2005 Kia Rio

Price Estimate: $810 - $3,076

Kia Rio Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.9
35 reviews
5(40%)
4(26%)
3(20%)
2(8%)
1(6%)
See all 35 reviews of the Kia Rio
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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Get What You Give
grinddesigns, 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
Phil 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
Ricky, 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
B 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.

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FAQ

Is the Kia Rio a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2005 Rio both on the road and at the track. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2005 Rio gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 35 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Rio has 9.2 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Kia Rio. Learn more

Is the Kia Rio reliable?

To determine whether the Kia Rio is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Rio. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Rio's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2005 Kia Rio a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2005 Kia Rio is a good car. Our consumer reviews show that the 2005 Rio gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 35 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2005 Rio is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2005 Kia Rio?

The least-expensive 2005 Kia Rio is the 2005 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $10,195.

Other versions include:

  • 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M) which starts at $10,195
  • 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A) which starts at $11,095
Learn more

What are the different models of Kia Rio?

If you're interested in the Kia Rio, the next question is, which Rio model is right for you? Rio variants include 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M), and 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A). For a full list of Rio models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
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