Kia Rio MPG-Real World Numbers
With the price of fuel being what it is, the mileage you're getting is becoming more important. This is the place to discuss the mileage performance you're getting out int he real world.
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Niels
My problem is the MPG. Or should I say the lack of it? I traded in a long paid for pick up at 19mpg for what I'd hoped would be a mileage monster and I'm only getting 23 mpg!!! Now this is an automatic and all my driving is on country roads at 55 mph or so. I don't beat it. I'd be happy if I got 30 as opposed to the 38 advertised but come on!
Say... did anyone else on here take note of the post above? So far it's the only post about the Rio's MPG I've found online.
I sure hope that there's something amiss with his calculations, because 23 MPG is nowhere near the 30 MPG City that the Rio's rated for, yet alone the 38 MPG Highway.
Keep posting those MPG's on here lurking Rio owners, because the Rio's "superior" gas mileage is the primary reason I'd consider the Rio over the Spectra as a commuter car.
-SM
16k+ miles on my Spectra EX, and still lovin' it!
http://spectraman.freeservers.com
* Tires fully inflated? (Important as winter approaches to check the air pressure. You might also try a little higher pressure than normal, e.g. 35 psi if 30 is recommended. Stay under the max pressure on the sidewall, however.)
* Transmission in D and not 3? (I have slipped an auto tranny into 3 before without realizing it, so it's possible.)
* Parking brake off? (I know, this sounds really dumb, but there was a whole thread over in the Mazda3 discussion about a guy driving around with the parking brake partially on.)
* Length of trips? (Short trips will really take their toll on mpg. So will stop lights, if you have those on your trip.)
* Pedal technique? (i.e., do you have a light touch on the pedal, as if there is a raw egg between your foot and the pedal? Do you anticipate stops and have your foot off the gas as much as possible? These things alone account for a 20% difference in mpg between my driving and my wife's driving.)
* Miles on car? (Hyundai engines, which the Rio has, are famous for having a long break-in, during which the fuel economy improves quite a bit. So you should see fuel economy climb after the first few thousand miles and continue to climb after that. For example, I have 15k on my automatic Elantra and it is getting about 10% better mpg than it did at first.)
I didn't think about the break-in.
On a brighter note my last tank came in at 28.5mpg. I had some longer cruises in there and some expressway drives as well. I actually decided to drive it more in my usual manner and not so delicate and it seemed to like it. Hopefully the burn in period shows considerable improvement but I don't think I'll ever approach the 38 mpg advertised.
As someone mentioned the high mpg is the ONLY reason I got this car over any other. If I wanted 25mpg I could have got a bit more car than this (a bit more in the monthly payments as well).
All in all I have to say I do like the car. It rides like it is bigger than it is. Real good vision for the driver and the seats are pretty comfy. I'm 6', 200# and over 50 so comfort is a must with me and I'm quite pleased with that aspect of things. Oh, and it does look kind of muscular for a little guy. ;-)
So with only 1250 miles you should see continued improvement as the miles build. Since you are now in winter, you might see a penalty from cold weather, longer warmups, winter-blend gas etc., so the real test will see how it does come spring. I am betting you will see 30s by then and by the time of the first anniversary you will be topping 38 on the highway on occasion, since you seem to drive moderately. If I can get 38 mpg on a 135-hp 2.0L automatic Elantra, loaded with five people and gear, driving on country highways at 55-60 mph (in the summer), I am confident you will see better mpg on your Rio.
I'm enjoying my Rio5 more and more each day! I even received a couple of comments including an Optima owner at a Barnes and Noble parking lot who was shocked to see the Kia logo on the car. He parked right next to me and got out of his car at the same time, said he thought it was a Mazda! Great compliment!
I can't get over what you get for the money with the Rio5...the rest of Kia's line looks great too. More edgy and sporty than parent Hyundai's more conservative styling. And their '06 line looks really well-made...Color me impressed.
Todd in Beerbratistan
My grandfather did 600 miles this week in his 2006 Spectra, he averaged 24.8 MPG doing mostly city, not bad at all! Compared to the 12 or 13 he got in his old Grand Marquis the 24.8 is a blessing!
I read an article online that stated that anytime an automaker redesigns a model the newer version seems to hold a significantly higher resale value then the older version. The article mentioned 2006 Rio as an example of projected resale value improving during the near future. Sounded very encouraging, I will try to relocate that article and post the link.
Saw 2 2006 Rio LX sedans on the road today but I am still waiting to see another Rio5. I figure the American public would prefer the Sedan over the hatch 4 to 1. It's a shame because the hatch is so versatile and sportier looking. Well as long as people are buying Kia I can't complain over which model they purchase!
Like I said, overall I'm pleased with the mpg and I'm certainly very pleased with the car.
