Used 2006 Kia Rio Consumer Reviews
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.
sweet, silent, smooth
What a car for $15,000 dollars with performance package and floor mats. I think I died and went to heaven! Even quiet and stable on highway with cross winds. Haven't found anything I would change yet, except it could use ten more ponies. Such a joy to look at and drive. On-line reviews led me to this car. When I drove by my dealer and saw this beautiful sunset orange SX facing me, I knew I had to have it. Of course the fantastic warranty was another selling point. Lack of cruise was not an issue for me.
Killed one, going on another!
I had a used 2006 Rio5 for a short bit before getting t-boned in a winter storm. The offender was a dodge caravan making an illegal left turn. The Rio took the hit well, with little damage to me...but the car was a write-off. After much searching for a new car, I ended up buying the exact same model. The Rio5 is great on gas, the 5sp is peppy enough to be fun. The spare tire cover is crap, I recommend buying a piece of plywood to cover it. The balljoints in the 3 kia rio5's that I have driven have all needed replacing.
- Base SedanMSRP: $5,500325 mi away
- LX SedanMSRP: $3,995329 mi away
- LX SedanMSRP: $3,400965 mi away
Better than expected
Bought second hand for my wife and she loves it, I sorta like it. Has heated front seats which was surprising for a car like a rio. Gas mileage is excellent performance is adequate and comfort is adequate also. I was expecting this car to be horrible but she loved it so we got it. It has 60,000kms on it now with only 2 problems, spark plugs died at 40,000km no big deal, but timing belt slipped around the same time and had to be replaced for $800 not under warranty! Metal body is poor quality every stone chip begins rusting immediately unlike domestic galvanized cars. Overall I would buy again(for the wife).
Love my Rio!
Its 2018 and my 2006 Rio is still going strong! I've got about 180,000 miles on it and finally had to replace the clutch and brakes for the first time. It drives and handles great. It starts right up in the cold Minnesota winters. If you keep up on regular oil changes and maintenance it will serve you well! This is my third Kia and I've put 200,000 miles plus on all of them. Not the quiet ride of a luxury vehicle but the Rio is a great dependable car. and I bought my Rio new in 2006. I now have over 212,000 miles on it and it's still going strong. It's a fun car to drive with power enough for me. I love how it handles even in the snow. I highly recommend it.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Hazard switch location
Just bought this vehicle with 71,000 miles. So far I really like it. Just one complaint. Hopefully its been moved since. I seriously dislike that each time I reach to change the volume of the stereo, may hand hits that emergency flasher button making me check that I didn't accidently turn them on.
2006 Rio LX Automatic
Kia did a great job with this all new car, buy with confidence. I was amazed how the big name brands are building unsatisfactory cars, and cheating on the number of side air bags if they offer them at all. Don't trust a salesman here, check the fine print to see if they include a torso and head curtain air bags. You HAVE to HAVE both! The Kia Rio has both the torso and head curtain side air bags. Don't confuse these with frontal air bags. The build quality of my car is excellent. The power is excellent. I needn't press more than 1/8 on the pedal and the car moves right along just fine--that from an old gearhead. There are too many nice features to list. The gas mileage is excellent!
Buy 'em for life...
I've owned 6 Rio's and still have 4. Speaks volumes? Always serviced on time. Run great even in winter. Great traction on any road in any weather. Decent acceleration. Cruise all day at 65 MPH and still get 35 MPG. Good visibility all around, comfortable seats, good sound system, great A/C, adjustable wheel, decent headlights, ample cup holders, arm rest. I prefer the manual transmission over the automatic as it requires less service. I own both versions. Finding Kia mechanics who know what they're doing is not easy. I've found better self employed mechanics than factory trained individuals. The warranty is basically useless at the mercy of lousy mechanics.
2006 Kia Rio
Kia Rio is an excellent car to drive, it's comfortable and everything is within easy reach. You can drive a long distance and never feel uncomfortable while driving. I think it's the neatest little car, handles great, comfortable and good on gas.
