Overview & Reviews

For 2003, Kia gives the Rio a number of upgrades. Among these are a new 104-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine; various suspension tweaks to improve ride and handling; larger disc brakes; new engine mounts and exhaust tuning for a quieter cabin; and reinforcements to the steering wheel and column to minimize vibration. Inside, look for revisions to the instrument cluster, center console and door panels -- the latter will include storage bins and bottle holders -- as well as new seat fabric. New standard features include child-seat anchors, rear heater ducts, auto-off headlights, variable intermittent wipers and, on the wagon only, a CD player. In addition, Kia has added dual map lights and a sunglasses case to the sedan's Upgrade Package, and will offer the Power Package, which provides power windows and locks. Finally, both Rios get fresh front fascias and wheel covers; the sedan gets a sharper-looking tail and the wagon gets an optional body-color spoiler.

• Small price, big warranty, peppy engine, attractive styling.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 65.00

• 

  good little car - 2003 Kia Rio
  By altimax9091 - March 31 - 2:38 am

  i replaced the timing belt and water pump at 60k ...a lot of people dont know ...right now has 92k ..its been reliable ..really good in gas since its standar ..power windows terrible ..don`t work ..but i don`t care as long the a/c, heater works ..very cheap to fix , parts etc ..and looks easy , my friend has a rio that has 140k and still running strong

• 

  Disappointed. - 2003 Kia Rio
  By addii - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car second hand from a guy who drove mostly highway. In the few months that I have owned it The hatchback has locked up several times, the drivers side door only works half the time (meaning I have to climb out the passenger seat). The car has stalled on me in mid-intersection. The engine light came on and car started to lug, had to pull over it lost all acceleration. The engine constantly revs and drops back down making it impossible to get to the speed you want easily. The back right window will not open from drivers panel. Overall Im really unhappy with this car and regret buying it.

• 

  Good Commuter Car - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Baunie - March 14 - 7:10 am

  This baby gets me back and forth to work with no problems. Takes $20 to fill up. It goes to 0 to 60 in five minutes, but once it is up to speed, it zips around. Just dont expect to get back up to speed if you have to suddenly brake. And dont dart out in front of traffic, you will be sorry. I did not buy it for luxury. I needed a car and this was affordable and has been reliable for the last two years. However, I think I am going to be out of luck on re-sale value.

• 

  good - 2003 Kia Rio
  By erndew1 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  fun to drive economical - little more power and bigger gas tank would be pluses - but fairly well satisfied after six months

• 

  Kia Rio - 2003 Kia Rio
  By D - November 10 - 2:30 am

  I had this car for two years and had a lot of problems with it mechanically. Through the short time I had it, it dropped a cylinder, the timing belt broke, bending all of the valves and the ball bearing went bad three times. It was very fuel efficient and not a bad deal for the price, but there is a reason that they are so inexpensive.

• 

  Build quality - 2003 Kia Rio
  By kramer - June 15 - 2:16 am

  Overall the car has been reliable, requiring little maintenance. However many smaller items such as door handles, rear hatch handle, wiper arms, and headlight bulbs fail. Also horn no longer works, keyless entry no longer works, and power locks malfunction, indicating poor electrical system.

• 

  Good Running Car - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Jenevra Smith - November 15 - 5:28 am

  This has been a great car. I bought it used in 2006 and it now has 130000 miles and is still running great. Im on the second timing belt, and replaced the clutch at 120000. I try to keep up on the scheduled maintenance, and this car has never left me stranded. I will drive it until it falls apart.

• 

  Not a bad ride - 2003 Kia Rio
  By molly - April 23 - 9:30 pm

  The car had limited power but was reliable and had amazing gas mileage. There were numerous problems but each was a low cost repair or not worth repairing. All door locks failed to work, doors would not stay shut in the winter, interior lights flashed, check engine light turned on and off, there was always oil in the 3rd cylinder, clutch began wearing at 70,000 miles, front brakes were replaced at 60,000 miles. Various noises started coming from the front end or engine after about 60,000 miles. I miss the fuel economy but the car was traded in at 78,000 miles do to numerous problems. Though because of reliability, I upgraded to another kia product.