EDMUNDS.COM 2004 KIA RIO
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
The Rio and Rio Cinco are the lowest-priced sedan and wagon on the market, and they feel that way. Buy one only if you must have a new-car warranty; otherwise, spend your money on a nice used car.
Pros
Small price, big warranty, peppy engine, attractive styling.
Cons
Unrefined handling, five-speed manual''s rubbery shift action, mediocre fuel economy.
What''s New for 2004
Alloy wheels are now standard on the Cinco wagon. Lumbar support has been added to the driver seat in all models, and the center console armrest gets extra padding.
Overview
Introduction:
Introduced for the 2001 model year, the Kia Rio has the distinction of being the lowest-priced sedan sold in the United States. In 2002, it gained a sidekick, the Rio Cinco wagon, which is basically a five-door hatchback and, in any case, also the least expensive vehicle of its kind. Both Rios are small compacts, and their closest competitors are the Chevrolet Aveo, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Echo and the Scion xA. Previous experience has shown the Rio to be a generally unsatisfying car, despite the fact that Edmunds'' editors are no strangers to bare-bones economy-car ownership. Although we find the Rio''s styling inoffensive enough and appreciate such thoughtful features as a driver-seat height adjuster and a center armrest, we haven''t been able to overlook the car''s unrefined suspension, which results in significant torque steer under hard acceleration and a rough ride over bumps and ruts, or the overly rubbery linkage of its manual transmission. And while overall build quality and materials aren''t bad for a car in this price range, the Rio can''t match the solid construction of a gently used Japanese compact -- or a late-model Hyundai Elantra for that matter.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The Rio is offered in two models -- a sedan and a wagon called the Rio Cinco, which is basically a five-door hatchback. Standard equipment on the sedan includes 14-inch wheels with plastic wheel covers, a driver-seat height adjuster, a fold-down driver armrest, variable intermittent wipers and rear defrost. The wagon is a bit better equipped, as it also comes with alloy wheels, a CD player, power steering, a tachometer, steering wheel tilt adjustment, vanity mirrors, map lights, a sunglasses case and body-side moldings; the alloy wheels and CD player are available as stand-alone extras on the sedan and everything else is part of the Upgrade Package. Other options you may want to consider for both models include air conditioning, ABS and power windows and locks.
Powertrains and Performance:
Every Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter, inline four-cylinder engine that generates 104 horsepower and 104 pound-feet of torque, and buyers have their choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Either way, you won''t have a lot of power to work with off the line, but let the engine rev up and you''ll have ample pep for everyday driving. Fuel economy isn''t very good for a subcompact -- the Rio is rated for 26 mpg city/33 highway with a manual gearbox and 25/32 with an automatic. The Toyota Echo and Hyundai Accent are superior in this regard.
Safety:
As you would expect, safety features are minimal; antilock brakes at least are optional. All Rios have height-adjustable seatbelts in front and child-seat anchors in the back. Should you decide to put three people in the backseat, the center passenger will make do with a lap belt. The Rio''s crash test scores were decent, as the car earned four out of five stars for driver and front-passenger protection in frontal impacts and three stars for front- and rear-occupant protection in side impacts.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
On the inside, the Rio feels bare, but we take comfort in its simple layout and thoughtful features (the driver seat-height adjuster, for example). Controls are generally large and easy to find, and the front seats are relatively comfortable. The rear seat feels like a park bench but offers more hip- and shoulder room than other subcompacts'' backseats. The Rio Cinco earns its keep by offering 24.8 cubic feet of luggage space (compared to the sedan''s 9.2-cubic-foot trunk); fold down the 60/40-split rear seat and you''ll have 44.3 cubes.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
The Rio offers basic transportation and little more -- pretty much what you''d expect of the cheapest sedan (and wagon) on the market. Provided you keep engine rpm up, everyday driving maneuvers can be accomplished with relative ease, and the Rio can stay with the flow of traffic on the highway.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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