Enjoying my Kia Rio
Haven't had my Rio not quite a month but I am enjoying it. I tried out all the small cars and found this one to be the quietest, and most enjoyable. Had a 04 Dodge Caravan and it drives just as good and holds the road in all weather conditions and even holds the road passing a big truck. It doesn't sway like the 02 Camry I had. Can't believe how good they are making the new small cars now. Inside feels like I'm in a large car. Have plenty of room for all my stuff. The 4 door beat the hatchback as far as space. Get about 32 miles to the gallon. But only have 6 hundred miles on it, hope will get better with time. Mine is the basic no electric windows or locks. Found out I can do without them
Great car for the $$
Bought the car used in November of '06 simply for a commuter. I was just looking for a cheap car to get me to work and back and not kill me with gas prices being high. I was BLOWN AWAY with this car. It has great performance all around considering the small engine and low hp, and the mpg is very close to what Kia said it was. With just me in it, I average 37 mpg highway, which is all I really drive with it. I'm used to driving high horsepower American made trucks, so for me to actually say this thing has some power means something. Stock stereo is above average for any car, and the trunk is massive. I would recommend this car any day.
Not a bad car
Pretty good car for the money. Auto transmission very sluggish, but the manual has decent performance. Comfortable ride but excessive road noise. Great fuel economy and spacious for small car. The interior panels are a bit cheap, scratch easily. Plenty of safety features. Overall I highly recommend for an economy car.
06 Kia Rio LX
The new designed Kia Rio is awesome. Much roomier than the older models. My husband can actually stretch his legs all the way out - in the '04 he couldn't. Great on gas. Handling has improved along with shocks. Comes standard with 6 airbags. If there is a person under 70 lbs sitting in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag actually turns off. aA light comes up by the radio indicating that it has been shut off. This feature is in case you have a child in the front seat, or a dog in my case, the airbag wont go off to cause more damage to them in case of an accident. If you don't wear seatbelts I wouldn't buy this car. Chime goes off every 15 seconds if you're not wearing one until you click it in.
best fuel efficient, reliable car
My 2006 rio5 has already 385,000 km on it and is still running perfectly. It's my second rio, I drive it for a living, and I love the car, I cannot say a bad word about it, it never gave me any problems at all. The only thing I fixed so far are: ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rods (rough country roads) & fuel purge valve (filthy north American gasoline) buy the car new, maintain it well, don't drive it like a maniac (I. E. Floor the gas pedal), change oil every 5000 km, timing belt every 100,000, put premium fuel in it and she will never fail you! To the guy whose rio stalls & overheats on the hwy: go buy a tank!
Nice car
The car now has 14,000 miles and so far no problems. It handles/drives very nicely for a car of this class. I test drove a Nissan Sentra and a Honda Civic and they did not drive as good as this Kia. It is quiet on the road even at highway speeds. It performs well, engine is peppy. The automatic transmission shifts very smoothly. It steers/brakes excellently, turns nicely. Radio sounds great. Trunk has spacious room for this type of car, especially with rear seat backs folded down. I get 32.7 MPG combined with mostly city/heavy urban driving. You get good value for the money with this car.
The right balance
I think Kia did a great job on finding the right balance between looks, safety, fuel economy and price. You usually have to trade gas economy for looks or price for safety. I have to drive 100 miles a day and this car gets me there as cheap as possible through initial cost and gas mileage. I have fun getting to work too.
pleased with this car
Nearing 79,000 miles, all driving done in and around the mountains of southern vt. Except for 5k oil changes and regular service, the only work I've needed is a wheel bearing, fuel tank purge solenoid and air bag wiring clip (all covered under waranty). Put 4 good studded snows on this car and you'll go anywhere. 34-35 miles per gallon, I've hit 39 on the highway, driving at 60-65 miles per hour
them Koreans are good!
Well, had to get a new battery. otherwise, going fine. Batt was 120 bucks. I remember at Pep boys, a new one was like 15 bucks or so. Heh, so much for inflation.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Wish it was stronger but a overall good
I'll tell you I'm hard and neglectful on cars and this Rio has kept up. I didnt give it a oil change for 15000 miles and it started and drove like a champ. I have had small problems (eats through tires and brakes wear.) Not to confy. I drove from California to Texas and I'll say I'm young and those seats i cant stand to sit in them for more than a hour. Decent on gas. I'd recommend this car to young kids that are neglectful and need a good car to get them by. Nothing fancy. I do like the strong speaker system.
Quick, Quiet, Quality
Have owned for 5 months now, this car has proven its more than I initially expected. It has a peppy engine, good mileage (28 in town) very easy to drive and park. And with all the standard airbags and the great 100,000 mile warranty, I am looking forward on having this car for many years.
Not your typical econobox
A great commuter car for $13k. I'm 6'5" 235lbs and the Rio fit me the best out of all the subcompacts. Adequate power and excellent mpg. Front seats are very comfortable! Stereo system is pretty decent for stock. Fun to drive...easy to park...cruises nice and smooth on the highway. Handling is surprisingly sporty. Interior is styled and laid out well.
A Great car
My first car I ever bought and I love it to death. I'm in the process of trying to upgrade it as far as performance and found a few things. But it's still a new car so there's not much out there for now. But it's still a great car through and through.
Would buy it again
I really enjoy the car's spacious trunk and interior. It drives very well for a car of this class and feels safe. I trust my lead-footed teenager with it. My only regret is that after four years it gives me no reason to trade it on a new Forte or Soul. My wife drives an 06 Kia Sedona and these are both reliable, satisfying autos. I hate taking it in for the annual inspection and having to walk through the showroom past the new models.
Gets You Where You Need To Go
My wife bought this Rio in 2010 used for about 8000 US$ with an odometer reading of 40kmiles. There are a number of parts replaced in this Kia, first was the shocks, which was replaced at 80k miles. Two ignition coils were replaced on separate occasions. Batteries were replaced 3 times during the ownership. Tires were replaced twice. Timing belt was replaced recently at 129k miles. This car being 1.6L 4 cylinder powered, is decent enough for city driving and occasional highway driving. The trim we got has manual windows and no power locks which is an inconvenience as you had to reach out to unlock the doors. Good thing the car is small for me to reach the locks. I tried buying a power door lock kit from Amazon and attempted to install it by myself. I ended up breaking the door handle cable on the driver side. Another thing that annoys me for this particular car is the airconditioning, the A/C just turns on by itself, you can't turn it off, something is wrong with the switch. That and a dozen other problems that happened to the car, which is typical of a car of this age and price range. Don't expect it to perform as well as other bigger sedans in terms of speed, performance and comfort. Overall, we are satisfied with it and plan to keep it for a few thousand miles more before buying a newer one.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Best car I have ever owned!
I have had my Kia for almost 2 years; got it for Christmas in 2005 and it is the best car I have ever owned. I love the way it handles, the gas mileage and the roomy interior is the best ever! The stereo system is fantastic, the a/c works great as well as the heater, and I really cannot find a single thing to complain about with this car! I love it so much that the lack of cruise control, electric windows and such do not even bother me! I would rather have the good basics this car has than all of the whistles and bells that everyone else finds so appealing!
Better than expected!
We were shopping for something a little bigger (Vibe, Matrix, Focus) but this little car suits us just fine for $5000 less. Our Rio5 5-speed takes us on 100 mile round trips at least twice a week, plus a few miles back and forth to work each week. It gets up to 70 with no problem, cruises at 75-80 comfortably. The shifting is a little stiff in reverse, but otherwise smooth.
My Mistake
At 16,000 miles the battery lost a cell and left me stranded. I had the battery replaced at the dealership with out any problems,but they used another kia battery that will only last another 2 years. At 17,035 miles the transmission has started to lock up/over heat the car, will not go into overdrive and would'nt go in to 2nd gear. I will be having it towed on monday. I had called the dealer from the road saturday and they could not help me w/a loaner car or help arrange for a rental. I had a mechanic check the trans. flui d and had 2 other people witness that it was full and we checked 3 times. I am sure it is a weak defective part just as the battery was.
So far so good.
Our Rio has over 68,000 miles on it and has had no problems. Steering, brakes, everything on this car is still as tight as the day we got it. My wife had traded in her gas guzzling Jeep Cherokee and we laughed at her choice. When gas prices rose, I began using it for selling Real Estate and my clients are shocked when they find how roomy the back seat is. It is a great car for scooting around the city and taking a trip does not break the bank. With a fresh oil change I can get up to 38 mpg on the highway! City driving gets from 25 to 32 mpg. Fresh oil affects the mileage so keep it serviced.
best bargain
This vehicle is all around a great one / good mileage & reliable. Front seats are hard, though wouldn't trade it .
Wow what a little surprise
I have always been a Civic owner, but their size and cost priced me out. I needed a reliable and inexpensive little car to get me around town. In my inexpensive car search my expectations were low, but the Kia Rio took me by surprise. It is a well built, cute sporty car that reminds me of the Civics I used to own. It feels solid, it is comfortable and an easy ride. It is simple but seems far more expensive then the money I spent on it. Plus I feel like a bit of an environmentalist driving a little car that doesn't guzzle gas. It is a smooth ride for the most part and can keeps up with the rest of the traffic. A VERY wonderful car for an AWESOME price and warranty.
Sleeper of the subcompacts
Simply put, I'm 6'5" and 235lbs...the Kia Rio was the most comfortable and best "fitting" of all the subcompacts I test drove. Price, warranty, and mileage were big factors to my purchase. The car doesn't sound, look, drive, or leave you with any impressions of your typical "econo- box". After driving beaters as my commuter car for 13 years, the Rio was my first new car purchase. I actually look forward to the drive to and from work now.
Mans 2nd Best Friend!
I've now had my little Kia Rio 5 for over 3 months and just love it. This vehicle is a wonderful value and I feel really safe driving it in the city or on the highway. I get about 40 miles per gallon and that is really important because I drive about 18,000 to 20,000 miles a year. I had another Kia before this and put 200,000 miles on my old Kia Sephia. I hope everyone figures out that Kia builds a great product at the very best price.
Happily Surprised!
I was on a very tight budget and looking to buy a new car, almost certain that I couldn't get a "real" car. After researching a lot I bought the Kia Rio SX and let me tell you, this car is amazing! Drives very smooth, looks good and feels like an amazing car when you drive it. I highly recommend it. It is a very Fun car to own, and wonderful when it's time to go to the pump.
LX Kia 5 Speed Best in class....
Great car for the money. Huge improvements over 05 model. Great gas mileage. Very quiet at stand still. Car sits high up for a compact. Very roomy on the inside; has great handling around corners and turning radius. Kia has the competition beat; best in class model. Aggressive European styling.
Kia Rio 5 SX - So far so good
Just picked up my loaded Rio 5 SX. Had to special order it since I wanted the Sunset Orange with Power Package and 4 wheel disk brakes. It's a pleasure to drive and I actually look forward to driving to and from work each day again. Put some mileage on it in just a few days (400+ miles). Drives fine in heavy rain (we're getting soaked in NH).
Great Car, Great Value, Great MPG!
Was planning on buying a Honda Civic, but after test driving this '06 Rio, it seemed to be an equal in quality car, but cost $3k to $4k less than comparable Honda Civic. I've put 7,000 miles in 5 mo. So what if no power windows? I can reach across and hand crank the windows with ease! It developed a leak under the frontal area @ 32K miles. KIA dealer replaced seal, still leaked. KIA dealer then replace WHOLE TRANSMISSION @ NO COST TO ME!!! Their warranty is the REAL DEAL! I won't hesitate to buy another KIA. I consistently get 30 mpg in town and at least 35 mpg on highway. I added power locks and cruise for < $600. I LIKE MY '06 KIA RIO!!!
Toyota Yaris Quality for a Kia Rio Price
Test drove Toyota Yaris and the Kia Rio appeared to be a more refined and substantial ride. Out the door at $11,000 for an "06 LX Automatic with 500 miles vs. $15K+ for a Toyota Yaris with automatic made this an easy decision. 6 airbags for safety and a cute design on the exterior made this a perfect car for my daughter.
I was expecting too much
My family laughed when I told them I was getting a Kia. It had such good reviews and I was looking for an affordable car. Well, barely two years late, I am laughing right with them. First my car stalls at a stop light. I managed to drive it to a dealership - my board had to be replaced. 2nd just happened yesterday. My car got overheated on the freeway on the way home - this is the first time in my life I had to have it towed! I cannot recommend this car to anybody. I wish I can turn back time and get a Toyota or Honda instead. No thanks, Kia, never again!
Go ahead & laugh
Everyone seems so hyped on having the latest & greatest vehicle without regard to cost, mileage, etc. It seemed that bigger was better. How I proved them wrong. My Kia Rio is very peppy, auto insurance cost-effective, makes it to the gas pump every two weeks on $15.00 a fill, has a 10yr/100,000 warranty and has a great big trunk to put all my shopping in! And I can park in the compact car parking spaces! I have never had a mechanical/performance problem whatsoever in the three years I've owned, since purchased new.
Great car, fun to drive!
This is my 5th Kia in 8 years. The quality just keeps on getting better! I had the original 2001 Kia Rio, it was economical and cute, nothing exciting but great value with the warranty. Last month I traded in my 2004 Spectra for the Rio 5 SX. I instantly fell in love with the metal pedals, leather wrapped steering wheel and comfortable cloth. I am 6'3" and felt more room in the Rio then in the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic I tested earlier in the week. Plenty of leg space and high roof give this car a spacious feel to it. The engine is spirited and peppy. Much more power then you would expect from a 1.6 Litre 110 hp engine. Summary: Great looks in and out, comfy, powerful. plenty of airbags!
Wonderful Car
I've had my Kia for just over two years and it's still doing excellent. I'm coming up on 20k mileage and nothing has broken or been replaced outside it's maintenance. Very reliable if taken care of, and well worth the money.
The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
I just love it love it love it Handles great, holds the road, well soundproofed.
best for traffic
LOVE this car far better than my 500SL Benz. Been rear ended twice and I rear ended someone - all under 15 MPH. All times the Kia literally bounced off without a scratch thanks to its wrap around black bumper and compact solid body. EXCELLENT in heavy traffic and easy to cut in and out quickly if needed.
brake problems and gas pedal problems
Purchased because of the cost and size along with good mileage. I have had 3 brake cylinders replaced in less than 1 year two of them on the same side and still my brakes are squeaky and at times making noises that I have never had before in any vehicle I have ever driven. They seem unwilling or unable to diagnose the real problem. I am very disatisfied with the car. Problems with the gas pedal sticking 1st thing in the morning and they are unable to find the problem with that as well. I'm unhappy with the car.
Well Worth The Money
Bought this car in '06, and I have NEVER had a single problem other then replacing an accent bulb. Gas mileage is excellent averaging at about 36 MPG and it being extremely cute doesn't hurt either! Awesome buy for it's class! And I personally think the sound quality is great and and the ride is super quiet.
Better than I thought.
This car is easy to drive and park. I like the pick up the engine has, rides smooth, the air conditioning is great, cools down fast - living in Florida thats a real plus. Also like how the floor mats stay in place. Has a lot bigger trunk than I thought it would.
still love the car
I bought this car in December of 05 brand new. i loved it right out the gate. The car has good turning radius and enough kick to get some speed out of the 110 horse power engine. And the fuel mileage is great - I can go to San Diego to Huntington Beach and back and back again to the beach on one tank! I put some custom rims on the car and it looks and feels great. Controls are easy and still in love with this car
Very Basic Transportation
I bought my Kia Rio 5 on Jan. 3, 2006. I bought it because at the time it was all I could afford. Let me start out by telling you the good stuff: It's cute and has 100,000 mile warranty. That's about it. The reviewers talk about performance features and such. The car is a slug. Going up a long incline (even with overdrive turned off) is a loud and exhausting experience. The gas mileage is no where near what Kia advertises. I was told the absolute minimum gas mileage was 32 in the city. Try 22 mpg. I am a conservative driver and keep very careful records, so I am quite certain about that number. The car is very cramped; driving it for more than an hour will wear you out
Wow
Kia has really outdone themselves. As a first time buyer of a Kia I was pretty impressed at how much bang you get for your buck. My insurance only went up 40 dollars with it being fully covered, which is great. From past models I was skeptical, now I am a proud owner of one of these fine machines.
Surprisingly impressed!
First look at the Rio and I thought "not bad". Sat in the car and said, "not bad". Went for a test ride and said, "WOW"! Quite an impressive ride for a small economy class. Good looks, good price, superb handling and great gas mileage. With the solid warranty the car is virtually maintenance free for many years. Indeed I was surprisingly impressed!
Rikki's Rio
This little card is absolutely great. Great ride and very dependable. Great on gas too!