Comments on: 2007 Kia Rio LX Road Test

By: sean kelleher

sean kelleher — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:37:25 +0000

just brought a brand new rio 09 and very happy with it until i happened to lay down and look under the car and to my horror discovered the paint peeling from the sills on both sides!i returned the car to the dealer who informed me that it was normal!NOT GOOD ENOUGH!it turns out that many rio’s are peeling from this area and kia will do nothing for me.Beware potential buyers that the kia rio you are considering is probably peeling on the forcourt,just check it out if you dont believe me!!!i have been to otherdealers forcourts and true enough un registered new cars are also peeling.how many other cars in their range are also peeling?

By: david

david — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:36:52 +0000

I have read all the good comments about the kia rio they are just a wonderful little car. I own a 2001 rio never had a problem my daughter has a 2008 lx white manuel goes like a charm fantastic value, great warranty you won,t get me buying any other brand. All the others are overpriced the sooner the rest of australia knows it the better.

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By: Keepleft, MotAdv-NSW

Keepleft, MotAdv-NSW — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:03:17 +0000

KIA AUS have DELETED the rear fog light >2009 models, you get a plain rear bumper now. Now looks like a Getz – each just that more dangerous in heavy rain on the freeway, particularly in daylight.

A sign of our ‘weak, dumb’ ADR on the matter (ADR13 Part 8.5.1) which see’s AUS opt-out of the ‘mandatory’ global technical regulation on ther matter UNECE38 which allows cheapskate importers to skimp on safety gear.

This car is now off G/F’s shopping list in principle.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:43:49 +0000

My mate has a 1.4 Lx manual.
I have driven it alot around melbourne.
We went for a cruise down the great ocean road and i must say it had enough power but the handling was great.
a few time we have had boys in their 1.4 vw polo’s and the like pull up beside us at the lights and the little rio smoked them. Its kinda really happy to light up the front wheels in the wet and you gotta be really careful cause she will just spin both front wheels without trying. Also took her out past

By: Alan

Alan — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:57:04 +0000

Refering to my previous post a few minutes ago:
I opted for ABS Brakes – and was pleasantly surprised that they came with Rear Disk Brakes. Seem much more positive than the standard brakes. I also bought it with aftermarket Cruise – first time I’ve had it, but wouldn’t be without it now.

By: Alan

Alan — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:53:36 +0000

My ‘2006 1.6 has just done 45,000km. It replaced a big Volvo, which was a great car, but doing a lot of km, fuel was getting expensive – what’s more, I just wanted a new car.

The Rio is an amazing car for the money. Better ride and far more get-up-and-go than Jazz, better layout and steering than Colt, it’s got a real boot (unlike Yaris), the clutch is 500% better than Yaris as well. Good seat folding to make a big area to shift stuff. And it’s got a real spare (had to use it twice). Baby seat mounts are convenient, and don’t eat into boot space. It’s got a proper 60/40 seat split which includes the base, so you can carry either 1 or 2 people plus long stuff. Can’t do that in a Colt.

Nothing has fallen off, though the mount for the washer bottle filler had a crack where the bolt goes through, and I notice the paint on the small plastic centres of the hubcaps is crazed – they’ll replace them under warranty.

I get 6.9l/100 in a mix of suburb/motorway running – using Premium98. I found it’s marginally cheaper to use 98 (dearer to buy, but more economical)and gives a little more flexibility on hills etc.

Handling is safe rather than sporty. The original tyres are poor, but I replaced them with Goodyears at 15,000km, and that improved it, particularly in the wet. Gearshift is “ordinary”, but the engine is so torquey, that you use it ½ as much as you do in a Yaris or (particularly) a Jazz.

My lease is up in 6 months, and I’ll seriously consider another Rio (unless I go bigger again to a Magentis if they’ve brought in the diesel by then).

By: Dean

Dean — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:05:26 +0000

Guys, have had my kia rio since the beginning of 2006. Its a 2006 CVVT and I have done just on 76000km’s. I must say that I am very impressed with this car and am now thinking about trading it in on the 1.4 version. From what i’ve experienced, i’d recommend buying one without any hesitation whatsoever. In fact, my wife also has the same one! We bought two rios for the price of what one corolla-type car would have. We are very very impressed and would recommend anyone looking at these cars to buy one.

