2006 Kia Rio Consumer Reviews

So far so good.

Written by: Go Green on 08/25/2009

Vehicle

2006 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Our Rio has over 68,000 miles on it and has had no problems. Steering, brakes, everything on this car is still as tight as the day we got it. My wife had traded in her gas guzzling Jeep Cherokee and we laughed at her choice. When gas prices rose, I began using it for selling Real Estate and my clients are shocked when they find how roomy the back seat is. It is a great car for scooting around the city and taking a trip does not break the bank. With a fresh oil change I can get up to 38 mpg on the highway! City driving gets from 25 to 32 mpg. Fresh oil affects the mileage so keep it serviced.

Favorite Features

Great Mileage and exterior design.

Suggested Improvements

Would opt for power windows and cruise control at the very least.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Wish it was stronger but a overall good

Written by: OLDSCHOOLDEVIL on 08/25/2009

Vehicle

2006 Kia Rio 5 SX 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I'll tell you I'm hard and neglectful on cars and this Rio has kept up. I didnt give it a oil change for 15000 miles and it started and drove like a champ. I have had small problems (eats through tires and brakes wear.) Not to confy. I drove from California to Texas and I'll say I'm young and those seats i cant stand to sit in them for more than a hour. Decent on gas. I'd recommend this car to young kids that are neglectful and need a good car to get them by. Nothing fancy. I do like the strong speaker system.

Favorite Features

speaker system, gas milage, bullet proof engine

Suggested Improvements

more confort for commuters

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best fuel efficient, reliable car

Written by: euroboy on 04/20/2009

Vehicle

2006 Kia Rio 5 SX 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My 2006 rio5 has already 385,000 km on it and is still running perfectly. It's my second rio, I drive it for a living, and I love the car, I cannot say a bad word about it, it never gave me any problems at all. The only thing I fixed so far are: ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rods (rough country roads) & fuel purge valve (filthy north American gasoline) buy the car new, maintain it well, don't drive it like a maniac (I. E. Floor the gas pedal), change oil every 5000 km, timing belt every 100,000, put premium fuel in it and she will never fail you! To the guy whose rio stalls & overheats on the hwy: go buy a tank!

Favorite Features

gas mileage, reliability, comfort, acceleraton

Suggested Improvements

the only thing I'd suggest is adding a 6th gear... the rpm gets a bit high @ 130km/hr

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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brake problems and gas pedal problems

Written by: karen on 04/03/2009

Vehicle

2006 Kia Rio 5 SX 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Purchased because of the cost and size along with good mileage. I have had 3 brake cylinders replaced in less than 1 year two of them on the same side and still my brakes are squeaky and at times making noises that I have never had before in any vehicle I have ever driven. They seem unwilling or unable to diagnose the real problem. I am very disatisfied with the car. Problems with the gas pedal sticking 1st thing in the morning and they are unable to find the problem with that as well. I'm unhappy with the car.

Favorite Features

hatchback

Suggested Improvements

Better carpet and better finish. Close the large gap in the front seats so you don't lose everything you put on the seat to the floor of the backseat.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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My newly purchaced used Rio.

Written by: Marc Trainor on 08/18/2008

Vehicle

2006 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I'm basically pleased with the car. It's a lot like my old Honda Civic I had with a 5 speed manual, but to me the Honda just "feels" and looks like it has better build quality. I only have 22K miles on it, so I guess only time will tell if it holds up. It doesn't have the power my Mitsubishi Galant has, but my Galant only gets 23 mpg city driving. My only other real beef is that I'm only getting 27.5 mpg with the Rio with combined city/highway driving. Other than that, it's a snappy little "bundle" with decent trunk room and back seat and has a fair amount of pep as long as your not trying to pass someone going up hill.

Favorite Features

Pretty good "bang for the buck". Has enough power to get around OK. Has CD player, AC, dual mirrors, fold down back seats.

Suggested Improvements

Wish the fuel mileage was better. Feels a little cheaply made. Maybe some "real" looking carpet on the floor, or something. Needs a little better suspension at higher speeds. Kind of noisy.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Great Car, Great Value, Great MPG!

