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 1 through 10 of 64.00-
POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP - 2001 Kia Rio
By milesofprojects - December 9 - 2:00 ami BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 1/2001. i HATE IT. IT WAS CHEAP SO i BOUGHT IT. ITS TOO LIGHT, WAVERS IN WIND, RAIN, SNOW ANYTHING AND GETS ABOUT 15 CITY MILES PER GALLON. I SPEND MORE MONEY ON GAS THAN i DO OIL CHANGES AND REPAIRS. IS THIS NORMAL. A LOT OF THE REVIEWS SAY 30-38 MPG BUT THAT IS BS. mAYBE MINE IS DEFECTIVE.
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2001 KIA RIO - 2001 Kia Rio
By hallgnh - December 7 - 2:00 amLots of trouble when I first purchased vehicle. It took dealer four service visits to find the problem. I have had no problem for four months, about 6,000 miles,
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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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DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY - 2001 Kia Rio
By Laura - September 21 - 8:06 pmEver since Ive gotten my car its given me hell. Theres a squeaking in the right side (maybe the suspension) which the Kia dealer "doesnt know whats wrong with it". The check engine light comes and goes when it pleases. When the weather is cold my car stalls and doesnt shift well; revs really high before shifting into the next gear until the car is completely warmed up 30 minutes later. My brakes went out once - they all of a sudden started rubbing and were completely gone by the time I got home. This car is too light weight -- if theres a breeze you will be flying into the next lane. I havent been happy with this car or the dealership/ customer service since I got this car.
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Not worth it - 2001 Kia Rio
By Becca - December 6 - 7:26 pmI got this car 2 years ago, and honestly I would have bought something else if I had known what I know now. The check engine light comes on when there is nothing wrong. The parking brake light stays on constantly. It is not a comfortable ride. The vibration is terrible and the car often "jumps" when accelerating. Its not very safe. I was in a minor collision and the other drivers car was not damaged at all, but my bumper fell off and the seatbelt didnt even hold me in place as I bumped my chest into the steering wheel. Its great on gas, but there are much better cars out there for the price.
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i hate it - 2001 Kia Rio
By jba - June 19 - 2:00 amI have had many troubles since i had purchased this car. It has been in the shop a dozen times.Its great on gas but not very roomy . The price was right at the time or so I had thought but i would have never bought this car if i knew then what I know now.
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Get what you pay for - 2001 Kia Rio
By Kalamazoo - August 6 - 10:00 amThe price is very appealing (not to mention the warranty), but Ive had nothing but problems after purchasing my new KIA Rio. At only 900 miles, the computer was shot. I was without a car for over two weeks as the dealership in Lansing, MI had the part on order. No loaner car while waiting, never calling me with status, etc! Since then it has never ran very well .. makes a whistling sound going down the highway about 70MPH, hard starting, etc Steer clear of the 2001 Kia Rio!
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biggest waste of four years of payments - 2001 Kia Rio
By john kari - January 3 - 10:00 amwithin 6 months the tranny went four times the last time kia refused to repair the car would constantly bottom out and had trouble starting even after the oil was being replaced with sythetic oil the suspension would go so low it would cause the car to bottom out worst money ever spent do not buy this POS
