2004 Kia Rio Consumer Reviews

Buying a used Rio

Written by: Rio Owner on 09/25/2008

Vehicle

2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I recently bought a used 2004 Rio. Overall it handles beautifully on Highway and city driving, 45 MPH is ideal. On the freeway it is a rough. I live on a hill and it feels like I am driving over ripples when I hit the brakes to slow down. It is a little alarming at first, it feels like a flat tire. I do like the car, it looks nice also and can be found relatively cheap used and with low miles.

Favorite Features

Very comfortable for the driver Steering and handling is very fluid on a smooth road. Seems to save as much gas as my old Toyota.

Suggested Improvements

The suspension will be a problem for those who need to drive freeways of old roads frequently.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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great buy

Written by: Will Lowe on 07/01/2008

Vehicle

2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is a great car for what you pay for it. For what you spend on gas a year, it will pay itself off in 3 years. At 4.55 a gal I pay $32 to fill it up. I get 40 mpg hwy and 32 city. I have 43,000 mile and runs great. Dependable and reliable. There is one thing that is flawed with it design when you drive it make a noise when your on the h. W it whistles when the wind hits it at a certain direction. The A.C. kind of sucks but the climate here in the bay area is nice and cool.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Worse car ever

Written by: littlebluetoad on 06/25/2008

Vehicle

2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this car in january of 06, it ran fine until june the following year where just randomly the engine died so i spent 3k to get it fixed then on top of that i had the cooling motor die the brakes have been replaced a few times already, and now even after the newer engine its still giving me problems. I am scared to get into my car and drive it every day in fear of it breaking down on me. Also, as others have mentioned, the AC sucks all the power out of the car so in the hot summer you can't always have it on. I feel bad for those i see who just bought a kia rio and are driving it around. Plus the resale value goes down a couple grand right off the lot. it's not worth it at all!!

Favorite Features

CD player

Suggested Improvements

the engine, brakes, the a/c the power and the reliability and stability of the car

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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My little bug

Written by: donald roberts on 02/22/2008

Vehicle

2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I think my Kia Rio is a pretty neat, reliable car. If I had a son or daughter I'd feel safe in giving it to either of them for a 19th birthday. It has never given me any mechanical problems to deal with and the gas mileage is pretty good too. However, I think I will trade it in on a Toyota Prius at the end of this year, if I don't buy a new home.

Favorite Features

It has good gas mileage, and the body styling isn't bad either.

Suggested Improvements

I think that Kia needs to change the Rio to a hybrid. Hybrids should be the future of automobiles in my opinion.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great little car

Written by: huff3 on 05/19/2007

Vehicle

2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought my Rio used, had all servicing done. Still under warranty. Had this car on a 1k trip last month. Got anywhere from 29 to 33 mpg. Had no problems at all. I have just had 60 k service done, new timing belt, etc. This must be done on time for 4 cylinder engines. This Rio is very reliable, uses no oil, is easy to park, has an adjustable driver’s seat (helps on long trips). Best thing about this car is the warranty. It is much longer than US cars and the service department never gives me a hard time. Better yet is gas mileage.

Favorite Features

Driver arm rest, seat adjustment, gas mileage, good brakes, electric windows and auto door locks. Good visibility. Looks good.

Suggested Improvements

Fold down rear seat.

1 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Enough Car for the Road

Written by: Light foot on 10/20/2006

Vehicle

2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My only beef is that if you happen to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a burned out tail light, and eager to replace it before you get back on the highway, don't rely on the owner's manual for proper instructions to replace it. Even the dealer's tech had difficulty. The company needs to send every owner an addendum that truly instructs on how to replace a tail light. Otherwise you will be one frustrated driver and prone to a police stop. The existing manual has only two instructions. The second one is "Carefully remove the tail light assembly from the body." Duh!

Favorite Features

The tachometer is the grown-up's toy.

Suggested Improvements

By owning this car you will get basic transportation. After all, all cars have to follow the same rules of the road. You won't be disappointed if you do. If the company is truly interested in owners doing their own low level maintenance, the manual should be more detailed in those areas.

4 out 6 people found this review helpful

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A Great Little Car!

Written by: armyboy404 on 10/12/2006

Vehicle

2004 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I've had my Cinco for 6 months now and it has been GREAT! I live in metro Atlanta so driving is a way of life around here. My Cinco handles wonderfully. I've also done long distance driving and it was very comfortable.

Favorite Features

I like the interior a lot. All the controls are easy to handle. The fold down rear seats and cargo space are incredible too.

Suggested Improvements

Cruise control would be nice for those long trips. Otherwise there's nothing I can think of.

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No Complaints here

Written by: TheDrake on 06/28/2006

Vehicle

2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought my Rio in March of 2004 and I love it to bits. I have no complaints and I think I will always own a KIA. They have impressed me with there service and I love my car.

Favorite Features

That I have never had a warranty issue and I have heard the nightmares from other manufacturers. Warranty is awesome. It is fun to drive and does everything I need.

Suggested Improvements

None, have you seen the new Rio's they are only getting better.

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This car NOT OKia

Written by: carl on 03/11/2005

Vehicle

2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Extremely disappointed in the car, have made 7 trips to the dealer for warranty service on a wind noise, door handle operation, transmission has been replaced twice within 24,000 miles and the car is way underpowered and loses speed rapidly when going up any even slight incline. God forbid you are running the air conditioner as it sucks the remaining horsepower right out of the engine and the engine runs extremely rough with the A/C compressor engaged. Great that there is a 100,000 mile warranty, but believe me you have to use it all the time! Dealership service mechanics are also incompetent.

Favorite Features

The radio/ CD is ok, driver seat comfortable. It could be a fun little car to drive with more HP.

Suggested Improvements

More horsepower to improve acceleration and performance when A/C is on, better handling.

2 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Good Commuter Car, Got it a Great Price

Written by: pslims on 01/13/2005

Vehicle

2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I got my 2004 Rio last month. I was looking for a commuter car to drive about 20-30 minutes on the highway to work. So far I am pleased with the car. It was manual transmission (the automatic drove horrible) and manual windows, locks, no ABS, no stereo. Overall, I am happy with the car as a commuter car. I probably would not have bought this car but for the price I paid, it was definitely worth it.

Favorite Features

1. Price --- brand new 2004 Rio for $6500! It was manual transmission (which is ok because the automatic drove horrible) 2. Gas Mileage: I drive mostly highway and get 30 - 34 mpg 3. Warranty: 10yr 100K powertrain, 5yr 60K mile bumper to bumper 4. Engine Power: zippy 5. Safety: adequate.

Suggested Improvements

1. Bad Suspension - does not take bumps well. I will try to add better shocks and tires 2. Needs 6th Speed - at 65-70 mph, sounds like it needs to shift 3. Engine Smell for the first 1000 miles. The dealer said a temporary engine spray coating burns and makes the smell.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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