2004 Kia Rio Review
Fuel Economy
24 - 26 mpg
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.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
155,000 miles and still running
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I commute appox 120 (highway) miles each day in the Midwest (extreme weather, including snow, 100 degree and below zero degree weather days) using this car. I currently have 155K miles on the car. I regularly change the oil (synthetic blend after 100K) and get the belts (timing) replaced every 60K miles. Just this year I have experienced some looseness in using 1st gear (manual transmission). My goal is to get 200K miles out of the car.
Favorite Features
Low cost, good gas mileage.
Suggested Improvements
Noticeable reduction in horesepower when using A/C (though not as noticeable on highway driving in 4th & 5th gears).
I love my 2004 Rio
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I just want to start off by saying that I previously owned a 2002 Kia Rio Cinco, I bought the car at 73,000 miles at 81,000 THE ENGINE SEIZED up I was so angry because I still owed $5000 on the car. I contacted Parker Toyota and to make the longs story short they wrote off the balance on that car and got me into my 2004 Kia Rio with only 13,000 miles. I have had awsome luck on this car granted I have only put 9,000 miles on it in 13 months, but it has never let me down. It drives great in the snowy conditions and gets great gas mileage. I have not experienced any problems when using the AC and let me tell you I live in Eastern Washington and we get a little bit of ALL the weather conditions.
Favorite Features
The arm rest for the driver, gas mileage and how small it is... VERY fun to drive.
Suggested Improvements
I would say maybe a 6th gear engine is a little loud at 70mph
NEVER BUY A KIA!!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 2 | Fun-to-Drive: | 2 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 2 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 3 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I was driving home down hwy 50 and the car suddenly shut off. There were 2 semi-trucks behind me that had to swerve to miss me! I was almost killed over this stupid car! As I drove it happened a few more times and it turned out to be the circuit breaker. Since then I have had probs with brakes, AC, axle, and now the trans! The car I drove before this gave me very few minor probs until the trans finally went out at 206k miles. The Kia only has 52K! Please listen to my advice and stay away from Korean cars or any Asian car for that matter
Favorite Features
The only things I like about this horrible car is that it gets good gas mileage and the speakers are surprisingly good.
Suggested Improvements
Cheap on gas, high on repairs
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This car gets good mileage, 33-41 mpg, but you pay for it in repairs. It is only 5 years old and I have had to replace a wheel bearing, after 3 years, the air intake x2 in 3 years, leaving us stranded both times. Front end feels out of alignment, even after getting alignment, and having new tires balanced. Driver's side wiper arm is stripped, most things are dealer items so spendy. Seat belt on driver side back seat quit working right after the 60,000 warranty ran out. Radiator overflow hose came off twice. Hubby threatens to sell it all the time.
Favorite Features
Good gas mileage, air conditioner works very well, should for $1,100 extra.
Suggested Improvements
never own another
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 2 | Fun-to-Drive: | 2 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 1 | Interior Design: | 1 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 3 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I've had my Kia for a few months now. The car has no take off. It ran at 4000 rpm going 65 mph then it dropped all 16 valves and blew the pistons into pieces
Favorite Features
the cup holders
Suggested Improvements
everything
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2009 Kia Rio
- 2008 Kia Rio
- 2007 Kia Rio
- 2006 Kia Rio
- 2005 Kia Rio
- 2004 Kia Rio
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