2002 Kia Rio Review
2002 Kia Rio Review





+48
Kia Rio model years
Kia Rio types
- Sedan
- Wagon
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Unbeatable price, peppy engine, decent build quality relative to price point, inoffensive styling, great warranty package.
Cons
- Unrefined ride quality, power windows and cruise control are MIA from the option list.
What’s new
One of America's least expensive cars now comes in sedan or wagon flavor. Dubbed the Rio Cinco, the five-door Kia provides 44.3 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seat down.
Edmunds says
This is one of America's cheapest cars. If you're low on ducats and are absolutely addicted to that new-car smell, the Rio should do well by you.
Vehicle overview
Kia is determined to get a tenacious hold on the econo-car market, and with the appealingly inexpensive Rio sedan and Rio Cinco wagon, along with the company's impressive new Long Haul Warranty Program, it may well be on its way to doing just that.
The Rio's 1.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder, the only engine available and charged with motivating less than 2,500 pounds, is surprisingly peppy, providing quick acceleration from a stop as well as adequate passing power on highways. Over 75 mph, the engine serenades the driver with an incessant whine, but maintains speed quite well. The optional four-speed automatic tranny has an overdrive-off button to avoid gear searching in the hills.
The wedge-shaped exterior design of the Rio is inoffensively generic, which, as Kia notes, means "your friends won't give you a hard time when you show up in [the Rio]." The interior is solidly screwed together, although the materials used reflect the bargain-basement price of this subcompact sedan and wagon. Hard plastics and cheesy upholstery abound, but rattles and squeaks are kept to a minimum within the cabin. Outside, the Rio boasts upscale-looking clear lens headlights. Snazzy alloy wheels are available as an inexpensive independent option, and you can get a nifty spoiler for the deck lid of the sedan, too.
Antilock brakes are not standard equipment, but you can get them as an option. Air conditioning, which works beautifully without hampering engine power too much, is also on the a la carte menu. For tunes, you can choose either a cassette player or a CD player, but you can't get both. Note that the wagon comes with a bit more standard content, including power steering, a tachometer, tilt adjustment for the steering wheel, vanity mirrors and body-side moldings; you can add all of these items to the sedan via a reasonably priced upgrade package.
The inside of this thrifty car is logically and simply laid-out. Radio controls are conveniently placed above the climate switchgear, although the latter are set a little too low in the center stack for optimum ergonomic operation. Buttons and switches are all big enough and easy to find and use, and the front seats are comfy, but lack lumbar support. The rear seat feels like a park bench, but interior room is pretty impressive for a vehicle of this size, measuring more than even Toyota's relatively spacious Echo, according to Kia. One accoutrement of which Kia is especially proud is the driver seat fold-down armrest, but it's pretty much useless with the stick shift and, in fact, impedes arm movement somewhat even in the folded-up position.
The Rio behaves well on the road, with a tight suspension that keeps body roll to a minimum, but communicates irregularities in the tarmac directly to the driver. The power rack-and-pinion steering is tight and accurate for a vehicle at this price point, but a lack of overall refinement is apparent in the vibration through the gas pedal and shifter.
The Rio competes with the Hyundai Accent, Daewoo Lanos and Toyota Echo; among this group, the Rio sedan is the cheapest four-door and Rio Cinco is the only wagon. Although we would encourage those shopping in this price bracket to consider a larger, slightly used car from one of the major Japanese manufacturers, the Rio sedan and wagon are definitely worth checking out if you're low on funds and really want a new-car warranty.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Kia Rio.
