... Then, my boyfriend's dad suggested that I tried our local Kia Garage. I took my boyfriend and had a look, my eye was immediately caught by the Rio they had on display, it was cheap, it was only two years old and it looked nice from all angles.
I took the car for a test drive, the staff ... Read review
...that I tried our local Kia Garage. I took my boyfriend and had a look, my eye was immediately caught by the Rio they had on display, it was cheap, it was only two years old and it looked nice from all angles.
I took the car for a test drive, the staff were wonderfully helpful. They simply gave me the keys and explained the indicators and wipers were on the other sides than the way I was used to in the Volvo. They put on the special ... ...is an LE.
The Kia Rio looks rather like an estate even though it is actually a hatchback. The car looks every large from the outside though I have to say it is not that spacious. When I drive (I am 5' 4") there is plenty of space behind me for back seat passengers but when my boyfriend drives (he is 6' 4") there is really no space in the back. The boot protrudes a lot and there is a lot of space with several additional storage compartments ... more
I started to take driving lessons as soon as I was seventeen. Unfortunately I had a accident which prevented me from continuing, I didn't have any lessons for a few months and then when I turned eighteen I decided to book my test. I failed my test first time, simply due to nerves, I passed on my second attempt. The day I passed I was off driving, my parents gave an old wreck, a Volvo 340, older than I was. After driving this for nearly a year I decided it was time to get a new car. I got a loan for £5,000.00 from the AA and went car shopping. I wanted a car that had quite low mileage, wasn't too old and was relatively cheap.
I live in Cornwall and our car dealerships are quite limited. When I set off I thought I wanted a salon shaped car, something like the Rover 45 or Vauxhall Astra. I looked at a 45 and soon realised that although it looked nice on the outside the interior was quite cheap looking, covered in walnut dash and plastic accessories. It really wasn't the car I thought it was and it wasn't the car for me. I also looked at an Astra, a nice car, a far superior interior to the 45, but for the money I had it would have been an older car than I really wanted. Then, my boyfriend's dad suggested that I tried our local Kia Garage. I took my boyfriend and had a look, my eye was immediately caught by the Rio they had on display, it was cheap, it was only two years old and it looked nice from all angles.
I took the car for a test drive, the staff were wonderfully helpful. They simply gave me the keys and explained the indicators and wipers were on the other sides than the way I was used to in the Volvo. They put on the special plates and off I went. I had driven quite a few cars but when I got in to this one I felt so comfortable and it was honestly the smoothest drive of my life. I went back to look at the Astra and took that for a test drive but I didn't want to become a girl racer and I knew the Rio was the car for me. I paid for the car that day, the price they had advertised was £4,495, I managed to haggle them down to £3,800 which included a service before I picked it up but meant I had to get my own tax.
I picked the car up several days later, it was sparkling and I felt so proud of it. None of my friends or neighbours had a car this new or as smart looking. I could hardly bear to drive it, I was desperate to keep it looking clean and tidy but this is me and everyone knew it wouldn't happen. I gave up and now I drive it everywhere, well I did until my boyfriend passed his test and now we go out in his car and mine is only used for work. I have to say, after the Volvo this was a big step up as my Rio has power steering and alloy wheels.
So, onto those all important details, I should also add that the model I have is an LE. The Kia Rio looks rather like an estate even though it is actually a hatchback. The car looks every large from the outside though I have to say it is not that spacious. When I drive (I am 5' 4") there is plenty of space behind me for back seat passengers but when my boyfriend drives (he is 6' 4") there is really no space in the back. The boot protrudes a lot and there is a lot of space with several additional storage compartments in the sides. The boot has a roller shelf rather than a parcel shelf which is another reason it seems like an estate.
My Kia Rio is silver with black door handles, it also available in the atrocious gold colour shown by Ciao, red and blue. The new Rio is also available in black, white and urban grey. The interior of the car is all grey, with many different shades.
When I bought my Rio there was a CD player already fitted, this was a Sony and was very good, but unfortunately it wouldn't play my mp3 CD's. My parents had bought me a CD player to go in the Volvo but it didn't fit, so this was ideal, unfortunately when we installed it two of the wires needed to be changed over so that it would remember the settings. I still haven't got around to sorting this problem out but it would be very simple, Vauxhalls also experience this problem. My boyfriend has the CD player from this car in his Vauxhall Vectra and it remembers all the settings.
My Rio also has electric front windows, I think the LS has all electric windows. The car also has all the features you would expect such as driver and passenger airbags. Two drink holders in the central console area.
I was pleased with the driver's seat in this car. You can move the seat back and forward as with most cars, but you can also move the front or back of the seat up or down. The seat also has a lumbar support which can be increased or decreased using a mechanism on the side of the seat. To tilt the chair there is a lever instead of the usual rolling device, you simply pull the lever up and then push back against it until you are comfortable, then let go.
