Overview of the Kia Rio
Kia's original Rio was related mechanically to the Mazda 121 and Ford Festiva, though its reputation for quality was much poorer. The city car has continually increased in size over the generations, while quality has improved markedly over the years. The Kia Rio is offered as a hatchback, with Kia Australia deciding against adding the sedan version available in some other markets.
KIA RIO GENERATIONS (SINCE 2000)
2000-2005
2005-2011
2011-2016
2017 onwards
RUNNING COSTS
Fuel Consumption
1.4L 4-cylinder: 5.6 to 6.2 litres per 100km
= Highly economical.
= Good economy.
= Average fuel use.
= Heavy consumption.
Servicing
Every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever is sooner. Each service currently costs between $226 to $561. Kia Rio parts and accessoriescan be found on Gumtree.
SIMILAR MODELS TO KIA RIO
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: KIA RIO (2011 TO 2016)
Some more recent build Rios will still have be covered under the original manufacturer's warranty. However, Kia is only obliged to honour that warranty if the car has been serviced properly. So that's the absolute first check : the car's service history.
Any gaps in the service history mean the factory warranty might not apply, leaving you up the creek when you thought you were covered.
This isn't a Kia thing; it applies to all makes and models, it's just that the Kia warranty is so good, it keeps giving for up to six or seven years after the car was bought brand-new.
The biggest ongoing problem with this model Kia is a range of bangs, rattles and squeaks from underneath the car. A noisy engine sometimes led to complete engine replacement, but there have also been reports of suspension clunks and even creaking driveshafts which, in some cases, needed replacement.
So turn the radio off for the test drive and listen carefully to what the car is trying to tell you.