2002 Kia Rio Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
Kia Rio. No, it's not the call of an exotic bird, but actually a plain subcompact sedan that at one time was the cheapest car in America. ...
Kia Rio. No, it's not the call of an exotic bird, but actually a plain subcompact sedan that at one time was the cheapest car in America. And some would say it showed in the initial quality, reliability, and features. The 2002 Kia Rio sedan does not go through any changes this year, but it is joined by the Rio Cinco, a 5-door wagon. It shares the 1.5-liter, 96-hp I4 engine and choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. But the 2002 Rio Cinco comes with a few more features that make it attractive to budget commuters looking for a little versatility.
With a 27/32 mpg, long-term warranty, and low price tag, the 2002 Rio is a great starter car. It comes with air intermittent wipers, dual front-side airbags, 13-inch wheels, and power brakes. The Rio Cinco adds a tachometer, cassette player, power steering, and a tilt steering wheel. Power windows, locks, and mirrors are not offered even as an option. Unlike the sedan, the rear seats in the Rio Cinco fold down to expand the 24.8 cubic foot trunk to 44.3 cubic feet. Unfortunately they don't fold flat. In comparison, the 2002 Rio sedan's trunk holds 9.2 cubic feet.
Generally, owners appreciate the extra trunk space in the Rio and the folding seats, something they wish was in the sedan. Though not winning any races, the engine is peppy because the Rio is so lightweight, and owners like the size for fitting into city parking spaces. Headroom is also ample for a subcompact, and front legroom is good. Rear legroom is suitable for kids. The 2002 Rio also rates highly for comfort. On the negative side, owners report numerous visits to the mechanic to deal with transmission and brake problems. They also don't like that there are few standard or optional features.
What owners say
"Overall, owners generally appreciate the 2002 Kia Rio for its affordability, fuel efficiency, and decent performance. Many drivers find it reliable and easy to maintain, making it a great choice for first-time car buyers. However, some reviewers expressed concerns about the vehicle's interior quality and the need for regular maintenance, indicating that it may not suit everyone’s needs. Overall, it’s seen as a solid choice for budget-minded individuals who prioritize gas mileage over luxury features."
Fantastic small car, first major repair at 131K (rear bearings $115 p&l), second at 161K (gear shift lever $298 p&l). Very comfortable on long trips, get 28mpg city, 35mpg highway. Car has 162K miles now, and the speedometer reading is fluctuating. Interior ratings pertain to gear shift lever, tape player which failed a few months ago, seat adjustment mechanism. Wonderful car, am going to upgrade to a newer one soon.
July 31, 2008Handles great, reliable mechanics, clean exterior, interior, very fuel efficient, low maintenance, operates on a small budget you won't be disappointed. Accessible reasonably priced parts. Good low budget vehicle. Great for college student, economical work vehicle, alternative family low cost vehicle and at US $2200, ono; IT'S A STEAL!
October 22, 2010Good quality transportation in a nice package. Does require you to stay on a strict maininence schedule. Has enough power in stock form to get out of its own way. Great on gas, with an average of 25mpg in town and 32mpg highway (my own results). Reliable, comfortable, and roomy for the small car it is. Looks that are all its own with smooth flowing body lines from the front all the way to the back. Absloutely a blast to drive when put to the test. Car handles well in hard cornering with minimal understeer. Slightly modified suspension yeilds unparalleled handling. Easy to work on which keeps maininence costs WAY down. Factory brakes are a bit lacking, yet with inexpensive rotor and pad upgrades, braking becomes superior. Acceleration is quick, for a car of it's size, with a 0-60 time of around 9 seconds (my modified Rio squeezes it in at just under 6 seconds). Car is good on gas, and does not require expensive maintinence, yet as stated does demand a good maintinence schedule.
July 20, 2009What owners say
Fantastic small car, first major repair at 131K (rear bearings $115 p&l), second at 161K (gear shift lever $298 p&l). Very comfortable on long trips, get 28mpg city, 35mpg highway. Car has 162K miles now, and the speedometer reading is fluctuating. Interior ratings pertain to gear shift lever, tape player which failed a few months ago, seat adjustment mechanism. Wonderful car, am going to upgrade to a newer one soon.
July 31, 2008Handles great, reliable mechanics, clean exterior, interior, very fuel efficient, low maintenance, operates on a small budget you won't be disappointed. Accessible reasonably priced parts. Good low budget vehicle. Great for college student, economical work vehicle, alternative family low cost vehicle and at US $2200, ono; IT'S A STEAL!
October 22, 2010Good quality transportation in a nice package. Does require you to stay on a strict maininence schedule. Has enough power in stock form to get out of its own way. Great on gas, with an average of 25mpg in town and 32mpg highway (my own results). Reliable, comfortable, and roomy for the small car it is. Looks that are all its own with smooth flowing body lines from the front all the way to the back. Absloutely a blast to drive when put to the test. Car handles well in hard cornering with minimal understeer. Slightly modified suspension yeilds unparalleled handling. Easy to work on which keeps maininence costs WAY down. Factory brakes are a bit lacking, yet with inexpensive rotor and pad upgrades, braking becomes superior. Acceleration is quick, for a car of it's size, with a 0-60 time of around 9 seconds (my modified Rio squeezes it in at just under 6 seconds). Car is good on gas, and does not require expensive maintinence, yet as stated does demand a good maintinence schedule.
July 20, 2009Honestly, it's not that bad of a car, i just don't personally like it, it doesn't suit me... I mean, it still gets great gas mileage, and that is a major plus to the car, but the fact that it's a hatchback, personally for me, ruins it a bit.
July 9, 2009Solid little car.can plow through three feet of snow.Has great get-up-and-go.flipped three times before totaled.engine is in new rio and runs great.not bad and all of this get 40 mile per gallon.I like the overall durability of these little rios
February 3, 2009*Performance - accelration is ok, braking needs some work, handling is alittle bad right now needs alinement *Build Quality - it has need alot of minor repairs, body rattles though *Appearance - Interior is good but exterior needs work(need a new hood and has some minor to major dents that need repair) *Cost of Ownership - gas mileage is about 35mpg highway and 28mpg through town, maintenance is alittle pricey for my income though *Fun Factor - the car is sometimes fun yto drive when it is running good and i have money to put gass into her
November 12, 2009