Written by: Keith on 08/09/2008

Vehicle

2006 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Was planning on buying a Honda Civic, but after test driving this '06 Rio, it seemed to be an equal in quality car, but cost $3k to $4k less than comparable Honda Civic. I've put 7,000 miles in 5 mo. So what if no power windows? I can reach across and hand crank the windows with ease! It developed a leak under the frontal area @ 32K miles. KIA dealer replaced seal, still leaked. KIA dealer then replace WHOLE TRANSMISSION @ NO COST TO ME!!! Their warranty is the REAL DEAL! I won't hesitate to buy another KIA. I consistently get 30 mpg in town and at least 35 mpg on highway. I added power locks and cruise for < $600. I LIKE MY '06 KIA RIO!!!

Favorite Features

Peppy engine (w/5 spd. tranny). Sound system, fold down armrest for driver. Remote levers for fuel door & trunk. VERY QUIET RIDE. I'm 5'10" & 220#. VERY COMFORTABLE RIDE!

Suggested Improvements

I added power locks & cruise control for comfort & convenience. I added tinted windows & spoiler for a sport look. Total aftermarket cost = $800. MONEY WELL SPENT!!!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Wonderful Car

Written by: Andrew on 06/13/2008

Vehicle

2006 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I've had my Kia for just over two years and it's still doing excellent. I'm coming up on 20k mileage and nothing has broken or been replaced outside it's maintenance. Very reliable if taken care of, and well worth the money.

Favorite Features

Sound system, gas mileage, always a smooth ride, tight turning radius, and very spacious front seating and trunk space for a compact.

Suggested Improvements

I'm a pretty big guy so anyone having to sit behind me is very cramped. Gas mileage, while good, still has room for improvement. Still a little peeved I had to opt for the "power package" just for them to include anti-lock brakes, which should be installed by default.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Nice car

Written by: David J on 04/27/2008

Vehicle

2006 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

The car now has 14,000 miles and so far no problems. It handles/drives very nicely for a car of this class. I test drove a Nissan Sentra and a Honda Civic and they did not drive as good as this Kia. It is quiet on the road even at highway speeds. It performs well, engine is peppy. The automatic transmission shifts very smoothly. It steers/brakes excellently, turns nicely. Radio sounds great. Trunk has spacious room for this type of car, especially with rear seat backs folded down. I get 32.7 MPG combined with mostly city/heavy urban driving. You get good value for the money with this car.

Favorite Features

comfortable drive, looks, sound of radio, gas mileage, interior room, trunk space, gauges on dash laid out nicely for easy view, you can open trunk and gas cap door with latches on drivers floor board, good outside views through windshields and side windows

Suggested Improvements

arm rest for passenger side, better designed console, tinted glass, I would like to see 45-50 MPG with this car

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Well Worth The Money

Written by: GoldyLockz on 04/24/2008

Vehicle

2006 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Bought this car in '06, and I have NEVER had a single problem other then replacing an accent bulb. Gas mileage is excellent averaging at about 36 MPG and it being extremely cute doesn't hurt either! Awesome buy for it's class! And I personally think the sound quality is great and and the ride is super quiet.

Favorite Features

Turn Radius, Gas mileage, Sound. Actually pretty much everything!

Suggested Improvements

None so far...

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I was expecting too much

Written by: joudain on 04/11/2008

Vehicle

2006 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

My family laughed when I told them I was getting a Kia. It had such good reviews and I was looking for an affordable car. Well, barely two years late, I am laughing right with them. First my car stalls at a stop light. I managed to drive it to a dealership - my board had to be replaced. 2nd just happened yesterday. My car got overheated on the freeway on the way home - this is the first time in my life I had to have it towed! I cannot recommend this car to anybody. I wish I can turn back time and get a Toyota or Honda instead. No thanks, Kia, never again!

Favorite Features

Nice design on the outside, very cute. Fairly nice sound system. I also appreciate the height of the vehicle.

Suggested Improvements

Make it more reliable instead of having problems at barely 2 years old. I am a petite person so interior is just right but would feel cramped for most. Would love to swap one out for one that works and is 100% reliable.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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