2003 Kia Rio Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the first generation, second generation and third generation Kia Rio, from 2001, 2007 and 2012, as a used buy.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 2000-2013 Kia Rio.

Kia Rio is a small-medium South Korean car that has picked up significantly in Australia since the launch of the all-new model of September 2011. After two generations of Rios with conservative shapes, the 2011 Rio came with stunning styling that pushes it ahead of many competitors from Japan and Europe from a visual point of view. Build quality wasn’t too bad on the first generation Rios, sold from July 2000, improved significantly in the gen-two cars from August 2005 and is impressive from 2011 onwards. The bodies of the older models were generally better assembled than their interiors, though we do see the occasional rough one inside and out.Tip: Don’t forget that professional inspection.The Kia Rio is sold as either a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback and has good interior space that can seat four adults, though two grownups and two or three kids is a more practical load.On-road dynamics and build quality have improved over the years and the latest models provide a fair degree of enjoyment for the keen driver. However, some may find the ride a little too firm on rough roads. Try it for yourself during your private road test.A good set of tyres can work wonders for the handling and steering feel of older Kia Rios.Kia Rio is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine in the pre-2005 series. If worked moderately it will sound and feel fine, but drive it hard and it gets noisy and can be harsh. Engine performance is generally fine as this is a relatively light car. But it can struggle a bit on hills, so it's smart to find a hilly area to do some of your pre-purchase road testing.The newer, from 2005, Rios have a more modern 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that’s significantly more powerful, smoother and significantly better in the refinement stakes. The engine was further improved in the 2011 series Rios.A lower cost 1.4-litre engine was added to the range in March 2007, its performance is OK if you’re willing to work at getting the best from the car.Transmission options are five-speed manual and four-speed automatic in the first two Rio ranges. Six-speed units, both manual and automatic were a big feature of the all-new model that arrived in 2011, putting the car ahead of many of its rivals.The four-speed auto takes the edge of what performance the older engines do deliver. It’s smooth enough and obviously makes life simpler in the suburbs, the natural habitat of a vehicle like this.The experienced home mechanic can do a fair bit on a Kia Rio. Underbonnet access is good and these cars have old and tried technology. A workshop manual is a low-cost investment that can save you lots of hassles. Don’t do any safety-related work yourself, leave that to the professionals.Insurance is normally towards the lower area of mid-range, but seems to vary more than usual from one company to another. So it pays to shop around, as always make sure you understand what you get, and don’t get, for your premium.Poorly repaired crash damage will show as paint which doesn’t match from panel to panel; and/or a ripply finish in a panel. Check for tiny specks of paint on non-painted parts such as glass and badges. Look at the interior and boot for signs of general wear and tear.The engine should fire up within a second or so of the key being turned, even when it’s cold. As soon as it starts it should settle into a steady idle. There should be no smoke from the exhaust pipe even if the engine is worked hard. Letting it idle for about a minute, then flooring the throttle in a quick takeoff will aggravate the problem.A manual gearbox should be moderately light in its action and not crunch on any of the downchanges, no matter how fast they are made. The third-to-second gearchange is usually the first to give trouble. If the automatic transmission is slow at picking up a drive gear from Park or Neutral it may be because it’s due for a major overhaul.Check the brakes pull the Rio up squarely and that ABS, if fitted, operates when you push the pedal hard.Cars that have spent all their lives in the open air are far less desirable than those that have generally been kept under cover. Faded paint and dried out dashtops are the easiest way to pick ‘outdoor’ cars.