Dean.

By: Kia Driver

Kia Driver — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:12:37 +0000

I purchased a Demo Kia Rio last year in Grafton along with a 2004 model Mazda3 Maxx. I was under the impression that the Mazda would by far out run the Kia but, after a few weeks of driving I convinced her to swap keys with me. Over the Kia the Mazda only has an extra 5 airbags, slightly bigger boot, glovebox, & centre console storage, fatser accelration, 6disc CD, steering wheel radio controls & alloys. However, it still didn’t feel as comfortable or finished as teh Kia which had over the Mazda, Fog Lights, power socket, more comfortable seats, more leg room, more head room, better sound system, better air-conditioning & used 4.5L less feuol around town. Apart from not having steering wheel controls, everything is easier to reach, it has an almost silent ride, wind-screen wipers work quicker & more effectively, Hadlights are brighter, easier to read interior controls at a glance. Surprisingly it is even easier to see out of. I have the 1.6L variant & although it has 26KW less than mazda it seems just as fast. The Kia is a 4speed Auto & teh Mazda a 4speed tiptronic. The Mazda revvs at 3000rpm at 100km/h, teh kia revvs at 2300 at 100km/h. My Mazda has constant battery failiers, my Kia hasn’t had any problems in 13months (since i bought it). The only thing I dislike about the Kia is it has no floor mats & it totally bashed up from teh hail storm last year in Grafton. I give my Kia 4.5 stars & my Mazda 4.

By: Tracey

Tracey — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 10:16:34 +0000

Hey after driving to Sydney looking for second hand car (2005 or better Nissan Pulsar)had no luck with finding a good one came back thought Maitland had no luck. I had just sold my 2002 Nissan Pulsar which I have always been totally happy with. We stop at a car dealer in Maitland they told us to take the Kia Rio for a test drive and I was sold. Ordered it on the spot can’t wait for it to arrive.

By: lucas

lucas — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:26:40 +0000

Hey,today a freind and i went to our local kia dealer and test drove a Rio 1.4,and came away very impressed at the power and low level of noise for a 1.4 litre car!It was nice and supple in the suspension and also very smooth for a small car.Have not brought one yet,but i am thinking very seriously of buying one,just want to try the 1.6 before i make a decision!!Hey for 14K drive away with a 5 year warranty how can you go wrong? Hey can anyone tell me how much better the 1.6 is over the 1.4? thanks in advance!

By: Tony

Tony — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:40:52 +0000

Well after reading this road test and all the reports from all the other very happy owners,(except the last person)it’s convinced me to go for a test drive tomorrow morning. I drove past the local Kia dealer today (Sunday)and checked out a beautiful dark blue (Mica Sapphire) auto sedan and it looked a treat. I love the colour and it was offset by the dark bumper trim and the door protector strips.
The only thing I’ll miss is no cruise control, which I’ve had with most of my recent cars, but I guess at the current low price, you can’t have everything.
The car I want to trade-in is our old 1990 TP Magna, which hasn’t got cruisy anyway, so apples for apples there, but I would get expect half the fuel economy. From about 12.5Lt/100Kms around town, to 7Lts/100kms, I hope.

By: Harrry

Harrry — Tue, 06 May 2008 09:44:22 +0000

After having having one of these now for over 40,000 i can honestly say save your money and spend it on a better car, The engine is noisy as buggery , the power windows don’t shut properly my radio/cd has been changed 3 times , the gearbox change is extremely notchy, i could make the list longer but i don’t want to rant. This will be the last kia i buy!, All is good when the car has under 20-40 k but no.
Buy honda or VW better quality.

