2001 Kia Rio BX review from Australia and New Zealand

Accelerator is very sticky for no apparent reason.

Clutch is not smooth yet no problem is clear.

Spark Plugs and Leads at approx. 80k's.

After driving a very sluggish and heavy volvo, there is little improvement in this car. It is quite bluntly, gutless.

In city conditions there is excessive roadnoise, and when country driving it is terrible. The cabin is very poorly insulated from road noise.

The car produces a lot of rattles and squeaks on relatively smooth roads.

It is one of the most uncomfortable cars I have ever ridden in. There is practically no interior room and the seats are like sitting on stacks of bricks.

The clutch is long and sloppy and the accelerator is tight and sticky. This mated with the rubbery gear-box which gives little feedback makes the car quite hard to drive unless you are very used to it.

Handling is extremely poor, and I do not feel safe cornering at any reasonable speed in this car and find myself slowing traffic.

Having said all this, the car can be fun to have a bit of a thrash around in.

Visibility is good, making the car easy to park.

It is very cheap to run and is a car that you really have to drive.

As a first car, while perhaps not the safest, will give a great base level of actual driving experience, uninsulated, making them safer in the long run.

BUt I would never buy another Kia.