Faults:

The check engine light goes on when I run it below -30 C, and doesn't go off until it warms up to 0 for a day or two.

The dealer installed cruise control stops working at about -10 C.

The radio inexplicably jumps to a different station occasionally.

General Comments:

Other than the listed minor complaints, I have enjoyed driving this car very much. It is the second Kia Rio I've owned, and may well be the next car I purchase.

It is peppy, nimble, and has a great turning radius. In winter with decent tires, it is incredibly sure footed. Great gas mileage, too.

My first Kia was just as good as this one. In fact, I bought my wife a Soul last year, and she loves it. I would highly recommend either vehicle.

Faults:

Until now, it has been totally reliable.

My only complaint is about the vibration of the steering wheel above the speed of 120 kph. I did some research on that, and it seems that it is because of the tires. I didn't check it with the service center yet.

The quality of the trim is not very good, and the dashboard is easily scratched.

General Comments:

This review is for the sedan 4 door version of the car. Very comfortable car, it is a big step ahead of the old Rio. Very good quality for the price you pay. My friend has a Hyundai Accent 07 and it is the same car, and has the same engine with the Rio.

PRICE/CAR RATIO

This car is for the people who are tight on the budget, and who are not badge snobs, In Greece they are very rare, and I hardly see any on the roads.

This car was priced 11000 euros, and for this price I could only get 1000cc or 1100cc cars, which are pretty smaller and have less power than this car. So for me the competition was between this car and the Hyundai Accent, which was a bit more expensive. I preferred the looks of the Rio over the fat looking Hyundai, and got one in silver and I never regret buying this car.

In the past I have had some Japanese cars (like Pulsar-Almera CJ2, Mitsubishi Galant VXR V6) and my last car was a Kia pride 1.3, which was a complete disgrace, but it was reliable.

CONSUMPTION

The fuel consumption is very good; in normal every day use I manage to get 11.5 km/liter (about 8.75 liters/100km), which is not bad for a car weighing 1200kg. On long journeys 6 liters/km is achievable (yesterday I've done it by maintaining constant speed of 90 and using the 5th gear with air conditioner off.).

PERFORMANCE

Well, you get some, you lose some. The acceleration of this car from 0 km/h is not good. The first gear is just for starting the movement of the car, and the gear throws are pretty long, shifting from 1st to 2nd takes a long time and this affects the acceleration. The most of the torque is from 2500rpm to 5000rpm, and for fast acceleration the car needs to be pushed hard.

On the motorway the car can easily keep up with the traffic. With 4 adult passengers and 200 kg of baggage in the boot, I could easily reach 180km/h. The rpm in high speeds is high though (3000 rpm for 100 in fifth).

PRACTICALITY

The boot is very large and easily accessible, the rear seats can be folded down, there is enough space for 2 adults and a child in the back, and the legroom is pretty well even for passengers who are 180cm tall, but if someone is taller than that s/he will not feel comfortable at all. There are not lots of little storage compartments in the car, only two cup holders for the front passengers in the middle of the front seats.

SECURITY

The EX trim has 6 airbags 4 in front and curtains in the back. It has immobilizer but no alarm; for that you have to pay extra and get the "LX" trim.

ACCESSORIES

Air con works well, the lights are very bright and all the electric accessories work in a tight and fast manner. The whole sound system is Sony (courtesy of the dealer maybe).

All in all, I'm very satisfied with this car and would suggest it to any one who needs a reliable car for normal transportation, but if you are looking for performance, this is not for you.