2001 Kia Rio Review
Fuel Economy
26 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
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.
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 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.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
No real complaints
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
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
Favorite Features
Handling, fit's in tight spaces, fuel economy, stopping distance, and ease of maintenance.
Suggested Improvements
keep it lightweight, don't increase interior space, remove the rear doors or give a two door option, add internal trunk access, and a tachometer, and a few more ft.lbs. of torque wouldn't hurt either
Shake shake shake!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
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
Favorite Features
Easy to drive, nice body style still not sure about the "gold" color but I get lots of compliments, comfy inside and the gas mileage is out of this world a cheap fill @ 18.00 per fill and only need to fill every 2 weeks.
Suggested Improvements
Better paint durability (fades and chips easily) Fix the knocking noise and bring in some cruise control!
Gets you where you need to go
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this car from my uncle in late 2008, it had about 88,000 miles on it and I have only put about 3,500 miles on it. It runs pretty nice..better than i had expected. My uncle took very good care of it because the interior still looks great. The car starts always starts right away and i kinda like the sound it makes when you accelerate and the radio is off. Speaking of the radio, mine has the stock with CD player on it, its pretty decent, but will probably put a new one in. Can drive to high speeds(highway)if need be, but most of my driving is in town. Overall, this car has been reliable & hopefully it will keep being a good car to me. I plan on driving it until the wheels come of.
Favorite Features
Radio Trunk Space A/C is Really Cold/Really Warm MPG Peppy engine Gets me from point A to point B with no problems
Suggested Improvements
More power more comfortable seats gas and trunk opener inside the car foldable back seats for more space use better interior material paint
May It Rest In Peace
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I drove this car for 6 of it's 8 years of life.... Yesterday a Ford Expedition pulled out in front of me and I T-Bone it.... Air bags deployed as they were supposed to which probably save both my wife an my lives.... The Kia took all the impact and distroyed the front end but the inside was OK... We went to hospital but were relased with only minor nicks and scraps.... I just got back from getting our stuff out of the reckage and had to say good by to an old friend.. Except for minor fix ups and normal oil changes, this car has been a great car for me and my family...... I drive an average of 20,000 miles a year on the freeway and I got 32MPG.. It died with 150000+ miles on it.
Favorite Features
Gas Milage was still great on an 8 year old car... 32MPG on the highway.... I love driving a stick....
Suggested Improvements
A larger vehicle.... More room on the inside.... Keep the good gas milage....
garbage car of the year
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 1 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 2 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 2 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
i have a 2001 kia rio sedan and it is more time parked than running.I'm not satisfied with it's performance economy and service is so expensive.To find part is too difficult
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
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