By: Chris Carbery

Chris Carbery — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:53:48 +0000

after a dissapointing hyundai 91 model we purchased a ford festiva (kia) a bit small but good value and very reliable,
then a 1999 kia sportage auto still have itat 120,000km & once again great value for money and very reliable,then a 2003 kia Rio hatch excellent car as big inside as a station waggon cheap to run and very reliable we presently have a kia Rio sedan as it is larger than the hatch excellent vehicle cheap and fun to drive excellent value.At work we have 5 auto Kia carnivals which we have been using since they first came on to the market we upgrade at about 40,000km They are excellent value and have proven to be a spacious and reliable people mover.
We will definately buy kia again.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 10:10:06 +0000

I just thought I would give an update on my 2006 Rio 1.6L auto sedan. The Rio has just done 30 000kms and also had its 30 000 km service last week. When I got the Rio back from the Kia dealer, the service had taken under three hours and there was something about the car that seemed to have made it go even better than it ever has gone. After 30 000kms and nearly two years I can honestly say this little Kia has just been fantastic and nothing has fallen apart on it either. This car just seems to have improved with more KMs on the clock as it seems to have more power but more smoothly than before. Am I happy I bought a Kia Rio, the answer is a resounding yes! I have driven and owned much more expensive and more powerful cars than the Rio but none of them have been as well built as this car and none of them have had the total reliability of the Kia. It’s a crying shame this country doesn’t make ANYTHING that is as well built as this car, I wouldn’t buy another large car ever again. I have had people laugh because I drive a Kia, well I was laughing when my brother-in-laws brand new Toyota Camry has had to go back to the dealership 3 times now for problems. Now my sister is going to buy a Rio as well, she was going to buy a Corolla but has been put off buy her husbands experiences with his car!
Thank you Kia for such a great little car.

By: Ray White

Ray White — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:00:08 +0000

Having owned my latter day Mini Cooper S cunningly disguised as an 07 Kia Rio 1.6 manual since October, I understand why the motoring press ignore Kias. The car is simply better than anything in its class and an embarrassment to the so called class leaders & I tried them all before secumbing to the $14,990 drive away with metallic paint! I commute weekly up the F3 and every work day in Sydney and am amazed at how well it conquers the long hills – Hawkesbury and Ourimbah, wot hill?. Have to use the Tomtom to tell me that, oops we are doing 118 real KPH again. Mighty Mouse literally flies on United’s 95 RON ethanol. This lead foot driving with aircon still gives low 7 l/100k…lovely little mouse, and it loves the corners too.
OK, so it’s a wee underdamped and undertyred – the money I saved in October will be well spent on dampers and wheel & tyre package, but the low noise levels, comfort and fun factor are marvellous.
Nope, I now simply recommend the Rio to all and sundry, and MM simply goes. In a word, brilliant.
Thank you Kia

By: ed Castle

ed Castle — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 04:09:47 +0000

Whats wrong with Korean Cars? I have a Ford Festiva 98 mod
it is in fact a KIA badged by Ford. It has done 514.000K
same engine usual cam belts at 100k ,outer cvs at 350k usual maintenance disc pads etc . Believe me when i say this little car has had a hard life!Would,nt hesitate buying any KIA product. In fact at least 5 people I know now drive KIA.s on the run my flivver is giving me.
This little car cost $12500 drive away.

By: Bassin074

Bassin074 — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:55:49 +0000

Hi. We just bought a new 07 model RIO with 40 kms on the clock with every option and some on it $20,000 . Stepping up to this car from a 30 year old piece of crap , so far we are very happy ( only done 34 kms ). We drove cars priced from $12,000 up to cars $24,000 and found the RIO to be the best for us. I will have to report back in 1 year and let you all know if i am still happy …!

By: Duck

Duck — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 03:54:21 +0000

Being the cheapest 5 door hatch in Australia that is a pretty good thing and it know costs $13,990 and thats the same price as a 3 door Hyundai Getz!But the quality is average and so is the ride but it is at a great price!

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 22:06:57 +0000

Somewhat reluctantly we test drove but then bought a 1.4 model Rio at a great drive away price. We have found it be be excellent value, well put together with a good (quiet/economical)engine – not super quick but this car actually performs far better than the 1.6 (Daewoo) Barina we couldn’t wait to trade in.
Having not owned a Kia before we have been very impressed with the overall quality of the car. We were put off the Rio by it’s earlier shape but the current model has changed all that.