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2008 Kia Rio Full Review
Date Published: 4/15/08
Also in the 2008 Kia Rio Review:
2008 Kia Rio Review
The 2008 Kia Rio and Rio5 are largely unchanged, but the Rio5 is now available in LX trim. Rio comes as a 4-door sedan in base, LX, and SX trims. Also available is a 4-door hatchback called Rio5; it comes in LX and SX trim. All have a 110-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard. A 4-speed automatic is available on LX and SX. Available safety features include ABS, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Rio shares its powertrains and underskin design with the Accent from Kia's parent company, Hyundai.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. The subcompact class is made up of the smallest hatchbacks, sedans, and wagons on the market. These are generally considered economy cars.
Our Best Buys include the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, and Suzuki SX4. Our Recommended pick is the Honda Fit.
New or significantly redesigned models include the Scion xD and Smart ForTwo.
Our Best Buys include the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, and Suzuki SX4. Our Recommended pick is the Honda Fit.
New or significantly redesigned models include the Scion xD and Smart ForTwo.
News
Rio's 2006 redesign should basically stand pat for a while, save the usual yearly shuffles to trim and minor features.
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2008 Kia Rio Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Fuel economy | Acceleration (automatic transmission) |
| Instruments/controls | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Rio is adequate around town with either transmission but could use more power for highway passing. The manual transmission shifts easily and has light clutch action. In Consumer Guide testing, a manual transmission sedan did 9.4 seconds 0-60 mph. The smooth automatic transmission kicks down quickly enough to summon what power is available, but a similar Hyundai Accent sedan took a lengthy 11.1 seconds 0-60.
| LX, manual | Rio5 SX, manual | Rio5 SX, automatic | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
Rio is adequate around town with either transmission but could use more power for highway passing. The manual transmission shifts easily and has light clutch action. In Consumer Guide testing, a manual transmission sedan did 9.4 seconds 0-60 mph. The smooth automatic transmission kicks down quickly enough to summon what power is available, but a similar Hyundai Accent sedan took a lengthy 11.1 seconds 0-60.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, manual-transmission LX sedans averaged 27.2-28.4 mpg, including gas-eating performance runs. In city/highway driving, a manual-transmission Rio5 averaged 30.1 mpg. An automatic-transmission equipped Rio5 averaged 23 mpg in all city use. Rio uses regular-grade gas.
| LX, manual | Rio5 SX, manual | Rio5 SX, automatic | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 7 | 7.9 |
In Consumer Guide testing, manual-transmission LX sedans averaged 27.2-28.4 mpg, including gas-eating performance runs. In city/highway driving, a manual-transmission Rio5 averaged 30.1 mpg. An automatic-transmission equipped Rio5 averaged 23 mpg in all city use. Rio uses regular-grade gas.
Ride Quality
Rios are solidly built and are generally comfortable subcompacts. Still, there is some jouncing on wavy pavement, thumping on smaller bumps, and occasional jolts on larger disturbances.
| LX, manual | Rio5 SX, manual | Rio5 SX, automatic | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.8 |
Rios are solidly built and are generally comfortable subcompacts. Still, there is some jouncing on wavy pavement, thumping on smaller bumps, and occasional jolts on larger disturbances.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Urban-friendly size is abetted by quick and accurate steering. SX models feel almost sporty, but fall short of the mark due to weak low-end power and wimpy tires. All Rios have moderate cornering lean. SX models have adequate grip, but base and LX models tend to noseplow. Gusty crosswinds affect straightline stability. Available ABS furnishes good stopping control and pedal feel. But a test LX without ABS suffered early rear-wheel lockup in rapid braking on wet roads.
| LX, manual | Rio5 SX, manual | Rio5 SX, automatic | Class Average |
| 4 | 5 | 5 | 4.9 |
Urban-friendly size is abetted by quick and accurate steering. SX models feel almost sporty, but fall short of the mark due to weak low-end power and wimpy tires. All Rios have moderate cornering lean. SX models have adequate grip, but base and LX models tend to noseplow. Gusty crosswinds affect straightline stability. Available ABS furnishes good stopping control and pedal feel. But a test LX without ABS suffered early rear-wheel lockup in rapid braking on wet roads.
Quietness
The engine is noisy at higher rpm. Cruising is less noisy with the automatic transmission vs. the manual. There is moderate wind rush. Rios have lots of tire thrum over coarse pavement and some thumping over bumps.
| LX, manual | Rio5 SX, manual | Rio5 SX, automatic | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.2 |
The engine is noisy at higher rpm. Cruising is less noisy with the automatic transmission vs. the manual. There is moderate wind rush. Rios have lots of tire thrum over coarse pavement and some thumping over bumps.
Controls
The gauges are clear, and the large, handy audio and climate controls are angled toward the driver.
| LX, manual | Rio5 SX, manual | Rio5 SX, automatic | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.6 |
The gauges are clear, and the large, handy audio and climate controls are angled toward the driver.
Details
Most cabin surfaces are hard plastic, and padded surfaces are pretty much out of the question. Overall, though, Rio equals some costlier cars for materials and assembly quality.
| LX, manual | Rio5 SX, manual | Rio5 SX, automatic | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.6 |
Most cabin surfaces are hard plastic, and padded surfaces are pretty much out of the question. Overall, though, Rio equals some costlier cars for materials and assembly quality.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Headroom and legroom are good. The seats are firm and comfortable. Larger drivers may want wider cushions, and tall occupants will want more rearward seat travel. The driver seat adjusts for height and has a fold-down right armrest. A tilt steering wheel is standard in all but the base sedan. Visibility is decent all around in both sedans and hatchbacks.
| LX, manual | Rio5 SX, manual | Rio5 SX, automatic | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.4 |
Headroom and legroom are good. The seats are firm and comfortable. Larger drivers may want wider cushions, and tall occupants will want more rearward seat travel. The driver seat adjusts for height and has a fold-down right armrest. A tilt steering wheel is standard in all but the base sedan. Visibility is decent all around in both sedans and hatchbacks.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Rear legroom is rather tight when seated behind a tall front passenger. Entry and exit are a strain when the front seats are set far back. Most adults will be fine for short trips only.
| LX, manual | Rio5 SX, manual | Rio5 SX, automatic | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3.1 |
Rear legroom is rather tight when seated behind a tall front passenger. Entry and exit are a strain when the front seats are set far back. Most adults will be fine for short trips only.