5 star(43%)
4 star(32%)
3 star(10%)
2 star(9%)
1 star(6%)
88 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
The Ideal Town Car
Dennis Howerton, 12/08/2015
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
I bought my Rio from its second owner. The car had been wrecked by the first owner at around 12,000 miles and was subsequently rebuilt. The second owner took good care of the Rio. The interior was like new when I bought it at 52,000 miles and the car had been repainted '57 Corvette red. The original wheels were warped and the tires were horribly out of round, causing the car to … vibrate at around 45mph, so I bought a specialty set of wheels and new tires that set me back about $1000. Despite most Rios' homely look, mine actually looks pretty sporty. There are several things I like about the Rio. It's a simple car. I especially like the fact that the windows and door locks are manually operated. The front seats, while not cushy, are comfortable and there is adequate room for two full size adults in the front seats. The back seat is strictly for kids. Ours are grown, so the rear seat is not a problem. Whoever designed the interior of the Rio did a good job. The controls and switches are well situated ergonomically. There's even a right armrest that folds down for the driver that makes driving on longer trips more comfortable. Steering is light and responsive. It's like driving a go cart. Visibility is very good. The 1500cc engine and automatic transmission are adequate for around town driving but are a little underpowered for trips in mountainous terrain. You'll get up the slopes, but you won't pass many people. Fuel economy with the automatic transmission is good but not spectacular. I've averaged around 32mpg in highway driving and 22mpg around town. I use only straight unleaded gas (no alcohol) in my car (Yes, it's still available if you look for it.). The only maintenance the Rio has needed since I bought it was the replacement of a rear shock absorber and, of course, periodic oil/air/filter changes. Since we use the Rio as our around town car, we don't put a lot of miles on it. The absence of cruise control is the main reason we don't use it on long trips. Currently, we have under 74,000 miles on our car. It stills looks showroom new inside and out when it has been cleaned up. We love our 2002 Rio.
June 2017 - We still have our 2002 Kia Rio and use it as a town car and for short trips. Still love it. Thinking of giving it to my grandson who will get his learner permit to drive next month. Hate to part with it, but...hey!...he's my grandson and that's what granddads do. Small, economical, easy to drive...the Rio is an excellent car for new drivers.
December 2017 - We're still driving our Rio daily. I had thought about giving it to our grandson when he turns 16 in July but he's a growing boy. At 6'01", 300 pounds, he's a mite big for the Kia so we'll keep it as our old timer's transportation. The boy is going to need a truck...a big truck.
June 2018 - Yep. Still have our 2002 Rio. Still use it daily.
December 2018 - I jokingly call our Rio the Red Hot Chili Pepper and, yes, we still use it as daily transport around town and on short trips. No problems. Incidentally for those who read my earlier post about our grandson, I bought a 1997 Ford F-150 from my brother for him. It was a fixer-upper that I spent a shade over $2000 to have the seat and headliner and brakes and calipers redone. It had new tires and a fresh rebuilt starter. I also gave it a tune-up, radiator flush, new water pump, air filter, oil/filter, and exterior rear view mirrors. The kid is too big for a car. He needed a truck, and now he's got one with a 4.2L V-six engine turning a five speed manual tranny.
December 2019 - Our 2002 Kia Rio still looks and runs great. It doesn't have all the high tech gee whiz gadgetry of the latest overpriced cars. I like that. It gets us where we want to go. Isn't that really what a car is supposed to do?
June 2020 - Our Kia Rio is still running good. No problems. Too bad Kia stopped making the 2002 model. I learned Kia put a Mazda engine driving a Ford transmission in the car. It's a good, solid drive train combination. We're keeping it.
December 2020. Everything I've said about our 2002 Kia Rio is still true. It's a good no frills car. Looking at the sticker price of new cars...even good used cars...these days tells me I'll be keeping the Rio.
June 2022. Had a minor fender bender on the last day of 2020 when an uninsured driver failed to yield the right of way. The front right bumper has a minor boo boo, but the Rio is still driveable. Drove to Memphis and back recently cruising at a leisurely 50 mph and got 40 mpg. I've owned a lot of cars and trucks. My all time favorite was a 1984 VW Rabbit powered by a diesel engine with a five speed manual transmission that averaged 52 mpg, but the Kia Rio is giving it some honest competition.
4 out of 5 stars
trouble free miles
nan25, 10/11/2013
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
Everytime I get asked about the car i have said this. Bought her new with zero dealer add ons.
Starting at 40K and today I'd say "got 207K trouble free miles" Check engine light has been working for 11 yrs. Gotta ignore it, it rearly goes off. I am lazy but do the oil changes religiously &
read the review warning about timing belts. Got that at 149,000. At 200,000 got front wheel … bearings & someother stuff there for $700.