Just as the Japanese carmakers did 40 years ago the Koreans changed our automotive landscape when they arrived in the 1980s. Hyundai was the brand that forged the path for others, like Kia, to follow. Hyundai’s pitch was based on affordable pricing with a comprehensive list of standard features. It was an irresistible value-for-money deal.Kia was one the last to hit the local market when it launched its first models in the mid-1990s, but it too offered a similar deal with cheap and cheerful models with a decent array of features and pricing within the reach of just about everyone.Like the other Koreans Kia put new cars within the reach of those who might not otherwise be able to afford a new model. By doing so they sent the used car market into free fall causing values to plunge.MODEL WATCHThe Rio has been a popular small car since it replaced the Mentor in 2000. The Mentor was one of the first models Kia introduced here and while it struggled for sales as the brand built a following the Rio has taken the company to a new level of acceptance.There were two body styles offered, a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback. Both were quite well equipped with standard features like power steering, central locking, CD player, air-conditioning, and a driver’s side airbag. In other words they had just about everything a budget conscious buyer could want.Both body styles were appealing without being eye-catching. They didn’t set any styling trends with their soft lines and plump curves, but they blended into the landscape without causing any visual offence.Inside, they were roomy with quite good accommodation and plenty of luggage space. Those in the front had adequate head and legroom while those in the rear were squeezed in more tightly if you tried to fit three across the back seat.The Rio was conceived as basic transport, it wasn’t a car that excited anyone with a passion for cars.It had a perky 1.5-litre twin-cam four-cylinder engine boasting 77 kW at 5800 revs and 134 Nm at 4500 revs, which was enough to keep the Rio on the pace in the traffic scrum and cruise comfortably along the highway.There was a choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed auto with drive through the front wheels.Fuel consumption is one of the reasons for buying the Rio and it is generally good in that regard. It’s normal to achieve 6.5-8.0 L/100 km around town in the manual and 8.0-10.0 L/100 km in the auto.The suspension does an adequate job. The handling is secure enough for most situations, but don’t try pushing it hard around corners or you’ll soon realise its grip limitations, while the ride is comfortable on smooth roads, but a little choppy on broken surfaceA combination of disc front brakes and drum rears provides sufficient braking power, but there are no anti-skid brakes to prevent lockup.An update in 2003 brought more equipment, bigger brakes and some suspension refinements that delivered more comfort and better response.Like most of the Korean cars that have landed here to date the Rio’s build quality was variable, it lacked refinement and the fittings were course. Everything was there, but it didn’t quite come together in a fluid way.IN THE SHOPThe Rio was built to a price so it has to be accepted that it won’t have the quality of higher priced cars.Cars vary so much because of the inconsistent build quality it’s important to thoroughly check each individual car for its own faults.Expect squeaks and rattles from the body, the interior trim fittings are likely to have deteriorated and looking the worse for wear, and there are likely to be noises from the suspension.Early cars are likely to be approaching the time for a cam timing belt change, so check for a service record. Oil leaks are common so check the engine bay carefully.Cheap cars like the Rio are often bought by people who can’t afford to service them properly and neglect them as a result. Regular servicing is just as important with the Rio as it is for more expensive cars.IN A CRASHA driver’s airbag was standard, but Kia didn’t offer a passenger’s airbag or anti-skid brakes.OWNERS’ VIEWSEllis Olding has owned his Rio hatch three years and has been completely satisfied with it. He praises its comfort, luggage capacity, ease of handling and parking, and says the fuel consumption is excellent.Belinda Stinten says her 2004 Kia Rio is economical to run, cheap to service if you don't go through a dealer, but instead find a service centre that will honour your new car warranty. She has had no major problems with it and is very satisfied overall.Pauline Dunne loved Subarus, but turned to the Rio when she found the Subaru too expensive. She loves the Rio’s performance, comfort, style, roominess and economy, and would happily recommend it to anyone. She has says the service she has had from her dealer which has been excellent and inexpensive compared to the cost of servicing a Subaru.Sam Nadella’s experience with the Rio was anything but positive. He says the 2003 Rio he once owned was a terrible car. It had more rattles than the 1986 Ford Laser he owned before it. There was a problem with the fuel rail, there was a water leak into the boot area that was traced to improperly applied body sealant, and the radio was replaced three times without success.LOOK FOR• roomy interior for small car• good sized luggage space• adequate performance• lacks refinement• good fuel economyTHE BOTTOM LINECheap and cheerful small car with variable build quality and little refinement, but good fuel economy.RATING65/100

On sale here since July 2000, the Rio's sales started off relatively modestly but have picked up steadily over the years and there are now plenty on the used-car scene.In fact the Kia Rio has been on the Australian market much longer. It was sold here under the Ford Festiva badge from 1991 until the arrival of the 'real' Rio.Rio's styling was on the adventurous side when first launched, but was toned down in a facelift in 2002. The new model of August 2005 is far better looking than the older ones.Quite a few of these are now in the used-car yards and are the ones to aspire to if your budget is up to it. They are better not only in style but also in on-road dynamics and build quality.You can buy a Rio as a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback. Interestingly, the current models are smaller on the outside, but provide more interior space than the original versions. The back seat can cope with adults, but is aimed at those who are yet to reach their teenage years.Like the Festiva, the original Rio is nothing special to drive in the way of handling and road feel. It is safe enough, with understeering scrubbing off speed if you hassle it at corners too hard, but will frustrate keen drivers who want more precision.Good tyres can improve the Rio but can be costly and, sadly, you are unlikely to be able to recoup the cost of the quality tyres when it comes to resale time.The Kia Rios from 2005 are a real improvement in their handling and feel, but are still not really aimed at the keen driver.Interior noise levels are relatively high, especially if the engine is worked hard. The plastics have a low-cost look and feel. However, build quality is improving and as a general rule the later the car the better it is screwed together.The bodies are generally assembled to a higher standard than the interiors, though we do see the occasional rough one, more so in older cars.The experienced home mechanic can do a fair bit on this car. Access under the bonnet is good and the Rio is not trying to break new ground in technology. As always, we caution against doing any safety-related work yourself.Insurance costs are normally in the lower mid-range, but they can vary more than usual from company to company. So it pays to shop around.Under the bonnet Pre-2005 Rios are powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. If used moderately it will sound and feel fine — drive it hard and it gets thrashy. Performance is generally ok in this relatively light car, but if you load it up for a trip in hilly territory it may protest.The newer Rios have a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that is more powerful and smoother.Transmission options are five-speed manual and four-speed automatic. The automatic takes the edge of what performance the engine does deliver but works pretty well for what it is.Danger signs Check the interior and boot for a below-average finish or signs of mistreatment. The cabin can deteriorate rapidly.The engine should fire up within a second or so of the key being turned, even when it is cold. As soon as it starts it should settle into a steady idle.Acceleration should occur almost immediately the pedal is pushed. Any hesitation should be treated with suspicion.There should be no smoke from the exhaust pipe even if the engine is worked hard. Letting it idle for about a minute, then flooring the throttle in a quick takeoff will let you spot it.A manual gearbox should be moderately light and not crunch on any of the down changes, no matter how fast they are made. The change from third to second is usually the first to play up.If the automatic transmission is slow at picking up a drive gear from park or neutral it may be because it needs an overhaul.