Used 2015 Kia Rio Consumer Reviews
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Very Happy So Far
I bought my Rio LX hatchback a little over a month ago. I have the 6 speed automatic, and just about nothing else as far as extras. I am not into fluff on cars, but this one is nicely equipped and has all the amenities that one needs in a basic daily driver. The little 1.6 liter engine is spirited off the line (slows down a little bit after that), and gives me decent numbers. I drive in a lot of heavy, stop and start, traffic, and I get about 26-28 mpg overall. Highway mileage hovers around 40....this is without the active ECO button engaged (turns the car into a slug).
Excellent fuel Mileage/Premium Options
This is a review after 11 months of ownership. Overall, the Rio SX Hatchback 6M is a really great car. It would have 5 stars If it had better long term durability and less weird quirks. I'm the second (or third) owner of my Rio, and it needed a new clutch at 90k miles (I've seen/heard of cars going much longer with their clutch). The clutch is a wear part, but Kia is perfectly capable of using more durable material in the clutch plate surfaces. There are other quirks such as the GPS touchscreen which has a software glitch where no matter how many times you recalibrate it will never be properly aligned; it can only be fixed by $700 replacement (according to local dealer service center). So the GPS, while its features are good and it works well once you're on your way, it's a pain in the neck to use because it's so difficult to get the touchscreen to work. At 90k miles, the interior does show wear in the driver's seat and controls, but what car this price point and segment doesn't? On to the good stuff: With the 6 spd manual, the Rio gets supremely good fuel economy; averaging 34mpg overall with 29-32 mpg in the city, and up to 40mpg on the highway (inversely related to speed). The excellent 1.6L GDI engine is mated to a pretty decent 6 spd manual; the only thing I don't like is that 1st gear is so short while 2nd gear is so tall that with spirited driving the car falls flat on its face from first to second. However, I think this is a result of tuning for economy and not outright acceleration. It would be perfect if 2nd gear we're shorter. I've come to accept that quirk, though. Despite that, it's still a ton of fun to row through the gears, and having six speeds means you will be more actively engaged with the car and its motion. Also, from stock, this is probably the friendliest manual gearbox for young driver looking forore control! The shifter is super light and easy to move. I prefer weighty firm shifting so I installed a custom stainless steel shift knob from Raceseng.com (look for Hyundai Veloster gear; same vehicle platform). The steering, while utterly numb, is relatively responsive and suits the nature of the car. This is a design philosophy taken from premium brands where numbness is mistaken for smoothness. Good steering communicates road surface and keeps you more informed. The Rio steering rack works, but I wish I could feel more of the road. Again, can we really expect it at this price point? The suspension, an area crucial for hot-hatch style driving, is surprisingly compliant, while keeping the car decently connected to the road, and it will let you pitch the car into a corner! This adds a nice dynamic to the 6 speed gearbox when you downshift into second, rev match, and power through a corner. Road noise is a bit louder, but sound dampening material is heavy and doesn't make sense in this kind of car. The Rio exceeds expectations for handling! The SX comes with 205/45R17 tires, but the 17 inch wheels will receive wider rubber up to 215/45R, which gives more options for nicer, more grippy tires (I have Firestone Firehawk A/S performance tires for Michigan). My car has faulty tire pressure monitor (YMMV), which may have just been installed improperly, but holds air just fine. Finally, a quirk that I like about the design is that depending on the angle, this car looks sleek with the cateye headlights and it looks wayore muscular that it has any business doing with the bulging wheel wells and the chonky 5-spoke wheels. It's almost as if Kia thought about making a hot-hatch version of the Rio, but that would compete too well with the Hyundai Veloster built on the same platform. Gear head Tip: some of the performance parts are interchangeable. Maybe this review of overkill, and maybe some people won't read it all, but if you did, thanks for reading and hope you feel more informed about the Rio.
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- LX SedanMSRP: $7,063330 mi away
- LX SedanMSRP: $9,495336 mi away
- LX 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $11,800339 mi away
Great Little Car
I love this car. My wife and I bought it about 1 year ago used and it has not given us any trouble. Had 21000 K miles on it when we bought it and we've now got 37000 K miles now. Will be giving this to our daughter, though as she just finished med school and needs a reliable little car where she lives. Shipping it to her today. Got the LX package and it didn't have a few items that I added. For one thing, it had no cruise control, but there's an OEM change that you can do through your steering wheel to add it. Works like a charm. Would not hesitate to buy again.