One thing that really annoys me about my Rio is that if you start the ignition without putting your seatbelt on an alarm goes off, however this is on a timer. I don't think this is a particularly practical idea, a lot of the main stream cars have alarms which continue until you belt up. If you leave the key in the ignition with the door open the alarm constantly goes off, this is practical. The alarm is also activated when the lights are left on.
The car came with a factory fitted alarm and immobiliser, I don't know much about these as neither have ever been tested since I've owned this car.
The fuel tank in this car is quite small at 40 litres but to be honest it does not need a larger tank, because the engine is small. From full I can get around 300 miles which includes some town driving, I reckon I must get around 40 miles to the gallon.
If you are thinking of getting one of these cars you may also like to know that the tax will cost you £77.00 for six months or £135.00 for twelve months. The Rio is in insurance group 3, well, can you really see a boy racer having one of these? I had my first independent policy on this car, as a 19 year old female, fully comprehensive cover cost me just under £700.00 a year, I didn't think this was too bad. I then added my 20 year old boyfriend for £149.00 a year.
When I bought this car I had the additional benefit of nearly one year's warranty (three years when bought from new) and also RAC cover for nearly one year (again total three years from new).
When my car needed its first MOT, I spoke to the Kia garage, I wanted to get the car serviced at the same time. The Kia garage wanted to charge me about £400.00 for the MOT and service. I thought this was a bit expensive, I had it done elsewhere for half the price. So, although the cars are cheap, the after sales services can be quite expensive.
Model: Kia Rio Engine type: Four-cylinder, 1343cc Power: 80bhp @ 5500rpm Torque: 86 lb ft @ 3000rpm Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive Fuel: 42.8mpg CO2: 157g/km Top speed: 103mph Acceleration: 0 to 62mph: 14.2sec
Although the acknowledged top speed is 103mph, I have done about 110mph, this was quite nerve racking, as the speedo only goes up to 120mph.
Kia Technical Hotline UK 09050 50 50 60 Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Special Service Tools Telephone: 01922 702200 Fax: 01922 702201 e-mail: uk_sales@sptools.co.uk
Kia have recently re-released the Rio with a new shape, more like the Picanto.
The website for the new model Rio can be found at - http://www.kia.co.uk/riohome.asp
One of the problems I have found with this car is that it is so light that you can really throw it about on the road without noticing or meaning to. I have found myself taking a few corners a bit too quickly but never got into any trouble. The other problem I have found with this car is that it can sometimes be reluctant to accelerate up inclines, as opposed to hills, due to the torque. This is probably because I am too keen to get away and accelerate too hard?! I sometimes look at the shape of this car and think that it is rather odd, mostly I don't even think about it. I have not really encountered any problems in the year I have driving this car. The only thing I can really complain about, which is not to do with the car, is that I have two huge dents on the passenger side, one in each door. I think this may have been due to slightly lower quality.
The best things about this car is of course the price, the space and the handling. I still think that this car is the smoothest ride I have ever driven, the brakes are also still quite sensitive as the car has only on 30,000 miles. I love driving a car that responds instantly to every twitch. I think this could be quote a cheap and reliable family car, but as I don't have a family, I can't really comment.
I would recommend this car to anyone who is looking for a reliable budget car. I think Kia are getting better and better, this car is like most mainstream cars, the things you lose with makes like Kia are the things like quality of the sound system. As long as you look after these cars they are quiet and reliable. I think this is more of a girl's car than for blokes, although it is large, it's not spacious enough in the back, no connetations meant. I have found that most people don't think very highly of Kia, the funny thing is people who do have Kias think they are good. I would suggest taking a risk on a Kia, you'll soon learn to love them.
Advantages: Price won't break the bank, reliable, good looking, large hatchback, economical, quiet, its quite sporty Disadvantages: if you are tall there is not a lot of leg room between the rear and front seats, mine doesn't have air con
...Kia's, technically mine is the Kia Carens and his is the Kia Rio (well on paper anyway), but it is me that drives the Kia Rio 1.3 - mine is in metallic blue.
We initially brought it as ex demo mobile when it was 5mths old with only 2000miles on the clock, me being the hard business woman (from watching all these car programmes on tv with my hubby), negotiated the price down from just over £6399, down to £5,300 and they fitted my cd player in it ... ...normal 3 yr warranty, also kia assist - which is a free breakdown service that takes you to the nearest kia garage and they repair it for you and get you back on the road. So that saves you money on you breakdown recovery membership, you won't need one. Please make sure that you have your Kia service book in your car, if you have to use the Kia Assist they will need to see that the vehicle has been regually serviced.
