2008 Kia Rio Consumer Reviews

Love it.

Written by: TPNDrew on 12/04/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Rio SX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I bought this car to replace my first car (1996 Grand Am). I was in dire need of something new or newer as my Grand Am had 200K miles on it and died 3 weeks later. This was the first car I looked at and loved it immediately. This car looks great in black. My Rio's shift timing is a little awkward compared to other cars I've driven, but I'm used to it. I got the red pinstripe on the side and the matching red/grey interior. Mine seems to be the only one of it's kind in my area. The audio jack is welcomed as well as my mp3 player used to run through a tape-deck adapter in my Grand Am. The space given the car size is really impressive. As an art student, I can appreciate the extra space.

Favorite Features

Audio line-in, space, gas mileage, interior.

Suggested Improvements

Trunk release button on remote. HD radio tuner option.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

I Love my Car!

Written by: Misty on 09/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I got my Rio at the first of March. I love it while all my friends drive big SUVs and complain about the gas prices, my family of 5 fits in my car just fine and were able to take a vacation this summer while my friends stayed at home. I get 38 miles a gallon! Thank you KIA

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Mileage over rated

Written by: Edward on 08/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Rio SX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

The mileage rating of 41 MPG is very over rated and was the selling point for me. However, for a subcompact the car performs well, and even at high speed is quite and handles well. The second big selling point for a sub compact was the quietness of the car. This area outdid the other higher price cars on the lot. The sports package put the extra touch on the inside. All and all it is a good car, but I'm getting about the same with my Honda as far as MPG and the reason I treaded was for better gas mileage, so in the end I lost. Breaks do squeak.

Favorite Features

Sports package Quite

Suggested Improvements

improve the mileage or lower the MPG rating to a number that is closer to true. Better breaks

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great car!

Written by: LoveMyRio! on 08/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought my Rio to use as a commuter car to/from work. I wasn't sure I would like it but when I test drove it, I was pleasantly surprised. After 2 months, I just hit 3000 miles and I usually get 33-35 mpg. but did get 38.3 last week on a 3 hr. trip!! I love the way the car handles and it is so much fun to drive. Love the way the rear seats fold down too, so much room. Also, love the way they laid out the instrument panel/radio. Very easy to reach and use, much more than any other car I have owned. I LOVE this car and look forward to it lasting a long time. Highly recommend it!

Favorite Features

MPG, Instrument panel, comfort, roominess, fun to drive, handling,

Suggested Improvements

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

New Rio 5 LX

Written by: Peter on 07/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Rio Rio5 LX 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We got the 2008 Rio 5 LX with 5-speed manual. We are very pleased with our choice so far. The car is attractive, fun to drive, and it is good enough power-, handling-, and feature-wise for us. Shortly after break-in, we took the car to TX (1800+ miles each way). Never dawdling, with two adults and two kids, fully loaded with toys and gear, we got 33 mpg. Not bad! It would do better, though, if Kia put a 6-speed in this model. 3500+ revs in 5th for typical Southern and Western U.S. interstate driving is too much. If I often drove on Southern or Western interstates, I would be less pleased with the car. But in the hilly, trafficky Northeast, where I live, I highly recommend it!

Favorite Features

The overall combination of price, space, performance, safety, and economy are hard to beat! We'll see about reliability, mine's only two months old.

Suggested Improvements

Give this a 6-speed, for heaven's sake! I understand that it takes low gearing to get good performance from a 1.6cc engine. But give us a 6th gear to make up the difference. It's so absurd that the auto gets better highway mileage than the manual that it counts as a tranny design flaw in my book.

13 out 14 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

improvements

Written by: varmit2 on 07/06/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

just bought this car, i had previously bought a 2002 model for my daughter to attend college, never drove hers' much, hers lasted so well, that i decided to buy one for myself, I am overall pleased with mine so far, but motor is a bit noisy when accelerated moderately, and suspension is a bit choppy at times , have just got 800 miles on mine so far, but it getting right at 35 mpg and this beats my dodge ram 1500 14 mpg to death. I believe that i can get used to the Kia small quirks.

Favorite Features

audio input port , and dash display

Suggested Improvements

sway bars

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Keen on Kia

Written by: Garret on 07/04/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I just recently bought this vehicle as my daily commuter to work and school in an effort to save on gas and help the environment. I'm very pleased with my purchase. The car drives very well for what it is and the motor is surprisingly efficient. The only change that I made is I replaced the air filter with a K&N unit. Would recommend this vehicle to others.

Favorite Features

I like the fact that the car is so small, and very easy to pilot.

Suggested Improvements

The addition of a little more power would go a long way, possibly a turbo charged option for even better gas mileage.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Rio5 not well known but a good car

Written by: rs on 06/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Rio Rio5 LX 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this car as a commuter car. It is great. I get 34 mpg combined driving. It is cute, the girls love it. I did not buy it for that though. It made sense to me a good value in a nice package. I drive a lot and was driving a big truck, the monthly payment and gas for this car is cheaper than the gas for my truck. I read many reviews on the internet and reliability is up there too. For a sub compact it is quiet. Lots of features for the money. It has a small engine but has enough power to get me up hills at the speed limit. I'm very happy with it.

Favorite Features

Roomy interior, well made, gas sipping not guzzling, comfortable, 5/4 star crash rating, I got the power package option.

Suggested Improvements

better crash rating for back seat (3 star), a few more factory options, better stereo, alarm, adjustable passenger seat like drivers. overall though no big complaints.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Excellent gas sipper

Written by: Glenn on 06/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

If you're looking for an inexpensive ride that's great on gas, the Kia Rio is all you need! I bought the 4 door base to use as my "run around" car and I am getting 39 MPG based on about a 60% stop-and-go and 40% highway driving ratio. It's the best no frills car out there, easily the best bang for the buck. I never thought I'd buy a Kia/Hyundai, but with gas prices being what they are and just needing some basic wheels, this car hits the target dead on!

Favorite Features

GAS MILEAGE!!! Also, the seats are comfortable, even for a 6' 4" guy like me. I have plenty of leg and head room.

Suggested Improvements

5 speed manual shifts a little hard, especially into third. I'd like to have power steering.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Rio5 SX Wagon

Written by: Giancarlo on 06/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Rio Rio5 SX 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I traded in my Hyundai Tucson for a car I could use for my working commute. Rio5 SX was a straightforward choice. The car is compact but surprisingly comfortable and spacious. The engine is up to the task considering is a 1.6 L and the car is very fun to drive. In my first tank of gas I've got a good 33 mpg in mix condition (traffic/highway) typical in a commute scenario. Very, very satisfied with this choice that I recommend to anybody in need of a good, reliable commuting car.

Favorite Features

I love the design. I went for a SX model with full optional and I think made the difference. The 18" alloy tire, the interiors, the power windows, fog lights, the tire pressure system, the heated mirrors, etc. are all optionals worthy the $1,200 price tag. However the gas mileage is the main feature

Suggested Improvements

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post