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No sense to spend more
These are a great little value and all a person needs for the average commute. Most of us drive from A to B for errands and transportation anyway and how can you beat a great running car with low insurance rates and a 10 year warranty to boot. The only negative thing I have to say is that Hyundai/Kia found a way to get another $150 profit by omitting a spare tire and jack so get your dealer to either include one or sell it to you at cost. They're going to try to convince you that the roadside assistance they give you makes up for it but I can tell you I have sat on the side of the road for hours waiting for these people to show and then many times they can't resolve the issue anyway.
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Excellent value!
I bought my Kia Rio LX Sedan brand new in 2013 for about $15,000. I have the automatic transmission and also added the "Power Package" (Power Windows and Power Door Locks with keyless remote). The car has been absolutely great! I commute 100 miles per day, mostly on the Interstate. In 3 years time, I put more than 65,000 miles on the car. I have had zero issues, no repairs, no recalls. I change the oil every 5,000 miles and that is the only time I see the dealer. For a small car like the Rio, I am really impressed how comfortable it is on the Interstate. My cruising speed is usually around 85 MPH and tire noise, engine noise and wind noise are very low. No rattles or squeaks inside the cabin either. Car manufacturers do not make big profits on sub-compact cars and as a result most of them not only make the cars small, they also make them cheap (save money on sound insulation, thin glass, etc.). Not the case with this Rio! My average gas mileage is about 37 MPG and I am sporty driver. I must say my commute is 90% Interstate. City driving definitely requires more gas. You can actually get 40 MPG on the Highway if you stick to the 75 MPH speed limit and don't drive with a heavy right foot. I never use the "eco" button. Just makes the car sluggish. Compared to other small cars, this Rio is nicely equipped. It has a relatively large wheelbase, which means it is pretty stable on the Interstate. If you push it over 100 MPH, stability suffers a bit but by that time you are also going way over the speed limit (unless you live in Germany). No other reviewer has mentioned this, but the Rio also has excellent brakes. It does not have cheap drum brakes in the rear like most competitors. Instead, it has discs all around. Stopping power is awesome. I did not pay the extra money for the EX version, but instead I got the accessories I wanted on Ebay and installed them myself (i.e. fog lights, chrome grille, mudguards). I even put a trailer hitch on it, so I can use a bike carrier. The Rio does not come with a spare tire, only a compressor and tire repair kit/foam. So I bought the spare tire kit as well. One of the features the LX did not have, was cruise control. However, the computer in the car already has the cruise control software and the throttle is "fly by wire". So all you need to do is buy an EX-steering wheel and install it in your LX...and that gives you the cruise control buttons! I plan to keep the Rio for many more years. It is nice to know that the engine is using a timing chain, so you don't have to worry about a belt that needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles. The transmission is a "sealed unit" and according to the manual, you do not have to replace the transmission fluid...ever. I'm not sure if I believe that, and my dealer recommends changing the fluid at 90,000 miles. I will probably do that. The automatic transmission is actually pretty smooth and quick. I use it in "manual/sport mode" all the time, so I can determine my own shift points. The engine is impressively powerful for just a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder. It does not make it a sports car, but the Rio does not weigh much and if you are willing to rev the engine a bit it is pretty quick! The last thing I want to say is that the styling of the Rio is best in class. I know taste is personal, but many sub-compact cars are just ugly. Go look at a Tpyota Yaris, or Nissan Versa, Ford Fiesta, etc... the proportions just don't look "right". The Rio on the other hand is really a good looking car! Overall I am very impressed with this little car. It is great value for money! Oh, and it has a 10-year 100,000 mile warranty (but you will probably never need it).
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No complaints whatsoever...
Very comfortable for a subcompact, seems like a larger car. Actually seems to have more front seat room than my 07 Optima. Excellent fit and finish. Stock Kumho tires get lots of hate on Tire Rack, but I have no complaints on noise or handling after 18,000 miles. Averaging 29.57 mpg, can't complain about that. This is an EX hatch in dark sapphire, a color that's not supposed to exist on this model. Backup camera comes in very handy because rear window and c pillar restrict view. I would recommend spending the extra money over the LX, the electronics folding rear view mirrors, etc. are worth the extra $$$.