Hatch latch broke, using a bunge cord. If you dont like yours I will buy it :)
update: sold car at 227K to a mechanic who replaced the original but just blown alternator and somehow the hatch latch ( bunge cord looked tacky) who resold it but I bought a 2014 Kia Rio and were at 44K now with no troubles
4.13 out of 5 stars
Favorite car in 40 years of driving
querflote, 12/14/2014
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Bought the car when it had 10 K miles, one year old, one previous driver. Since then have put 140K miles on it, with fewer problems than any other car I have ever driven. Replaced timing belt at 60 K and 120K. Has no AC (bought it in PA). 5 sp manual transmission. Fun to drive, plenty of acceleration in 1st and 2nd. Manual everything (windows, etc. ) means that nothing ever breaks, and … no little things need repair. Incredible highway mileage, even at 65-70 mph (40-43 mpg). Had to replace gasket for trunk lid. Not a car for 4 large adults - better for 2 adults, 2 kids in back seat. Great value for the money I paid. Am expecting to put another 100 K miles on it.
5 out of 5 stars
Loooooove this car!!
sxbombannie, 01/04/2012
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
i just wanted to let everyone know what happened to me so it won't happen to you. i bought this car in 2007 with 20,000 miles for $4000. i know it's horrible but i only got maybe 3 or 4 oil changes. the car has 107,000 miles now. but this car just kept on going. i hit a wall on the highway goin about 50 and i just drove it away. never ever had a problem until 80,000 miles needed new … wheel bearings. almost $500. not too bad. kept on going til pulling into my driveway one day it just dies! i knew it was the end because the car had been so good to me it was gonna end its life pulling into the driveway. got it towed to the mechanic and yup, the timing chain broke. broke the engine, $2500 to fix.
2002 Rio Highlights
Sedan
- Combined MPG
- 26 MPG
- Cost to Drive
- $157/month
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- front wheel drive
- Engine Type
- Gas
- Warranty
- 5 years / 60,000 miles
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
People who viewed this also viewed
4.2 average Rating out of 12 reviews. |
Starting at $19,690 |
See Inventory |
5.0 average Rating out of 8 reviews. |
Starting at $16,645 |
See Inventory |
4.5 average Rating out of 13 reviews. |
Starting at $19,890 |
See Inventory |
More about the 2002 Kia Rio
Used 2002 Kia Rio Overview
The Used 2002 Kia Rio is offered in the following submodels: Rio Sedan, Rio Wagon. Available styles include 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A), Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 4A), 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M), and Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M). Pre-owned Kia Rio models are available with a 1.5 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 96 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2002 Kia Rio comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual.
What's a good price on a Used 2002 Kia Rio?
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2002 Kia Rios are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2002 Kia Rio for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2002 Kia Rio.
Can't find a used 2002 Kia Rios you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used Kia Rio for sale.
Find a used Kia for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Kia Rio for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Kia for sale.
Should I lease or buy a 2002 Kia Rio?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Kia lease specials
Check out Kia Rio lease specials
Related Used 2002 Kia Rio info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Porsche Cayenne 2021 Review
- Porsche Macan 2020 Review
- Porsche Macan 2021 Review
- Porsche Panamera 2020 Review
- Porsche Panamera 2021 Review
Shop similar models
- Mitsubishi Mirage 2023
- Toyota Corolla-hatchback 2023
- Toyota Yaris-hatchback 2020
- Ford Fiesta 2019
- Chevrolet Sonic 2020
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Acura RLX 2007
- Used Audi S5 2011
- Used Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2010
- Used Scion XB 2014
- Used Maserati Quattroporte 2012
- Used Chevrolet Colorado 2003
- Used FIAT 500X For Sale
- Used Chevrolet Astro 1999
- Used Buick Envision 2016
- Used INFINITI QX70 2008
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
- 2022 Ram 3500
- 2022 Porsche Panamera
- Porsche Panamera 2022
- 2022 GLE-Class
- 2023 Express Cargo
- 2022 IS 350
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- 2022 Jaguar XF
- Land Rover Range Rover 2023
Research recent models from same make
- 2022 Rio
- 2022 Kia Carnival
- Kia Seltos 2022
- 2022 Kia EV6
- 2022 Kia Niro
- Kia Sorento Hybrid 2022
- 2023 Forte
- Kia Forte 2022
- 2022 EV6
- 2022 Kia EV6
Research similar vehicles
- Mirai
- 2022 Challenger
- 2022 Lexus IS 300
- 2022 Challenger
- 2023 Q50
- 2022 BMW 7 Series
- 2022 Dodge Charger
- Maserati Quattroporte For Sale
- Maserati Ghibli
- 2022 Nissan Altima