Used 2002 Kia Rio Wagon Consumer Reviews
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trouble free miles
nan25, 10/11/2013
updated 04/16/2016
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
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
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- Reliability
R E L I A B L E ! ! ! Exactly what I needed.
Reile, 08/14/2015
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Sure, I would like something prettier, flashier. And navigating traffic would be easier and more fun with a little more acceleration power. But for me, getting there is more important than how cool I look on the way. This car has NEVER broken down. Never left me stranded. Worry free, problem free, low maint. Oil service every 5k miles. Replace timing belt every 60k miles. It's survived multiple curbs and medians with just a quick alignment and/or new rim. Clutch cable strand snapped at about 58k miles. Felt a pop in the stick and the sudden subtle clutch pedal and shift resistance change when the remaining strands stretched (Only needed a $35-40 part but idiots at Kia replaced entire clutch- everything EXCEPT the frayed cable!) Btw, AWESOME WARRANTY! 5yr/60k bumper to bumper. 10yr/100k powertrain. Priced around $14k- my actual cost was closer to $30k (5yr 22%) but I still count it among my top 5 smartest buys (or luckiest). PS. It falls a distant 2nd place to my 69 toyota celica fastback. Paid $3k used w/120k mi. It's 2nd 100k Just as- if not more- reliable and low maint than the Kia's 1st 100k for only 1/10th the actual cost of the Kia. Traded it for daycare just over 200k miles. It was sold one more time just under 300k miles before I lost track of it.
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2002 Kia Rio for sale near you
Showing 1 of 1 listings
- Base SedanMSRP: $8,9981,714 mi away
Good Vehicle for it's Price
Diane, 11/03/2006
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The car is excellent in any weather and proved to be reliable transportation. I would buy another Kia. The gasoline mileage in town and on the highway would average 25 to 28 mpg. My highest maintenance cost was at 60,000 miles which I have completed. Without the air conditioner on, the car has excellent pick up speed for highway entering and exiting.
Miss my wagon
kialover15, 01/02/2009
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
We bought a Kia Rio Cinco back in June of 2007, we bought it for one reason, gas mileage. It replaced a 94 Cadillac Deville, (15 mpg). This Rio would get 32 mpg city every time, and only one trip on the highway we got 37 mpg! Going 70-75 mpg (no cruise). Loved this car. We had only trouble with it, and that was when I was driving, the rear right wheel locked up, as if the emergency brake had been applied to just the wheel. But what actually happened was that the rod that makes the wheel turn, was so rusted it collapsed. We would still have this car today if some idiot didn't run through a red light and total it. Tough car, I wasn't killed.
2002 Rio Wagon
mako787, 02/03/2013
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I just purchased a Cinco wagon in January with 106,000 miles on it. It was in excellent condition and I hoped to get a reliable car that was cheap to drive and maintain. I had an older Buick that had cost me a fortune and the engine was knocking so bad I was afraid it was going to throw a rod in my driveway. So far this Kia has been reliable except for the check engine light coming on abut five times now. First it was the O2 sensors that had already been changed out but I had to get another one anyway and then it was the gas cap. Now it came on again and I have no idea what it is this time. The car is noisy and has little power with the AC running.
120,000 and still running great
bl, 08/02/2009
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My cinco has been the most reliable car I've ever owned. I'm so happy with it I'm buying another kia. Why can't we build cars this reliable. I only wish they put a light in the glove compartment.
I love it
Riand, 07/17/2009
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I love my little Kia , its done well over the years and have been reliable. I havent had any problems with the car and I would recomend some one to buy!
Excellent deal
kerri9494, 04/05/2002
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Just brought this car home, so I don't know about the reliability yet. However, I'm happy with everything. The seats are firm and supportive, there's no body roll on corners, the leg room in the front is ample (although much less in the back), everything WORKS. It's not a performance car, but heck, I'm a soccer mom. I got in the car this morning, started it up, and it got me all the way to work safely, in climate-controlled comfort. What more can you want from a LOADED car (every option) that I got for $12,700?
Awesome Wagon
kialover15, 06/22/2008
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We recently bought a 2002 Rio Cinco, and we are loving our decision. This car was purchased by my grandfather. This is his work car, and soon, I will share it with him. (I get my license in July.) We sold a 1994 Cadillac Deville. A nice Caddy, no problems, but with gas at 4.18 a gallon, there was no option but to sell it. Once we got the Rio, we were a little unhappy, no AC, but when we filled it up for the first time a got 31 mpg, we were fine with no air. The gas mileage kept getting better too. The highest is 34 mpg, complete city! Great car!!
Nice Little car w/a price U CANT beat!
David-WI, 06/21/2002
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I REALLY like this little car. Plus I COULDN'T pass up on the price either. Granted it is a little 4cyl car but it has nearly everything you need at a base model price. I paid 12K even for this car and got nearly everything I wanted. I had the dealer install after market cruise and I am set!! The A/C works just fine, it has a roomy hatch and it looks great!!! All for 12K!! How can you go wrong????
Dogs and I love it!
RiowithDogs, 10/06/2002
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I love this car! I got it so I could haul my two mini-greyhounds in the back. They love it, too! Very fun to drive, great mileage. The dealership was awesome and the price was right! Everyone thinks it is a sporty Honda Civic. There are no bells and whistles, but truly a well put together car with a fantastic price. I would buy it again!
Never again
commdeus, 09/23/2007
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
This was an awful car to drive. It was uncomfortable, had little power, no acceleration, and started breaking down about a year into its life. The paint job was of poor quality. Corrosion started in its 4th year despite biweekly washes and bi-annual waxes. I was only too pleased to return it after its lease ended. It has put me off Kia all together.