Cargo Room
All but the base sedan have split folding rear seatbacks. The sedan's doesn't lie flat, it rests above the level of trunk floor, and the opening is cramped. The release is awkwardly placed toward the center of the seats. The trunklid hinges dip into the load area. Rio5 has more total volume, handy backrest releases, and a flip-forward seat bottom that lets seatbacks lie nearly flat. Interior storage includes five small bins, but there is only a small glovebox and no console cubby.
| LX, manual | Rio5 SX, manual | Rio5 SX, automatic | Class Average |
| 3 | 7 | 7 | 4.5 |
All but the base sedan have split folding rear seatbacks. The sedan's doesn't lie flat, it rests above the level of trunk floor, and the opening is cramped. The release is awkwardly placed toward the center of the seats. The trunklid hinges dip into the load area. Rio5 has more total volume, handy backrest releases, and a flip-forward seat bottom that lets seatbacks lie nearly flat. Interior storage includes five small bins, but there is only a small glovebox and no console cubby.
Value within Class
These smallest Kias are best suited to undemanding, low-speed work. That's not unexpected in the subcompact class. What makes Rio a Best Buy is that it's a surprisingly well-built low-price car with a strong warranty. It also delivers a lot for the money, notably standard front side airbags and curtain side airbags. The base sedan offers no options, so you must move up to a costlier LX or SX to get such features as air conditioning, automatic transmission, and ABS.
| LX, manual | Rio5 SX, manual | Rio5 SX, automatic | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 8 | 6.9 |
These smallest Kias are best suited to undemanding, low-speed work. That's not unexpected in the subcompact class. What makes Rio a Best Buy is that it's a surprisingly well-built low-price car with a strong warranty. It also delivers a lot for the money, notably standard front side airbags and curtain side airbags. The base sedan offers no options, so you must move up to a costlier LX or SX to get such features as air conditioning, automatic transmission, and ABS.
Total Score
| LX, manual | Rio5 SX, manual | Rio5 SX, automatic | Class Average |
| 57 | 62 | 57 | 54.9 |
Scores for all Subcompact Cars
| Low Score | 40 | |
| Average Score | 54 | |
| High Score | 63 |
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2008 Kia Rio Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 10/09/2007
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| Base 4-door sedan, manual | $10,890 | $10,465 | $625 |
|
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| LX 4-door sedan, manual | $12,815 | $12,160 | $625 |
|
|
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| LX 4-door sedan, automatic | $13,665 | $12,970 | $625 |
|
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| Rio5 LX 4-door hatchback, manual | $12,915 | $12,250 | $625 |
|
|
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| Rio5 LX 4-door hatchback, automatic | $13,765 | $13,060 | $625 |
|
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| SX 4-door sedan, manual | $13,615 | $12,915 | $625 |
|
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| SX 4-door sedan, automatic | $14,465 | $13,730 | $625 |
|
|
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| Rio5 SX 4-door hatchback, manual | $13,870 | $13,160 | $625 |
|
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| Rio5 SX 4-door hatchback, automatic | $14,715 | $13,965 | $625 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Base
Powertrain
1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, emergency inside trunklid release.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/height-adjustable driver seat, center console, tachometer, rear defogger, variable-intermittent wipers, automatic-off headlights.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
175/70R14 tires.
LX adds to Base:
Powertrain
5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital-media player connection (Rio5), rear wiper/washer (Rio5).
Appearance and Miscellaneous
185/65R14 tires (Rio), 195/55R15 tires (Rio5), wheel covers.
SX adds to LX:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, rear spoiler, 195/55R15 tires, alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
Power Pkg.
|
||
|
LX, SX
|
$600
|
$535
|
|
Heated power mirrors, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, upgraded sound system.
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Safety |
||
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Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes
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LX, SX
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$400
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$357
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Requires Power Pkg.
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Comfort and Convenience Features |
||
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Floormats
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Base, LX, SX
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$85
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$65
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Appearance and Miscellaneous |
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Rear spoiler
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Base, Rio LX
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$300
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$250
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205/45R16 tires
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SX
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$200
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$175
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Requires Power Pkg.
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Get a FREE Price Quote:
2008 Kia Rio Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Kia Rio 4-door hatchback | Kia Rio 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| Overall Length, in. | 158.1 | 166.9 |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.7 | 66.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 57.9 | 57.9 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2438 | 2365 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 49.6 | 11.9 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 11.9 | 11.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.8 | 42.8 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.8 | 37.8 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 34.3 | 34.3 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc I4 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 1.6 /98 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 110 @ 6000 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 107 @ 4500 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 5-speed manual | 27/33 |
| 4-speed automatic | 25/35 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Kia Rio 4-door hatchback | Kia Rio 4-door sedan |
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 | 5 |
| Rollover Resistance | 4 | 4 |
| Side Impact, Driver | 4 | 4 |
| Side Impact, Rear Passenger | 3 | 3 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | 10/100,000 | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 5/60,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 5/100,000 | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 5/60,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
South Korea
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive
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Also in the 2008 Kia Rio Review:
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Vehicle History Report
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