2005 Kia Rio Review
Price Estimate: $1,185 - $1,856





+41
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Small price, big warranty, peppy engine.
Cons
- Unrefined handling, five-speed manual's rubbery shift action, mediocre fuel economy.
What’s new
No major changes for the Rio this year.
Edmunds 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.
For sale near Howell, MI
2 listings
- $2,999
- 119,358 miles
- No accidents, 7 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 21 City / 29 Hwy MPG
- Patriot Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Pryor (750 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Pryor, OK
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
24 Combined MPG (21 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNADC125956365320
Stock: PP5017A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 07-11-2025 - $3,500
- 89,974 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 22 City / 29 Hwy MPG, Manual
- Carisma Auto Group (1,009 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Tampa, FL
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNADC125856384375
Stock: 384375
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Michigan
$163/mo for Rio Base
Rio Base
vs
$173/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Kia Rio Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Get What You Give
3.63 out of 5 starsgrinddesigns, 09/03/2009
2005 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
Follow your owners manual like it is a Bible. You must change your engine timing belt at 60,000 miles ! Please do not make the same mistake that I did. If you search the Internet about this you will find 1,000 other people saying this, trust me change that timing belt at 60,000 and you won't be sorry. I never had a problem with this vehicle that was not because of my own negligence. If … you change your oil regularly, keep an eye on all of your fluids, and be sure to change the timing belt at 60k, this car will be worth the money. This was my first vehicle and I learned costly lessons from not following the regular maintenance schedule so I advise you to follow most of it to a t.
Beware the timing belt
3.38 out of 5 starsPhil Hall, 10/19/2009
2005 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)
Normally, I would say that this is a nice car, decent (not great) milage, good features, all in all an ok vehicle. But there is one thing you need to make sure of: the timing belt. It says to replace it every 60000 miles, I would replace that far sooner because this is an interference engine--if the belt breaks when the car is running your engine will be shot. As in dead. New car time. … This design choice alone must account for the lower Reliability rating. There is no reason whatsoever that a single point of failure should destroy an engine.
Fairly Happy
3.75 out of 5 starsRicky, 05/30/2010
2005 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)
I got this little Rio about a month ago and so far I am pretty happy with it. I feel like I got a great deal on the car and the fact the car was going to be better on gas than my old '91 Dakota. While the fuel consumption on this car isn't too bad, I definitely feel like it could be better. The engine is a bit lethargic for highway driving and the car itself does tend to feel a little … "unsafe" doing anything over 60 mph. The interior is bigger than what someone would judge it would be by the outside. Handling is pretty precise and it extremely light! Overall, this car seems dependable and practical so far.
Take That! Oil Barons
4.75 out of 5 starsB Holmes, 09/10/2005
2005 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 4A)
Although the EPA fuel economy ratings were in the mid-30's, I consistently get 40+ MPG. This car is not a luxury status symbol, but as a commuter car, cannot be beat. I paid only $7,000 for a new car with excellent economy, reasonable power and great handling. Would love to see Ford or Chevrolet match that. I went from driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee that averages 17MPG to this. I … commute over 100 miles a day, and the fuel savings are more than I pay for the car.
2005 Rio Highlights
Sedan
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $10,195 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $163/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 9.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
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 RatedDriver2 / 5Passenger2 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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