Since its introduction back in '00 the Kia Rio has always been on my cars-to-avoid list and for good reason. The Rio Sedan may have boasted the cheapest base price tag on the market when it made its debut, however the Rio's small price tag came with some very large downfalls, i.e., no stereo, no power steering, inadequate performance, and some of the worst craftsmanship I have seen since the 1986 Hyundai Excel. In 2003 Kia made some dramatic improvements to the Rio, most notably to the powertrain. So, is this tiny sedan finally good enough to be competitive in the 2004 marketplace or should Hyundai (the makers of Kia) send this little sedan to the graveyard alongside its terrible Excel?
For the 2004 model year the Rio is available in two body styles; a 5 door wagon (dubbed the Cinco) and a 4-door sedan. In 2003 the Rio's front fascia was modified and the rear end got a new trunk lid, taillights and back bumper. In addition to appearance upgrades the Rio also received a larger DOHC 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine that produces an adequate 104 horsepower (up 9 horsepower from 2002 models). Two transmissions are available for the Rio; a 5-speed manual (equipped) and an optional 4-speed fully automatic ($900).
Driving Impressions:
The most notable difference with the 2004 models versus the pre 2003 models is the increase in performance. Although the specs indicate that there is only an increase of 9 horsepower, the Rio feels much more powerful with its new 1.6 liter engine. Off-the-line the 2004 Rio feels almost as quick as the base Honda Civic Sedan and the base Ford Focus. The only major negative here is that the Rio's engine sounds as though it is working constantly; there is no cruising speed where its DOHC 1.6 engine sounds or feels calm. Even under partial throttle the Rio sounds more like a 1980s Geo Metro (loud and unrefined) than a 2004 model vehicle.
I have never been exactly fond of the Rio's 5-speed manual gear box and the 2004 model's setup is no exception. To explain, the throws of the manual shifter are still too long and the clutch tends to make an annoying squeaky noise every time it is depressed. I had the same problem with the clutch in both the 2001 and 2002 models. On the plus side, the Rio offers excellent gearing for this particular engine and is one of the main reasons why acceleration is better than its horsepower numbers suggest. Unlike most economy cars where gear ratios are widely spaced to improve fuel economy, the Rio's close ratio gearbox helps the engine stay in its power band at almost all times when pushing this car to its limits, unfortunately fuel economy is sacrificed.
The Rio's largest performance asset has always been its ability to tackle twisty roads. Thanks to some handling upgrades, i.e., a larger stabilizer bar, handling has improved since 2002. The only problem here is that you have to be Arnold Schwarzenegger to drive the base models. To explain, the base models still don't come with power steering as standard equipment. The Rio may be a small sedan, but without power steering the car feels like a tank. If you have a bad back or just have not kept up on your palates routine then I highly suggest ordering the "upgrade package" at $400. This package includes power steering with tilt and a tachometer. Other than the steering woes the Rio exhibits very little body roll and is actually a fun little sedan to toss around on twisty roads.
Although the Rio's highway manners have improved over the past few years, this car still does not measure up to the competition. Why Kia decided that it needed such a low 5th gear ratio is beyond me, but this makes cruising at speeds of 70 MPH + downright annoying. The Rio also feels less than sturdy on the freeway and even modest winds can make the Rio feel like it's weathering a hurricane. Imperfections on the road are taken with a little more stride than the pre 2003 models, however Kia really needs to upgrade the entire suspension along with its poor braking system to make this car compete in such an overpopulated econobox market.
If you have sensitive ears and live in a mountainous area I highly suggest spending the extra cash on a more refined automobile. To explain, the Rio's engine screams when attempting to accomplish steep grades at high speeds. Although the larger 1.6 does a much better job accomplishing steep grades than the old 1.5 liter, there is still far too much engine noise in the cabin and having to downshift into 4th gear is still all too common.
Unfortunately the compromises you make dealing with such an unrefined automobile you are not rewarded with excellent fuel economy. The Rio receives just a marginal EPA rating of 25/33 with the manual transmission. With a 2003 model I have experienced about 34 MPG with very conservative driving (about 8 MPG less on the highway than the Toyota Echo and Corolla). With a fuel capacity of only 11.9 gallons fill-ups will also be common.
Interior:
I can't help but reminisce about my old 1989 Hyundai Excel every time I get into one of these Rio Sedans. While the slightly more expensive Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, etc., etc., are now coming with much more standard equipment, the base Rio Sedan has been left with just the bare necessities. Want a stereo? Sorry it will cost you extra. Want power door locks or windows? Better call your broker. The only noteworthy standard amenities in the Rio include the coin holder, dual airbags, and the cup holders. The interior of the Rio Sedan is not only as bare bones as it gets, but the craftsmanship is still not even up to 1990s standards. To explain, the door handles are nothing but cheap plastic levers, the manual window levers are tiny plastic appendages which look as if they came off a 1978 Chevrolet Chevette, and the overall quality of the materials feel and look dated.
If there are any pros to the Rio's interior they would have to do with the seating surfaces. Though hard to the touch, the upper and lower bolstering do an adequate job holding its occupants in place. Though not as roomy as the Civic or the Corolla, the 2004 Rio provides enough room in the front and rear for most adults (the Rio seats 5). Being 5'6" the only minor gripe I had with creature comfort was the lack of rear leg space. Stowage is also very limited. The trunk of the Rio is absolutely tiny, so if you plan on trucking around anything but groceries or a small suitcase I suggest looking elsewhere.
Price/Warranty:
The base price for the Kia Rio starts out at around $10,000. This is about $3,000 less than the base Honda Civic DX and about $3,500 less than the base Corolla. There is a catch here though. After you order all the equipment for your Rio to make it comparable to what comes standard for the Civic or Corolla there is only about a $500-$1,000 price difference. One thing that cannot be beat is the Rio's warranty. Kia offers a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty on all their vehicles.
Final Verdict:
The Kia Rio has evolved over the past 3 years, however this particular Kia product is still far from offering the quality and craftsmanship offered from Honda, Toyota, and even Ford. If you are in the market for an economical sedan I highly suggest avoiding the Rio and checking out some slightly more expensive automobiles. I feel that in the long run that extra $1,000 or so that you will spend on something else will prove to be money well spent.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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