Kia Rio

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

the Internet and places like Edmunds.com to find out volumes about new small car offerings.

I still want an '06 Rio and the same four are still available at Robert Allen Kia in Pocatello. One, a black '06 LX, is an automatic tranny so it's immediately disqualified from further contention.

I've read so many reviews from so many reviewers(professional or owner reviews) on the new Rio's that I know what to expect ahead of time with the car. A test drive still could render the Rio too small for my wife and I though. The Pomeranians will do fine with the back seat, I know. It sounds like all frames of body types are getting into and out of the new Rio's just fine, though, with decent legroom and hip and shoulder room.

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

please give more of your impressions about your Rio5!

And congratulations! I have my eye on either a 2006 Rio5 in Tropical Red and 5-speeds or a Silver 2006 Rio LX sedan in 5-speeds or a Sapphire Blue 2006 Rio LX sedan in 5-speeds. Is yours a 5-speed or automatic?

Quieter than a Kia Optima inside? I did read that Kia put gobs of sound-deadening goo(that hardens, of course!

)so road noises would be drastically reduced.

riomike · February 2006

I had the new Spectra, 2004 and a half! It was great, kept it for almost two years, put 36K miles on it and got $7,200 trade in. Not bad considering I put a lot of miles on it. The leg space is the same in the Rio5 and as I mentioned before, at 6'3 I feel very comfortable behind the wheel. I was afraid that a 1.6L engine would feel like an old three cylinder Geo but it is just as lively as the Spectra, I guess the lightweight helps keep this car peppy and fun to drive. Handling is amazing, absorbs bumps rather well!

The SX has great interior looks with the metal trim and metal pedals. The leather wrapped steering wheel is so comfortable to hold. And yes the car is not as noisy as my brothers 2003 Optima! Surprising but true!

I drove my sister in laws Scion XA two weeks ago when the Spectra was being used by my wife for the day, the Scion XA is so simplistic, plain and noisy, it cant even compare to the Rio5. Much less interior space as well. Add in all the safety features and awesome warranty and you can't beat this car. By the way, gas mileage after my first refill 31.8 MPG. Not bad at all. My Spectra was at a steady 25 MPG, my old Rio (2001) was getting roughly 26 MPG so this is a vast improvement!

I highly recommend this car, I might buy another for my wife as a graduation present, mine is white and I know she wants Saphire Blue or Sunset Orange.

riomike · February 2006

oops, sorry forgot to mention that its automatic, too much traffic in Miami for stick!

BTW, stereo system in the SX is fantastic, just as good as in the Spectra EX.

Cant think of any complaints but if I do I will post them!

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

wow, your comments are helping me to solidify my surety of getting either a 2006 Kia Rio LX or a Kia Rio5. The Rio5 is sounding pretty good, and I like the color of the one at the lot for sale here in town. It is a color called Tropical Red, and fits the little hatchwagon well.

OTOH, there is also a Sapphire Blue Rio LX sedan and a Silver Rio LX sedan at their lot for sale. The Silver looks sharp on the small sedan with those large black mouldings Kia stamps onto the sides of '06 Rio's. I wasn't sure I liked those large mouldings at first but now they've kind of grown on me. How about you, riomike, do you like those black side door mouldings Kia is putting on the '06 Rio's? Now, I think I would be disappointed if they weren't there!

All three of the '06 Rio finalists are 5-speed manuals, BTW. Wouldn't have it any other way!

I may go test driving later this week, maybe Thursday.

Oh, riomike, about the SX's stereo. Does it play out the high notes well? Even my '01 Sportage 4x4 had 6 speakers factory-installed in it, which includes tweeters installed on the corners of the dash. The Sportage's stereo rocks nicely. Does the 2006 Kia Rio5 SX's stereo reproduce the screechy high notes pretty well? I mean, would the late Rod Price's (Foghat) screechy lead and slide guitar solo's resonate great in the cabin, or would I need to install a completely new set of speakers? I know, everyone's tastes for sound vary a tad, but what do you think?

riomike · February 2006

I love those black moldings even though the first time I saw them I thought they were nasty. Now they just seem like an integral component!

The speaker system is great, listened to Metallica, Genesis and Depeche Mode. These three groups all have differing sounds but sounded just fine in the Rio5!