As the car is low down, you ...
arnoldhenryrufus 12.07.2005
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Kia Rio 1.3
Advantages: Cheap, huge boot, low tax and insurance bracket Disadvantages: Basic model is low spec but you get what you pay for
I bought the most basic Kia Rio 1.3 model in February 2002. Baby number two was on the way and I couldn’t continue pushing my old car to the side of the road 2 or 3 times a week.
I looked at second hand cars but felt I would rather have a new car and the relative security that brings if something goes wrong in the early stages of ownership. With a very limited budget I decided on a Kia Rio. I have to say I was somewhat swayed by the speed the heater ... ...to child seats. The Kia Rio fulfils that brief.
It looks a bit like a stretched out Ford Focus and I think it’s side profile is actually quite appealing. The car cost me £6000. I was lucky to have the showroom model as it already had a radio and a retracting rear parcel shelf, as these would have been extra to add to a car that had to be ordered. Being under a 1.4 litre engine, it is in the lower car tax bracket which is another bonus. The width ...
PinataQueen 25.08.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Kia Rio 1.3
Advantages: Very good Value Disadvantages: Boot cover
...came across ownership of a Kia Rio sort of by accident.
Lets explain what i mean. I suggested it to my Mum and Dad after they needed a newer car than the one they had. So they bought a Kia Rio. Sadly after 2 weeks of owning the brand new Kia, Mum passed away. Dad does not drive so didn't need the car. He tried to sell it back to Kia, who didn't want to know. One dealer even offered him £2,500 less than he had paid for it 2 weeks earlier.
So that ... ...of people buying a Kia Rio are not likely to want to do that.
Comfort is quite good. Back rests could alter a little more than they do but other than that it is OK.
I would recommend a Kia Rio to people as they are a great value for money car, provided you don't expect to get much when you part exchange it for something else. But saying that they are a lot less expensive to buy in the first place, compared to focus/astra style cars.
Dealership ...
teacherman123 18.04.2005
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Kia Rio 1.3
Advantages: Cheap to run, quality build, acres of room, high spec for money. Disadvantages: Revs lower when air con turned on
...manufacturers, i stumbled across a Kia dealership. The Rio caught my eye straight away with its striking lines. Not having any knowledge of the car or badge, i went in to see the salesman hesitantly. Most of my experiences with car salesmen have not been very good i.e pushy, wont let you go till they have had a sale and a good pint of your blood. The salesman was brilliant, he didnt presurise you, gave you time on your own and a good feel of the ... ...having much knowledge of the Kia range, i had not noticed them on the road before, but now i see them everywhere. I have noticed a lot are being used as taxi cabs which must be an advert in itself.
It comes with a fantastic CD/MP3 player,all electric windows and mirrors, dual air bags, air con and 3 years warranty as well, what else could you get for the price? ( Corsa 3yrs older maybe). Why didnt anybody tell me about this car years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ...
zetashadow 23.08.2005 (26.08.2005)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Kia Rio 1.3
Advantages: Quite up to date, lots of technology, bags of space Disadvantages: Hard seats and suspension
The Kia Rio 1.3 is generally an all round good affordable family car, but as with most cars there is a few littlre floors with it. Firsty, the suspension on the car is a little too hard, whenever you drive over a speed bump or a pot hole, you absorb more of the shock than you should do, also in my opinion the suspension would be more suited to a car of a more sporty nature. The interior generally serves its purpose quite well, and on short to medium ... ...2-3 people in it. The Kia Rio 1.3 has bags of space and you can fit alsorts of things in there, its very affordable without putting itself in the "Too cheap to be good" bracket. You certainly get a lot for your money, good customer service, reliability, and a few of the essential mod-cons including alround electric windows, electric mirrors and ABS, not only that but the car prides itself on having good security by being chipped, and providing you ...
TheBigJ 08.08.2007 (09.08.2007)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Kia Rio 1.3
Value for Money
Road Handling
Comfort
Looks
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Kia Rio 1.3"
Advantages: Plenty of extras, good VFM, looks great Disadvantages: Limited dealers, no brand awareness
I recently bought a 1.3KiaRio LX brand new from a local dealer. A friend of mine has used Kia for years so I paid them a visit. The name Kia means "out of Asia" and Kia have an alliance with Chrysler, so there's some good support and R&D there for a Korean manufacturer. The Rio LX comes with remote central locking, A/C, CD player, electric windows all round, colour coded mirrors and trim, great instrument display and loads of room inside. It is stylish and is an estate car, fitting five people and luggage easily. It has some neat features like 12v power supply in the boot so you can run portable appliances, neat eh!Unlike many cheaper cars it feels substantial and its fuel injected 1342 cc engine delivers a reasonable amount of power, 80 BHP and cruises all day at 80 mph. The Rio offers everything my Mondeo has but for half the price ...
bigpod 11.05.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Kia