Overview & Reviews
With a base MSRP that makes it the least expensive car in America, the roomy little Rio is a peppy 96-horsepower entry-level sedan. While the design and materials used on this car are nothing to write home about, build quality is impressively tight. And Kia's new Long Haul Warranty Program offers the added security of a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, along with impressive levels of bumper-to-bumper and roadside assistance coverage.
- Unbeatable price, peppy engine, decent build quality relative to price point, inoffensive styling, great warranty package.
- Ultra-light curb weight could equate to substandard crash protection, power windows and door locks unavailable at any price, cruise control is MIA from the option list.
User Reviews:
Showing 11 through 20 of 64.00-
Kia Rio - 2001 Kia Rio
By Taylor - February 27 - 8:26 amI have had terrible luck with this car. It is a very uncomfortable car, with not a lot of room. I have had to get so many things done to it in a matter of a year. Including speed sensors that corroded, It breaks down every now and then while driving it, The gear shifts get stuck at times and are too hard to move, The wire harness linking to the transmission had to be replaced as well. This car is not recommended by me.
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Kia Rio - 2001 Kia Rio
By greygeo - December 25 - 2:00 amReliable, fiesty, economical, great short drive vehicle. Interior is a little tight for long trips but its great handling and above assets make it an ideal choice for two or three people to transport
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Better Than They Say - 2001 Kia Rio
By JJackJoe1 - December 19 - 10:00 amThis is a peppy car - forget what a few reviewers (and motor magazine articles) are saying about the zip in this car. Its plenty fast, even uphill and certainly on the freeway. We are getting a consistent 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. There is lots of front seat room, decent rear seat room if you are careful (!), and a generous trunk space. The Rio handles nimbly. Our Rio has been very dependable with zero dealer repair needs. To tell you the truth, this Rio reminds me a whole bunch like the Honda Accord quality of the mid to late 80s. And thats good, folks!
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Should have bought a bicycle - 2001 Kia Rio
By Riky - November 26 - 10:00 amIve had this car for about 2 1/2 years. During the first month, the breaks started to squeel, the trim on the doors started to fall off, during snowy or even damp conditions the wheels would lock-up making the car slide rather than stop(maybe the tires?) the engine has been making a ticking sound for the past little while, etc. I sold my crx and took on the 4 year lease when I was in college (Im an idiot!) Íve been trying to find out how much it will cost to get out of the lease, but they have been dicking me around for a few weeks.
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Been a good one for me - 2001 Kia Rio
By spanky116 - September 20 - 10:00 amWell, I have had the car for a year now and have no problems whatsoever with it. It has never seen the dealership for anything. No recalls, no mechanical problems. Gets me about 35 to 36mpg on each tank of gas. Standard with air(cold air at that.)If you are looking for a cheap inexpensive vehicle for your kid or you to drive to work and back, then this is your car. I would not recommend it as your only car but for a second vehicle, you cant go wrong.
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One Year Review - 2001 Kia Rio
By Carlos L. Ortiz - February 6 - 2:00 amExcellent small cheap car. Great city milleage. Exceptional air conditioner system and nice stereo. Very reliable. Already over 15k miles, and have only had to do oil changes. Spending only about $40 a month on gas, or less. Still using same original tires and brakes. Very peppy engine, good for the hills.
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Thank God I got out!!! - 2001 Kia Rio
By TYLERALLEN1120AOL - December 20 - 2:00 amI BOUGHT MY CAR IN MARCH 2001 BRAND NEW! WHERE DO I START. LETS SEE.....WE ARE UP TO 25 TIMES IN THE SHOP AS OF TODAY! ENGINE LIGHT, AIR BAG LIGHT, LOSS OF POWER GOING 55MPH. YA WHAT ELSE DO I SAY. I HAVE A LEMON!! AND TO PROVE IT, KIA IS BUYING IT BACK. I HAVE A FEW THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THE CAR, NOT ITS ENGINE, BUT I LIKE ITS HANDLING AND IT DRIVES FUN!!WHEN IT WORKS!!! BUT THE ENGINE IS, I DONT KNOW SOMETHING IN MINE WAS WRONG??? I WENT THROUGH 3 WATER PUMPS, 2 O2 SENSORS, ALL NEW ELECTRICAL WIRES, YOU NAME IT,ITS BEEN DONE TO THAT CAR. WOW! ANYONE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS?? LAWYER PLEASE!! IT HELPS!
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Careful - 2001 Kia Rio
By Tiago Moraes - October 31 - 11:20 amWhen I bought my Rio it was clean, I mean clean like new, you could still smell that new car smell in it, the other owner took such a good care of it and I was very exited to have a car that was so new, so I drove it to work and home and one day when I parked the car at work a piston broke off and that was the end of the car, for no reason or now warning signs a piston broke and now I have to change the whole engine. Kia wont cover it (of course) now I have a car that looks new but doesnt run, it has only 60,000 miles and all three mechanics told me it was garbage, so be careful and listen to what people have to say.
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unreliable car - 2001 Kia Rio
By Jenn - October 10 - 1:16 amThis car has already gone through 3 transmissions and is about to get another one. I have never had a problem with transmissions on any other car that I have owned, so I know its not me. This car is more trouble than it is worth.
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You get what you pay for - 2001 Kia Rio
By samsonov - August 31 - 10:00 amI get great gas milage (38-43mph) but you get what you pay for. I have named it a "Utilitarian" car, I have the base model, with no bells or whistles. Only a few minor problems (even with 36,420 miles!) The stereo I had put in required a special wiring solution to bypass the fuse block because of shorting out in the fuse box(poor workmanship).