One huge difference between the Rio5 and Sedan is that the hatch has 15" tires while the sedan uses 14". The extra inch makes a huge difference in handling and overall ride quality.

Tropical red is cool I almost wanted that color but opted for the more conservative white. In the hot Florida sun white is a pleasure!

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

I guess I knew that white was a color option for the Rio5 SX but still had to do a double-think when you said you had a white Rio5 for 2006, riomike!

Yeah, I have read that comment from many a reviewer, that the 15" tires the Rio5 offers make for much better handling and ride quality. That and the leather-wrapped steering wheel, metal pedals and the other metal accents for design added only with the Rio5 SX have me steering towards the Rio5 SX again.

We're finally losing our snow here in eastern Idaho so
test driving will be much more productive later this week!

Be sure and add any more comments about your Rio5 SX as they pop into your head, riomike. Enjoy that little bugger-the more I see this new Rio from Kia the more I dig it. :shades:

Some Drive-By Truckers would sound good in there, too! Hey, they'd sound good right now in the house, for that matter! Rock on!

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

riomike! I'm soaking it all up!

I am still planning on test-driving Rio5's and Rio LX's for 2006 in 5-speed form later this week.

In contrast to warm Miami, we experienced a high of 39 degrees today in my home city of Pocatello, ID. Yes, it is considered a city!

riomike · February 2006

I might have mentioned earlier that I got my Rio5 at invoice ($14,800) minus owner loyalty not bad, however I have a friend who bought the Rio5 in silver this week fully loaded at $14,500. I guess I should have argued more but I couldnt do much because my trade in Spectra had high mileage for a 2004. I did pay the difference in cash but I thought I negotiated a great deal and now my buddy Dave beats my deal by $300.

I was told the reason why not so many Rio5's are available is because there was a strike in Korea a month or two ago and production lines were at a stand still. Supposedly huge shiploads are on their way from Korea. hope they come in soon because my grandfather is on a waiting list at one of our many local Kia dealers for a Rio5 in Saphire Blue. I wanted that color but did not want to wait the three weeks (as per Kia corporate HQ) but anyway I am happy with white, it looks classy, I just need to wash it often!

b3nut · February 2006

Because Russ Darrow Kia in Madison WI has a bunch of Rio5's in stock. They have a couple loaded Sapphire Blue ones on the lot. The model doesn't seem to move as fast as the Sportages though, Madisonians seem to still be in SUV mode, odd for a liberal city which should have more of a "thing" for puppycars than it has.

The one I drove was black...not a bad color, but I love that blue...it's close to what my current Escort ZX2 is. My wife's Neon is that color, too...wonder if she'll pick on me for not getting a different color...what can I say, I just love a metallic blue.

The tropical red is pretty sharp, and that silver is rather classy, and white almost always looks good on a car. Not sure I can get into that dark orange they offer on that car though...

I'm still shopping around, but I haven't seen another car that has the mix of affordability, equipment, and fuel economy that the Rio5 has. Well, there's the Scion xA, which is a good car, but it's too cramped (and I can't warm up to that absurd center-mounted speedo and lack of a coolant temp guage, I need guages, I'm a geek! :P ) Chevy Aveo...erk. No 5-door Accent, 3-door won't quite work for me. 5-door Focus...superb road manners, but gas mileage out of line with that class of car. My 6-year-old Escort ZX2 is horribly out of tune with 157K on the clock and holes in the PCV breather and a busted PCV valve, and it still runs rings around the Focus's MPG reports. When it was in tune I could hiit 40mpg on the highway...why has Ford gotten worse when technology's supposed to be advancing?

Hello Kia.

Todd in Beerbratistan

backy · February 2006

I'm still shopping around, but I haven't seen another car that has the mix of affordability, equipment, and fuel economy that the Rio5 has.