Thanks
So far, all things considered, I'm really happy with my Rio5...it's a great, handy little car.
Todd in Beerbratistan
"Sticker" milage started to kick in around 3k. I'm about %95 city driving most days.
Here are my current mpg stats on my Rio...
Date ($/G) Gallon Cost Odo Station MPG
04/20/2006 2.899 7.503 $21.75 5,661 BP
04/15/2006 2.839 9.114 $25.87 5,446 Gas City 28.66
04/11/2006 2.699 9.000 $24.29 5,181 Road Ranger29.08
04/06/2006 2.599 9.233 $24.00 4,899 Citgo 31.33
03/31/2006 2.559 8.597 $22.00 4,648 Thornton 27.19
03/26/2006 2.399 8.889 $21.32 4,415 Citgo 27.10
03/20/2006 2.579 9.682 $24.97 4,184 Shell 25.99
03/15/2006 2.579 4.916 $12.68 3,906 Citgo 28.71
03/12/2006 2.399 7.321 $17.56 3,771 Supersonic 27.46
03/08/2006 2.389 5.235 $12.51 3,561 Thornton 28.68
03/06/2006 2.399 8.500 $20.39 3,393 Citgo 32.09
03/02/2006 2.299 9.133 $21.00 3,178 Citgo 25.29
02/25/2006 2.169 7.839 $17.00 2,943 BP 25.73
02/22/2006 2.189 8.500 $18.61 2,724 Citgo 27.94
02/19/2006 2.429 9.511 $23.10 2,526 Amoco 23.29
02/15/2006 2.159 7.227 $15.60 2,296 Shell 24.18
02/11/2006 2.189 10.050 $22.00 2,113 Speedway 25.32
02/07/2006 2.259 10.004 $22.60 1,854 BP 25.77
02/02/2006 2.260 9.586 $21.66 1,612 BP 24.19
01/27/2006 2.278 10.090 $22.99 1,369 BP 25.35
01/22/2006 2.310 9.707 $22.42 1,127 Speedway 23.98
01/16/2006 2.329 9.662 $22.50 903 BP Amoco 23.08
01/11/2006 2.349 9.790 $23.00 669 Speedway 24.22
01/07/2006 2.399 10.009 $24.01 409 Citgo
Todd in Beerbratistan
DATE ODOMETER MILES GALLONS MPG
756
11/24/2005 993 237 10.078 23.51657075
11/29/2005 1225 232 8.026 28.90605532
12/7/2005 1460 235 9.639 24.38012242
12/15/2005 1705 245 10.29 23.80952381
12/23/2005 1898 193 7.018 27.50071245
12/30/2005 2103 205 7.205 28.45246357
1/8/2006 2253 150 6.695 22.40477969
1/8/2006 2431 178 3.999 44.51112778
1/17/2006 2635 204 8.452 24.1362991
1/25/2006 2857 222 8.085 27.45825603
2/1/2006 3037 180 6.544 27.50611247
2/10/2006 3252 215 8.184 26.27077224
2/16/2006 3364 112 5.058 22.14313958
2/25/2006 3613 249 8.493 29.3182621
3/3/2006 3843 230 8.694 26.45502646
3/5/2006 4076 233 7.387 31.54189793
3/15/2006 4321 245 9.192 26.65361184
3/24/2006 4566 245 8.583 28.54479786
3/31/2006 4760 194 6.4 30.3125
4/8/2006 4917 157 7.203 21.79647369
4/9/2006 5137 220 6.339 34.70578956
4/15/2006 5419 282 8.573 32.89396944
4/23/2006 5650 231 8.566 26.96707915
4/23/2006 5883 233 6.088 38.27201051
Overall: 28.269
That 44.5 mpg tank was pure highway. Filled up 1/2 mile from I-90 and topped off on the return. Now that made me smile!
Todd in Beerbratistan
I only got 28 going through Chicago and Rockford the last time I drove up that way though, I hit the traffic at the worst time. The last tollbooth just south of Beloit was backed up all the way to Rockford! And it was too hot to open the windows and shut the engine off, I needed the AC.
Todd in Beerbratistan
We have averaged 28 mpg in pure city driving.
During one week of mixed highway/city driving to a suburban area, 40-65 mph, we got 34 mpg.
On a 375 mile round trip to a rural community, pushing 80 mph much of the way, I got 37 mpg. So that is what I had put on our license plates. My wife has since made a 150 mile trip to another small town, with a lot of mountain driving, 55-65 mph. She got 42.5 mpg on that trip.
i am considering buying a 2006 kia rio 5 speed. could anyone post their real world mileage experience for this car? thanks!
I'll bet you can really get that little car to scoot with the turbocharger, eh?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick