Used 2012 Kia Rio EX Sedan Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2012 Kia Rio EX Sedan.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Fun to drive, good MPG, Inexpensive
shawnmh, Kenosha, WI, 03/16/2012
2012 Kia Rio EX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
I bought this car new to replace my 91' Imperial and I'm averaging 33 (70%/30% C/H) mpg at the pump and I'm loving it. Although the ride isn't the smoothest, it's definitely better than many others I've driven in this class. When you turn the ECO setting off, you get a significant boost in power and throttle response.
Handles great in the city, but acts like a small car would on the … interstate. I love the SportShift, although not the quickest shifts, it is a blast through curvy roads. The high beams illuminate very well as do the regular lights. Steering has good feel and the car is very nimble up to about 45 when the electric steering starts to show.
Design cues from Audi shows.
Short on MPG promised
lholt, North Lewisburg, OH, 01/07/2013
2012 Kia Rio EX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
Had the Rio hatchback for one year. Never came close to the 40 MPG. I drive 60 miles a day and average about 34. This driving at about 65 mph.
The car ride was noisy until I bought some good tires. The car is peppy and keeps up with traffic.
I now have 16000 miles on the car and haven't had any problems.
KIA RIO PINGING BAD?USE SHELL NITRO PREMIUM ONLY
worknman, Fredericksburg, VA, 03/19/2014
2012 Kia Rio EX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
Our Kia developed a severe pinging issue running regular gas especially with the ECO mode on.
The Kia Forum website states that Kia is running a series of ecm ( engine control computer ) software patches to solve this issue.
Many people on that forum have had the patches done and these patches have largely only helped for a few weeks before the bad pinging came back.
I finally decided … that I didn't want to destroy my engine no matter how 'great' the Kia warranty supposedly is.
I started using PREMIUM - NAME BRAND GAS AND TURNED THE ECO MODE OFF.
****Shell Nitro premium gas is THE BEST GAS FOR THIS KIA.
BETTER YET BUY A TOYOTA AND LEAVE THIS BRAND TO THE IDIOTS WHO DON'T READ THIS REVIEW!
THIS CAR IS COMPLETE FUBAR!ENGINE LIGHTS SINCE TWENTY THOUSAND MILES-RUNNING LIKE A PERSON HAVING A SEIZURE HALF THE TIME.
NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH HONDAS,NISSANS OR TOYOTAS WE OWNED.
NEVER NEVER NEVER WILL WE BUY A KIA EVER AGAIN.IF SOMEONE GAVE US ONE WE'D SELL IT THE NEXT DAY.
STAY AWAY FROM KIA!!!!YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!
After four gas tanks full of this, our Kia is running and shifting better and smoother then it ever did new.
more below-
Give the Rio a chance !
Brad R, Loretto, MN, 08/21/2015
2012 Kia Rio EX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
I've had my 2012 Kia Rio EX with the convenience package (back up camera, indicators on the mirror, touch screen display) bought it with 5 miles now has an outstanding 86,000 miles. In the summer I average 35mpg usually in the winter it drops to about 28 unfortunately. I'm still on the original factory brakes which I do need to replace asap, had a problem at 10k with evap sensor which … dealer replaced at no cost even gave us a free lender for a week while they waited for part. At 80k a clack happened upon acceleration, pinging caused timing to jump kia dealer fixed with no problem and at no cost even with the system update being expired, however car still pings like crazy upon acceleration. The passenger seat sits really low, I can't sit passenger in my car and I feel bad for my passengers. Resale value is absolutely terrible for this car however. It's been a great car, and the warranty is amazing.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2012 Kia Rio EX Sedan
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Stylish design inside and out
- Pro:plenty of standard and optional features
- Pro:long warranty coverage
- Pro:feels bigger than it is.
- Con:Engine can get noisy.
Full Edmunds Review: 2012 Kia Rio Sedan
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2012 Kia Rio in Ohio is:
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