If you can wait a month or two, the Fit may be a good fit for you in terms of affordability/equipment (about $13.5k with all the safety equipment, power package, and stereo), fuel economy (33/38), and even better versatility than the Rio. Until then, the Rio5 stands out although the 5-speed Elantra 5-door will give it a run in fuel economy and exceed it in comfort, room, and equipment for about the same money.

b3nut · February 2006

It's somewhat cute, has some handy features, and it's a Honda. Downside is that sharply-sloped nose, I'm afraid it'll have the same can't-see-the-nose-at-all problem my father-in-law's '06 Civic coupe has. He's used to it, I found it somewhat creepy to drive (only with traffic, on open road the car is simply splendid), and was uncomfortable parking it in a standard space opposite another car. Also, the Fit doesn't have a proper standard opening for the stereo. My current ZX2 has a non-standard goofball radio, and the adapter kits that attempt to allow installation of a standard stereo are very crude and ugly. Rio5? Nice double-DIN opening, you can install almost any radio you like. I want the ability to easily replace the factory stereo when it dies (or if I get the upgrade bug, which I'm known to do with audio). The Fit's a great little car, but I'm having trouble warming up to the overall look of it. And there's no coolant temp guage, just idiot lights. I've had coolant temp guages come in handy more than once.

The Elantras are nice vehicles, I took a nice well-varied test drive in an '06 GT the other day. Very smooth on the highway, though I found the handling slightly detatched, it's not as tight or immediate as the Rio's feel. The steering just felt a bit off to me, the response didn't feel right. The automatic shifts smoothly though, didn't try a 5-speed as my next car needs to be an automatic. The interior's a bit dated-looking, but not bad. I understand it's being replaced this fall, which can mean great deals, OTOH in its current trim I find the Elantra a bit bland and nondescript. Good car though, reminds me of 80's Japanese hatches.

But the Fit will sell well, it's a great "fit" (hehe) for a lot of users.

I'm not making the move until around April when we get the ducks in a row, so to speak...but so far I really like that dang Rio5...it's just got a nice design to it that I like.

Todd in Cheesecurdistan

riomike · February 2006

I saw the Fit at the New York auto show, looked almost silly. Rio5 has sort of a muscular look to it, fit looks tiny like a Scion XA (which I test drove and hated, couldnt fit inside). I think the Toyota Yaris and the fit will both do well based on their names but I'll take my Rio5 over them anyday! I think I would even take my fathers Suzuki Areo SX over those cars.

I am not saying that Kia is better then those companies but I believe that Kia offers better features for your money and of course a better warranty than those companies. Not to mention that in my 8 years of owning 5 kias (1998 Sportage, 2001 Rio, 2002 Spectra, 2004.5 Spectra and 2006 Rio5) I have never had a mechanical problem. Only problems I had were:
1998 Sportage, power window front passenger side stopped working after 2 years, fixed within 2 hours at dealer, covered by warranty!
2002 Spectra, After 1 year belt was making noise, replaced under warranty!

Only 2 minor and resolved issues in over 8 years of kia ownership. Certainly cant complain, and they have a loyal customer for life!!

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

there are others like me! If you look back here on Edmunds through the years you'll find I'm their most loyal Edmunds customer. backy will attest to that as would several other Edmunds regulars.

I too love the value quotient for price paid with Kia products. Sounds like I'm preaching to the choir with you, so I won't gush on too much. You've already bought a number of Kia's already!

Yep, any fixes on my '99 Sephia were recalls or warranty fixes and the same for my '01 Sportage 4x4. The Sportage 4X4 needed two power windows(the back ones)fixed. Something about the regulator failing. All under warranty. The '01 Sportage 4x4's alternator went out on me late in '04 though at around the 88,000 mile mark. One Edmunds regular told me that they thought that was too soon for the alternator to go out. I disagree though the part was not cheap. The mechanic didn't charge me for towing and I feel I was treated fairly by him in that deal. I didn't go to a Kia dealer for that one because planning could not be arranged-it was a surprise disabling part failure-something that rarely happens with a Kia product I've had.

I too love the 2006 Kia Rio5 and I'm just about to go and test drive. The Sapphire Blue '06 Rio at my dealer is a LX. The Rio5 is Tropical Red. I think it goes well with the car and if I fall in love with those metal pedals, aluminum touches and leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter accents I may come away with the Rio5. The LX's are both 5-speeds(as is the Rio5)and they are SIlver and Sapphire Blue in color. All three would look wonderful in my driveway.