2013 Kia Rio Ex
I am currently driving a 2013 Kia Rio in Michigan. Handles great in the snow with the traction control on (read favorite features). Very nice design, but when buying the ex model it did not come with cruise (can be added). I have been driving this car since the beginning of December 2012, just went over 1100 miles and am happy with my choice. Gas mileage does fluctuate a little bit but have had the Eco on while driving on the highway and have actually averaged around 40+ MPG. Just remember, if you're nice to your car, it will be nice to you. This is my first brand new car and am really happy. Currently leasing for a 39 month lease and wouldn't have done anything different. Love my Kia Rio :)
2013 KIa Hatchback
Looked for a car to replace 2000 Toyota Echo. Shopping for price, dependability and fuel mileage. Drove Yaris, Prius C, Nissan Sentra but settled on Rio hatchback. Sold on styling both inside and out, price and warranty. Fuel mileage is okay, not special. 38 to 40 mpg is tough to swallow coming from 42 to 45 mpg. Didn't see the Yaris being any better. Prius C was too pricey for what I wanted. 6 speed manual transmission is good, though the gears are quite close together. Normal driving is easy to skip gears. Bought manual because paying for an automatic is a rip off.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT A FREAKING SURPRISE!!!! Whomever designed this car put a lot of thought in it. The car gets great gas mileage, very comfortable and is quiet quiet quiet with no rattles. The acceleration revivals all cars its size and them some. I even like the door lock mechanism. You even have to stick the key in the lock to open the door. I love this feature the most lol. Still going great in October 2019. The best most reliable car on the road today!!!
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Kia Rio for Mio!
Went looking for basic winter transportation at a low cost and the Kia fills the bill in most areas. Korean cars are rumored to be last-generation Japanese cars that are restyled by Italian designers. This may or may not be true, but the Rio feels like some Hondas and Mazdas I've owned in the past, which is not a bad thing. The neat styling is what grabbed me to begin with and the hatchback is handy (can't understand why all cars don't have one). Inside, the fit and finish is good but the materials are pure econobox, which is how they keep the price so low (the dash is one huge piece of plastic; am thinking about buying seat covers to dress things up and hold wear down). The entry-level trim level means you do not get cruise control, premium wheels, navi or other upgrades -- but no compass? Come on! You do get a trip computer however. The car is quiet but the ride is average and handling is definitely not sporty. Engine makes a neat noise when starting, transmission shifts well but the horn sounds like a goose with asthma (if I keep the car for next winter, I'm replacing it). Mileage is good although extremely cold weather locally is keeping it down. My two sons can't understand why their old man, who's had Porsches, BMWs, Alfas, Triumphs, MGs, etc., would settle for a Kia. But then I remind them we've owned an Aspire and Festiva (both were Ford "captive" imports) as second cars over the years and they both went the distance. Come spring I may replace it when I buy something the top goes down on, or may just put it in the garage for next winter. The fact that it's under 8000 miles, has a year-and-a-half left on the factory warranty and cost me under 10 grand from a reputable lot means I shojld be able to drive it the next few months for almost nothing. Update -- still have the Rio a year and a half later. Only expenses have been oil changes and a set of wiper blades. I find the gear box the most interesting component. You can just leave it in drive, or switch it over the a manual mode which is a lot fun when in the mood.
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Love my little car!
I bought this car with 6 miles on it and commute 80 miles per day. Almost 4 years and 78k later, I am still in love. The only dislikes naturally go along with the Kia brand...road noise. Once you get past that, this car drives like a much more expensive one (as long as you don't think you need to accelerate like a race car driver) and is a great buy. I get an average of 36-38+ with a combination of highway/city miles AND adding the spare time (most new vehs removed this so increase gas mileage - it doesn't have a big enough impact to be without it on this model!) Only normal maintenance has been performed and I run conventional oil in it....looking forward to seeing how many miles I can get out of my little girl! Update: 138k, 8 years old, still going strong with regular maintenance. Beware there are 2 fuel filters with GDI and one is expensive. Be prepared.. this is the only part that has needed replacement on my car.
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2013 Kia Rio5 EX
I bought my Rio with 73 miles on it. I've only had it for about 2 weeks, but so far I'm loving it. The Eco feature is hard to get used to, but it's a really neat thing once you're accustomed to it. It's got a good amount of pep to it, actually. I love how spacious it is inside. I'm over 6 feet tall, and I can sit in the backseat (and front) very comfortably. The little features like the folding side mirrors are great. The inside and outside don't feel cheaply made at all. I am thoroughly impressed with Kia's work on this one.
