2001 Kia Rio Sedan Review | Edmunds.com
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2001 Kia Rio Sedan

 
 
 
Edmunds Review (64) MPG

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Kia Rio Features and Specs

Features & Specs

  • Engine 1.5 L Inline 4-cylinder
  • Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive
  • Transmission 4-speed Automatic
  • Horse Power 96 hp @ 5800 rpm
  • Fuel Economy 22/28 mpg
  • Bluetooth No
  • Navigation No
  • Heated Seats No
See All Features & Specs
 

Review of the 2001 Kia Rio

  • This is America's cheapest car. If you're low on ducats and are absolutely addicted to that new-car smell, the Rio should do well by you.

  • Safety

  • Pros

    Unbeatable price, peppy engine, decent build quality relative to price point, inoffensive styling, great warranty package.

  • Cons

    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.

  • What's New for 2001

    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…

 
What Others Are Saying

Customer Reviews

  Average Consumer Rating (64 total reviews)

Love it

by on
Vehicle: 2001 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)

i absolutely love my kia. i got my rio sedan with about 83,500 miles on it and now has 90,000+. when i bought it the fuel pump was about done with itself so i bought a new fuel pump for $110 and works gret now. while takes a minute to gety up to speed on the highway because of the engine size, the car works great in town.i am nothing but excited to drive this car all the time. sometimes i will find myself just leaving the house to take a cruise just for the sake of driving it. the front ond was rattling alot but i just wrapped some electrical tape around the hook to hole the hood down and it stopped.great car i have owned. my car came with the original radio stereo and has only a tape player


1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Love my little car

by on
Vehicle: 2001 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)

This little car has been a great one. No issues with regular oil changes, tires, and brakes. It is a tiny car and really only fits the driver comfortably. Kids in the back have absolutely NO leg room,and if you have a passenger next to you be prepared to be close...really close.This little car never did me any wrong, and with had no frills, there was never anything extra to break. It was my daily commuter. The heater in this car works amazingly! Cold start to fully thawed in 5min flat! After ten years it has began to rattle itself to death. To the point where I no longer want to drive on the freeway. I have no interest in getting my little beater fixed, just gonna drive it till it dies.



Good first car

by on
Vehicle: 2001 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

I bought it used with 98,000 miles. Now it has 138,000. I have driven it across the country and back, with no porblems and good gas mileage Mine gets in the low 30's city, and high 30's highway. It doesnt have much power, put it still runs good at 80 mph, and topped it out at 116. If you don't mind an odd looking car, then get it. It dont have ac or power steering, but its small and not hard to steer, and ac is overated.



Problem child

by on
Vehicle: 2001 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

I inherited my Rio and have had problems with the motor mounts (heavy shaking). The engine light continued to come on and when I had taken it for a diagnostic they couldn't find the problem. Then we started replacing everything coil, wires, plugs etc. The engine light still came on of course they charged me for another diagnostic! Replaced the #1 fuel injector less than a year ago, seemed to fix the problem. Guess what! The engine light is on again and it's misfiring again due to the #1 fuel injector. This car has been nothing but a HUGE MONEY PIT! My mother is probably rolling over in her grave and very sorry she left me this trash car.



No real complaints

by on
Vehicle: 2001 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

I bought my rio with 60,000 miles on it, it now has 128,000 and have done nothing but replace the rear wheel bearings, it's very gutless but the manual tranny helps. it should have been made a coupe or roadster, since the backseat is pointless, and a manual w/o a tach. is just silly, but very relaible, economic, and out does all those useless SUV's in every way, especially the handling! I love my car, even though it's not perfect



Shake shake shake!

by on
Vehicle: 2001 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Oh my little kia! I got this car in 2007 with 45k on it as a gift from a friend. Great on gas and does pretty well on the hgwy, but, it shakes and shakes, It's noisy like it shook something loose in frnt and no one can figure out why.really my only complaint about my kia. I also have an issue with staying aligned though it may be my own issue as we like to drive dirt roads, this car will take you anywhere, if you don't mind being slow on the hills it's a good ride, I also feel safe, I have been in 2 accidents Though minor and while the other car sustain ample damage the kia had only a paint scratch in each accident...I love this car


 
 
 
Gas Mileage

EPA-Rated MPG

  • 22
  • cty
/
  • 28
  • highway
Calculate Yearly Fuel Costs
 

Other Rio Years

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Full 2001 Kia Rio Review

What's New for 2001

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.

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