2005 Kia Rio Review
2005 Kia Rio Review

Kia Rio model years
Kia Rio types
- Wagon
- Sedan
See Edmunds pricing data
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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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2005 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.23 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$161/mo
Rio Base
vs
$170/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Kia Rio.
5 star(40%)
4 star(26%)
3 star(20%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(6%)
35 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.63 out of 5 stars
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.
3.38 out of 5 stars
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.
3.75 out of 5 stars
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.
2.88 out of 5 stars
Please be aware
buyerbeware9, 01/26/2013
2005 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
Purchased this car from the original owner and at first was delighted with car. Kia was in great shape inside and out about 40k miles. Car was maintained according to manufacturer. Took car for oil change to dealer and was told because I was second owner warranty was not transferable so any repairs would be on me. At 74,000k car just stopped dead
no warning. Had car towed to shop..what … do ya know the
timing belt broke and destroyed top part of engine. I was never informed of this until after the fact you are to replace the timing belt at or before 60,000 K. Kia said so sorry we can't help you. I have owned many cars from Lexis, Toyota, Honda and American and NEVER had this issue BEWARE !
2005 Kia Rio Wagon Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $11,700
- MPG & Fuel
- 22 City / 29 Hwy / 25 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 11.9 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 104 hp @ 5,800 rpm
- Torque: 104 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 5 yr./ 60,000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 166.9 in. / Height: 56.7 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 66.1 in.
- Curb Weight: 2,447 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 24.8 cu.ft.
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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More about the 2005 Kia Rio
Used 2005 Kia Rio Overview
The Used 2005 Kia Rio is offered in the following submodels: Rio Sedan, Rio Wagon. Available styles include 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M), 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A), Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 5M), and Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 4A). Pre-owned Kia Rio models are available with a 1.6 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 104 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2005 Kia Rio comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic.
What's a good price on a Used 2005 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 2005 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) 2005 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 2005 Kia Rio.
Can't find a used 2005 Kia Rios you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
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Should I lease or buy a 2005 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
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