Great Car
I never used to like kia cars but when I saw the kia rio I was hooked. I average about 31mpg on the street. The car is very comfortable. The controls are very easy to reach and the interior design is very very nice. Materials used on the inside dont feel cheap. As many people say that kia uses super cheap parts. The engine is strong and has good lift. ( I say this statement based on its class, small compact sedan) Outside noise is minimal. Overall this is a GREAT buy. Especially the warranty that kia gives. you'll never have to worry about the engine or transmission for 10 yrs or 100,000 miles. I got my rio lx for $15,500 with the power package plus an additional $500 off with kia finance.
great value for your money and needs
great car for regular commuters (work, school, etc). We needed a car for daily job commute. Hence fuel economy, safety, warranty, powerful engine and few tech features were on our list. My car is mostly on highways; even in downtown Chicago this is fun to ride. We didn't emphasize on interiors that much bcoz this is a commuting car! Our car is almost 100k miles now, and we are glad for the decision we made. We had compared to Elantra, Civic, Camry, Corolla, Sonic, Cruize and Focus; but selected this for its price, safety ratings, fuel and warranty.
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ALOT of bang for the Buck !
I was out the door at $15,250 with my new Rio. An exceptional deal . Car has 3,000 miles on it and I love it. Best to use NON-ethanol gasoline as the engine works better and youll pick up a couple more MPG. I get 33 MPG combined driving . Car is very comfortable for my 6'3" big frame. I swapped out the steering wheel so now I have cruise control which is a must for me. Color is red and it looks clean even when you haven't washed it in weeks. Very pleased I got this over the Nissan Versa with the lower warranty.
Better than you think
It's better than you'd think! It's been a pleasant surprise to drive and it's cuter than all get out
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Great little car
I got mine in 2013...and still driving..I have already 71.000 milles on it and the only thing I spend :a new set of tires and in total 7 oil changes since I bought this car....is great in the city...and drives good in hwy......only complaint is the tired light always pop out all times..so yes I put air on the tires every other month..make sure is ok....but I'm the only 1 with that problem so I'm used to this situation...but I admit that I'm not the best driver....but I have other cars before...and to be honest this little bug is a great car.
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Great Little Car!
I bought my 2013 Kia Rio LX sedan about 6 months ago, and I couldn't be happier. I live in Los Angeles and spend a lot of time in my car. I wanted wanted something stylish, reliable, and economical with enough pep to get up to highway speed quickly and my Kia Rio delivers on all counts. Plus it's a lot of fun to drive... I love it!
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Meh
I haven't had any major problems yet. It's a noisy ride. Tire pressure system & check engine lights keep coming on but I'm told no problem. Biggest headache is it's constantly low on oil, I have to check every two weeks and it"s usually low. Mechanic says it's an issue with these cars.
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Good little car
I got this car used with 83,000 miles so far so good. It feels alot bigger on the inside, there is just enough power & its mechanically good. I feel safe and like how it handles. It only has a 3.5 quart tank for oil so that's why it will "burn" oil faster but because it barely holds oil , I will check my oil every 1,000 miles and add it as I go. I use the vavoline maxlife & it seems ok. I'm happy with this car.
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Love This Car
Very Nice Looking Car inside and out! Great looking instrument panel. Very comfortable. This car is such a pleasure to drive. Very roomy interior. Great gas mileage. And the price was terrific.
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Really Like Car
Excellent car for the money. Gas mileage is as advertized. Combined miles of city and highway for me is 36 to 37 mpg. Highest mileage so far was 45.8 and on a combined trip of 450 miles it was 42.8. Worst mileage so far was 34.5. and we have 3200 miles on car so far. Very quiet car with smooth transmission and peppy engine. In LX you don't get cruise control and I miss that. have the power option for door locks and windows.
Best basic car ever
Forget the memories of the cheap cars like the Yugo. This was the basic bottom line, no frills model on the lot. It has been the most reliable and economical car I have ever owned. I’m getting older and need more safety assist features. Our next car will be a Kia.
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A good value
I have around 104,000 miles on my 2013 Kia Rio hatchback which I purchased new in December 2012. Given that the car was around $15,000 brand new, it has been a great value. Positives: Price, solid acceleration, good handling, comfortable for a subcompact, relatively spacious storage with rear seats down, gas mileage decent- usually about 35 mpg highway, original warranty was very good. Negatives: Hatchback has poor rear visibility, rear brake calipers seized up from rust, thin body panels dent easily. It isn't a Honda, Toyota, or Subaru. But given what I paid, this has been a more than a decent car. I continue to comfortably and affordably driven it on long trips around the country.
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The little Kia the could
I have had this car for 7 years and I can’t stay enough about how good this car has been to me. I had to put some work into it as I had some issues with sensors and engine misfires, but I still am satisfied. They were all fairly cheap fixes. I just upgraded to a 2018 Rio since my catalytic converter needs to be replaced. If it didn’t then I would have driven it till the engine or transmission blew.
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Caught fire
My Kia Rio made it to 133,000 km then caught on fire while driving. Glad the guy behind me made enough of a scene for me to notice and get out. Wouldn’t recommend.
