2005 Kia Rio Review
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.
Cons
Unrefined handling, five-speed manual's rubbery shift action, mediocre fuel economy.
What's New for 2005
No major changes for the Rio this year.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
The Rio has it where it counts!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I can honestly say Kia built a tough little car with everything one would need a car to do. The 5 door wagon has more than ample cargo space and the front seats offer A LOT of leg room (I'm 6'5" and comfortable!) the handling is great, the acceleration is adequate but nothing to write home about and at 4.00 a gallon I fill up on about 40 bucks (due to the 11 gallon tank) I was in a wreck on I-285 in this car and while extensively damaged the car held together and even made it home and to the collision center and will be road worthy again in a week! This car saved my life! She can take a beating! Stereo system is great, view of the road is excellent! Lots of cargo space for a tiny wagon!
Favorite Features
Arm rests, tight steering, adjustable drivers seat, excellent dashboard layout, nice trim design, sharp looking car, awesome stereo, LOTS of front seat leg room! very safe and reliable care and no problems even after 70000 miles and I drive this baby A LOT! passing is no problem!
Suggested Improvements
I put in a K&N high flow air filter to increase power and fuel economy, as initial acceleration drags a little bit, but not much. The braking power leaves a bit to be desired, plan your stopping well ahead.
Fun, Cute, and Reliable
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I've had a few cars before this one, including a Ford Tempo '91, and a Volvo from 1990. (Volvo is a great car, but old ones become money pits when old parts start wearing out all at once. NOT a cheap vehicle.) The Rio is a great car because of reliability. And of course the number one thing is gas mileage. The 2005 does pretty good, somewhere around 30-32 on highway. (At least for mine.) Even in bad traffic it's not too hard on the gas tank. Unfortunately only months ago it cost about $25-$30 to fill the little Rio's tank, but nowadays it's getting close to $40. Fuel economic or not, America is going to make driving nearly impossible in say six months...
Favorite Features
I have a gray interior and I love it. Awesome color combo with the white exterior. I love the rear taillights, they are stylish! And the whole car is designed nicely, it's an adorable vehicle. The stereo is simple and easy to use, and produces some nice sound!
Suggested Improvements
Though the car is quite peppy when running normally (I speed by people all the time on the highway, passing is fun!) , if the A/C is on, a definite lag is noticed. If you "get on" the car, you can maintain your speed, but it's a bit of a pain sometimes. Fuel injectors get dirty too easily.
My Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I inherited this car from my Son when he could not make his payments any longer. This Kia doesn't have air- conditioning which is a horrible problem since I am an older woman. It can be so hot in the car even with the windows rolled down. It's like it can't circulate the air correctly. It's not a car I would have purchased, however, I'm relatively happy to have it due to the Gas Prices. It is nice looking and needs a new radio. I have heard that the transmissions in these cars are questionable and would like some reassurance. I need to know that I will get from Point A to point B without fear of the car falling apart. I don't know much about these cars. These Kia Rio's.
Favorite Features
Small Car so it gets good gas mileage which is a plus right now.
Suggested Improvements
Don't sell them with out air conditioning
Great car for a great price.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Great used car buy. Reliable, peppy, quiet and well engineered. Save thousands of of a comparable Honda or Toyota. The manufacturer offers a 10 year 100k mile warranty for those who buy new. That warranty drops to 6/60k powertrain as a pre-owned car.
Favorite Features
Fully adjustable drivers seat which is extremely rare in a sub-compact. Variable intermittent wipers.
Suggested Improvements
Gear shift height is to low.
So far, So good
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Bought a 2005 Rio new, and now have about 1,500 miles on it. Wanted to see if what I had heard about Kia's quality was for real, and wanted a cheap car to drive.
Favorite Features
Has features not found on more expensive USA cars. Peppy little engine, 5 speed tranny. Nice interior. Lumbar support on the drivers seat is a PLUS. This car is built better than my 04 Grand AM. The fit and finish is much better, and it feels solid. Fun to drive, and I go 35 miles each way to work.
Suggested Improvements
VERY little room between steering wheel and seat, even with tilt wheel all the way up and seat down. Windows do not seat in a grove at the top, and move in/out some when hit just right by the wind.
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2008 Kia Rio
- 2007 Kia Rio
- 2006 Kia Rio
- 2005 Kia Rio
- 2004 Kia Rio
- 2003 Kia Rio
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