Do not buy one
Don't Buy ONE!, 05/31/2010
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my Rio in January with 68K miles and not after 5 months of driving the engine died! I was on the freeway and it seized! After inspection they thought it was a timing belt but in the process of inspection of the engine found that the lower part of the engine died and then broke the timing belt, spark plugs blown into bits and pieces! After call KIA they said that the last 2 years they made better engines and the engine in the 2002 was not "good." They tried to sell me a new kia but after my experance I will never buy a kia and never recommend them to a friend, in fact I told my friend who owns a kia to sell his fast! Don't get one!
Mixed bag
treacherousdad, 10/19/2010
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love my little Kia... except that this year has many problems. You either get one that will last forever, or you get an utter lemon. My luck has given me the latter. These things have a nasty habit of bad grounds, blowing head gaskets, and having sensors go out... all at a premium cost if you can even find the parts. If the car were more reliable, I would recommend it to anyone. What I love is the handling. The car is fun to toss around in S-turns and roundabouts. I like the interior and it is comfortable. RPM spin a little high on the freeway, but then the motor is tiny, so what do you expect.
a wagon for Empty Nesters
pizza driver, 08/01/2002
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
It handled our late winter snows and our steep driveway. Gets 30+mpg on road trips. For a wagon, the AC is very good, we've had the hotest July in over 10 years. It's fun to drive, even with the Automatic. We are looking forward to an Autumn trip to the Ozarks.
My Rio Wagon.
Liseannedg, 01/31/2002
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The price could not be beat. Enjoy the ease of a hatchback. Very family friendly. Easy to tell that materials, i.e., hatchcover are not of highest quality. Otherwise, great car.
You Get What You Pay For
RaiderGirl, 12/05/2002
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Very well-priced for a single mom, but I'm making up for it at the fuel pump; the Kia Rio Cinco is surprisingly UNeconomical in gas use. I can barely squeeze nine gallons into a nearly twelve gallon tank, and then I only get 200 miles on a tankful in the city. Also, it could accelerate MUCH better than it does. Other than that, it's pretty reliable and very cool-looking. The interior is very roomy - I can fit my large dog in the back with the rear seat in the upright position with no problem. Overall rating: 6
How much I love my Kia
smsm, 12/13/2003
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have driven this car across the state of Michigan more times than one would think humanly possible. It has proven to be more reliable than my friends' new cars of substantially more price. Once, a rear tail light went out and the dealership kindly replaced. That is the only problem to speak of. I love this car!!!! I may have to sell it because of a move to the city, and it's breaking my heart!!!
It's been a great car!
Jon Hill, 03/23/2006
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
As y'all read this, understand that we bought this car new and use it in Egypt. We have gone from one end to the other including the Sinai on numerous trips. Gas mileage is great (even though gas is .80 cents a gallon here). We have depended on this car with our lives and to date only replaced both the front drive axles. The roads are notorious with potholes, etc. Would buy another one and more. Try it ... you won't be disappointed.
Great car at a great price
citygirl, 01/12/2006
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car has been great to drive. My family is a Kia-owner one, and so far out of numerous cars, we have never had any big problems. Sure, every brand will have some lemons or you are going to be disappointed if you are forced into a car or are lied to like some posters here have been (everyone should do research before visiting a dealer, including the disappointed poster who believed the dealer that this car gets 35-40 mpg).The Kia may not be as trendy to drive, but the quality surpasses many brands I've seen, including Toyota and Ford. The $12k I paid was great and I have used the roadside assistance when I locked keys inside. The a/c broke once and it was fixed in an hour, under warranty.No other problems.
good for transportation only !!
tok, 03/22/2002
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
if you need basic transportation, then get the rio...nothing good about it. should consider the new toyota corrolla, suzuki aerio, or ford focus zx3..etc. also, if has a horrible engine, no power.
Money sucking
JoBlow, 05/14/2008
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My God, where to begin my rant. I bought this car for 4 g's and a year later the engine went and then the trans went, needless to say I put just as much into it as I paid for it. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE car I will never buy a Kia or anything that has anything to do with a Kia ever again. And now to top it off the mass air intake needs replacing, please heed my call and stay away!
ooops
Ron Kotler, 06/10/2009
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
Fuel mi.(@55mph.) stinks,,,trans. hunts all the time. driving layout poor. body, at freeway speeds, sounds like your in a wind tunnel. just a terrible auto! I'm afraid to drive it, it may cost me again.It holds the road ,,,,Not.
WISH I COULD RETURN IT!!!
mitchttj, 04/25/2002
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
Less than 700 miles into my "coerced" ownership of this vehicle I was feeling like a major fool!! 523 miles-car dies in a parking lot. They towed to dealership and changed battery-NOT THE PROBLEM! More quitting on the road(with a baby in the back!)and then they change the alternator(somewhere around 700 miles)-guess that was the problem. The car whistles when the wind hits from certain directions, the back windows roll THEMSELVES DOWN and we don't get anywhere near the mileage they said! (supposed to get approx 35-40, we are lucky if we get 25-30!) If you have kids, the car seats don't fit very well! One more complaint, you can't shift the car without spilling your drink!
So So Car
macbob, 06/05/2010
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Recently bought this used Kia Rio Cinco with 33.000 original miles. Weak performance, especially with a/c on. Engine light is on and not fixed yet. Unknown why light is on. Car handles badly with vibrations, etc. A car with only 33k miles should not have these problems. My 1991 Buick regal I sold to buy this Kia was a lot better running car. No more Kia for me.
Cheap and Crappy
jjepps15, 12/27/2011
2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this car with 50,000 and it has been nothing but problems from day 1. I want to sell it ASAP so I dont have to keep paying for it. My mechanic said that is just a cheap car.