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You will need to buy a spare tire and jacK!
My daughter recently bought a Kia Rio. After a blowout (sidewall), we were shocked to find out there was no spare and no jack! There was a silly little pump and some compound that is supposed to fix flats! But not sidewall damage - the most common damage to modern radial tires! Furthermore, the salesman at Courtesy Kia (Henderson, NV) never informed her that there was no spare! And if that is not enough, it took here over an hour to navigate the phone maze and get in touch with roadside assistance to told to "go buy an new tire and we'll come and put it on! What a rip off and quite dangerous! We live in Nevada and if you get stranded on some lonely road in the summer, you could die!
Bad Customer Service and Bad Manual Transmission
BUYER BEWARE !!! The six speed has transmission issues. Vibration at highway speeds in sixth gear. I bought one. And Im not only disapointed....Im mad!!! Customer service is horrendous. Car still isnt fixed. Would never buy another KIA based on how Ive been treated. NEVER !!!!
2013 Kia Rio LX - A great value!
This car is a great value! We needed a second car. Just purchased so I am not yet sure of the reliability on this model, but it does seem solid! Drives much better than the price. Built in trip computer is great. Supposedly, Cruise can be added by just adding a switch kit under $100. Everything else is already there. Amazing that a shop will try to charge you just under$500 to put it in. (typical). I also own a 2014 Sportage ( great price and value for a Crossover) and gave my son our 2004 Spectra that now has 190,000 miles. My daughter owns a 2015 Soul. No complaints. They are very reliable for the cost.
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Great city car but the brakes are expensive
We have had this car for 3 years. The only major repair was All four disk brakes had to break be able to replaced which was expensive. Besides that I replaced one headlight that had gone to the milky
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Rio!
Runs great after 85000 miles.No major engine problems.Not much power for highway use,but will get you around safely.Road noise can be loud but all in all a good car for the price.
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I'm not sure what people are talking about...
Our 2013 LX+ hatch now has 95,000km on it. I paid $9,000 CAD for it in 2018 with 12,000km on it, and it came with a brand new set of Nokian Hakk winter tires on rims ($1,200). I'm in Saskatchewan...brutal winters. I have spent ZERO $ on this car, other than oil changes, which I do myself, it's so cheap and easy. No oil leaks or usage, fully loaded with power everything, air, cruise, tilt/telescoping steering, heated front seats, and bluetooth. People that say these are unreliable and that you should get a Honda or Toyota obviously just like wasting their money. Great little car. I'll update when I hit 150,000km.
Poor Fuel Economy
Sticker Stated a Fuel Economy rating of 38 HWY, 28 City. I commute 55 miles ad roundtrip to work on the Freeway. I calculate my mileage at each fill up. I am luck to get 29 - 30 MPG HWY, and 19 - 20 MPG CITY. The dealer states that there is nothing they can do to help me.
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double check
Make sure of the following: Has cruise? Adjustable front rider seat? Nice looking but look for features
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horrible customer service
Car is so so, but the dealer service and quality is horrible, I took my Kia to 3 different Kia dealer and they have no customer service. My car purchased came with wrong battery installed. after 2 years the battery died, I took into the dealer to have them provide the correct battery the dealers refused.
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Zippy
This car amazed me with it's power, and speed. It shifted perfectly, and drove like a beast.
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Oldie but goodie
Bought this vehicle in 2024 when it was 11 years old. It has 180,000 km on the clock. Took it on a 3000 km road trip and it's been a charm. Seats are comfortable after all day at the wheel and the sound system is better than most cars in its price range. The hatchback allows room for my folding ebike plus luggage and camping gear. Only complaint I have is the mileage-- it seems to get about 8 l/100 km, even on eco mode, much worse than my older Prius which got around 5-6. Engine sounds good but there's a slight ticking noise under acceleration. Mechanic says that is normal. Check-engine light comes on from time to time but my mechanics says it's nothing but air leak is the fuel system-- nothing to worry about. Car is a tiny bit noisy with all-season tires but is very quiet and well behaved on the highway. Clicks along at 130 Kmh and feels much more stable than my old Prius. I don't generally bother writing vehicle reviews but this might be helpful for another low-budget buyer.
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Test driving
This car was nice to drive, the Kia of downtown LA maintains the used cars and they are in good shape for buying. I should have left a small deposit on this car. After 7 days I returned to the dealership they sold the car. I did not follow the recommendation of Edmunds.com, my fault.
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Rita rio
I’ve had this car for 4 years and has been very reliable, regular mantanience done
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Great gas saver
Like tge fuel economy, but the seat covers need to be replaced
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