Comments on: Kia Rio Review & Road Test

By: Bluey Bonza

Bluey Bonza — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:17:14 +0000

The large hatch door/interior, with rear seats down and rear door access, allowed me to self-load and unload our dishwasher (laid down),to have it repaired off-site recently. This saved the repairers call-out fee, for a $37 part! Labour costs blew me away!(had to hand-wash 4 days)
Most of this long/cold winter large firewood and rear-yard
masonary ‘fill’ was transported home in my 2000 Rio (very
cautiously) on hilly Sydney tarmac surfaces,with aplomb.
I previously used a V6 Commodore wagon and trailer for this!

By: Bluey Bonza

Bluey Bonza — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:26:41 +0000

Ed Castle January 2008 is right-on. Rio 2000 design was ment to be that years Ford Festiva I believe.Rio took-over from Kia Mentor, which a friend owned one of.My Sept.2000 built Rio has had several recalls- 5 replacement rims; fuel rail/seals-connectors…labels fixed to the drivers A pillar indicate compliance.A clutch pedal bracket collapse{leaving the activating cable nothing to support against}when shifting down, going uphill, occured after clutch replacement around 80K kL. A stronger designed Kia bracket was fitted.I thought the clutch should`ve lasted longer,but there were two learners besides myself driving.Front disc brakes would grab in damp or moist conditions at low speed,which made smooth stopping difficult.Rear wheel bearings replacement occured earlier than expected,but then I had`nt bought a Rolls Royce. No trouble getting parts;some have Hyundai/Kia on them….and there were heaps of Excels sold! I like the `Classic` rounded body-lines rather than angular bodies of later models.Was the Sports model 1.6 or 1.8ltrs.? My other 2008 Kia Cerato 2ltr.had to wait 3 months for an auto trans.filter to arrive. Do`nt wait for 70K service,change it & fluid every 20K or 1-2 years. Extended maintenance schedules look good for fleet buyers.Yep, you`re right,I`ve not mentioned the 2007 model..these two may see me into a retirement home!Who cares if early Rio`s were called NODDY cars due to their lateral pitching when starting-off,changing gears and braking…I love boating also !!!

By: Sumpguard

Sumpguard — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:33:01 +0000

My partner’s RIO is 4 years old now and she hasn’t had a thing go wrong with it.

By: Bluey Bonza

Bluey Bonza — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 13:27:49 +0000

Rio 1.5ltr 4&5door sedans&hatches(same $12999 base price)5sp.manual(more for auto)arrived in Australia July
2000 My 5sp.Sept.built/Dec.selected/Jan.2001 purchased Emerald Green metalic hatch with optional remote locking & on-road costs =$16250.Drivers airbag;all-in-one radio/CD/digital clock;4 window winders;interior finish better than Hyundai/largest volume in it`s class;non-adjustable steering;plastic/acrid smell;40/60 split rear seats-3 head rests;rear DIN socket; airconditioning; tacko; man.adjust door mirrors;Kumo/other brand tyres-understeer included;under 950 kg; power to weight ratio fantastic! non-ABS..hair-raising emergency braking on damp sealed roads;power-torque steer to right-change gears & it dives left on dry roads.All the above standard,just add experienced driver & drive it casually or at 9/10ths almost everywhere.A basic FUN car; mine with only 120,000 km travelled in 10yrs.on-road (not always in a straight-line!)Loved the Kia brand…sold the 96 VS Commy wagon & down-sized to 08 Cerato hatch 2ltr.(last of old shape but modern-looking);auto/manual/tip-tronic floor shifter.Does Raymond Terrace N.S.W.to Brisbane on 55 Ltrs./auto mode/2 people & luggage.Has ABS in lei of cruise control.Love to own a Kia Koup 3 dr..The first model Rio shape ran until 2003 I think, with paint colour changes,then cosmetic changes took place.Loved to have bought a 1.6 Rio Sport years ago.

By: Teddy09

Teddy09 — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:41:49 +0000

Just traded a 2004 V6 Magna (beautiful car) for a 2007 Kia Rio. A bit of a culture shock however wanted to down size and the Kia seems to be good value for money. I am a lazy driver so opted for the 1.6L in auto. Only had it for 3 days but wow! It is the best little car I have ever driven (and I’ve had a few – getz, i30 etc). The sooner people stop knocking Korean cars the better – just ignorance – they should test drive and see quality and value for money. So to all you knockers out there, “get a life” and maybe you will save money too!

By: allanrnewton

allanrnewton — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 03:30:14 +0000

i have just bought a2007 kia rio 1600 with 35000km on it .Seems great but I am wondering what fuel consumpion it should have. Its n auto

By: Jabba the Hut

Jabba the Hut — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:52:14 +0000

I’d buy the new one just because you know you are buying a car with no unknown history. My partner’s Rio is an ’08 model. We have just managed to click it over to 30,000 k’s and it has been brilliant.

We’d readily buy another and can only imagine what this car will be like when it gets the new styling theme in a couple of years.

The most amazing part is that it cost the same money as a ford laser did 20 years ago. Yep ,we are impressed. At it’s last service they gave us a Mazda 2 for the day and we were glad to give it back.

By: franz chong

franz chong — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:35:31 +0000

driven a rental Kia Rio from Europcar for a day in Early 2009 when my Nissan Tiida had to go get it’s brakes repaired and wow what a fun little car.It was a 1.6 and so easy to drive about.Not sure what the turning circle is but It WOULD MAKE driving my Nissan look like steering the QE2.

By: Calvin

Calvin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:05:26 +0000

Im considering buying a Rio but undecided on which 1.4 or 1.6, also is it worth it buying a new one or used. I have seen an 2009 with 1285km 1.6 cvvt for $11800, a new one 2010 model is $14700 and does look better. Any thoughts

By: Martin

Martin — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:32:14 +0000

I wonder who the sad loser is that went through everyones comments giving them negative votes…?