I can get the $400 College Grad discount and the $500 Owner Loyalty discount but I read that that is only if I finance through Kia Motors Financing, and I'm not sure that I will. I'm off work 'till Wednesday so I've got time to browse, drive and work a deal out.

Whoo-hoo!

BTW-I agree, the Rio5 especially has a "muscular, sporty" stance to it that has really grown on me. I think Americans will warm to the new '06 Rio as they see them more on the road.

b3nut · February 2006

That's my impression too. I think the Yaris is more attractive than the xA or Fit, but why they keep putting the speedo in the middle of the dash I'll never figure out...it's just wrong!

The xA's wheelbase is the shortest of any production car, and while I can get comfortable in the front once I get the seat positioned I can't get into the back seat behind me. I can get into the back of the Rio5 with the seat set where I like it (I make sure that anyone forced to ride behind my driver's seat can do so without resembling a sardine, hehehe!)

I do wish the center armrest was more substantial, but it's good enough...my ZX2 lacks that amenity altogether (never bought the optional one) so I'm gaining a feature.

I spent some time just walking around the Rio5 yesterday, taking in its lines. Dang that's a sharp little car, and it grows on you even after it first grabs your attention. It's most likely that it's the one that will follow me home after bidding a tearful adieu (hehe) to my ZX2, which has been an enjoyable car to own. I did have the timing belt break at 132K, but that's because I failed to change the thing at 120K like I was supposed to. At least the Zetec isn't an interference engine... :surprise:

Todd in Beerbratistan

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

at least you admit it was because you failed to have it changed at 120,000 miles...instead of blaming Ford for it breaking like some people would do.

I agree about the Rio5's lines, but I also include the Rio sedan in there as well. I like both body styles enough that I still don't know which one I want, it will take a test drive of them both to tell me.

b3nut · February 2006

...is a sharp looker too. I'm going for the hatch because I want the cargo space. The sedan has an impressive trunk for the size of the vehicle, too...doesn't look like there'd be much trunk space just looking at the car, but then you open the trunk...dang.

Yes, I hasten to add that the belt failure was my fault when talking about the one major repair my ZX2 has had. The only other failure I've experienced in the car was the headlight switch dying at 2:00AM on the way home from a bar gig. I had to hold the flash-to-pass function in all the way home, about an hour's drive. I blamed my former employer, Japanese switch supplier Tokai Rika, for the failure of their switch.

I'm 99% sure that's where the LCS (lever combination switch) came from, it's common to Mazda too and TR is a huge supplier to Mazda as well as Ford, GM, Toyota (100%), and Chrysler, among others. As a sidebar, if you have an American-made Toyota, most if not nearly all of the switches in your car (depending on model) were made at the Tokai Rika plant in Battle Creek, Michigan. Worked there for 10 years...lots of really neat products come out of there, including replacement Lexus keys.

(TR actually makes fine switches, wouldn't lead that segment of the industry if they didn't, but a dud's going to make it out at some point hehehehe! I tried not to ever pass any, but...

Todd in Beerbratistan

riomike · February 2006

I did quite a few miles with the AC on the last two days. About 60% city driving. Tank was just below half, I filled up at BP and did the calculation on my cell phone: 27.2 MPG, not bad at all, thats mostly city evening driving with lights (including fog lights) and AC on. I am satisfied with the latest results.

I agree that it's a tough choice between the Sedan and Rio5. I had first considered going for the Sedan LX, but once I saw those metal pedals and leather wrapped steering wheel it was love at first sight with my hatch!

BTW, every day I become more and more impressed with the peppy engine on the Rio. I have no problems passing anybody on the interstate or on my block. I keep expecting for something to disappoint me with this car but I just keep on getting more and more attached to this car every day.

My father came down from New York this morning, I let him drive the car from the airport and he was impressed. he drives a Toyota Corolla in NY, he said the Rio feels more powerful, he was shocked when I told him it has a 1.6 litre, 110 hp engine. I think he should trade in his 2003 Corolla for a 2006 Rio5 in Saphire Blue or Sunset Orange, I will convert him over to Kiaism (I should coin that term!) before he heads back next week!

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

Kiaism is firmly entrenched in this padre already!

I sure am liking your comments on the Rio engine, it sounds more than capable.

If I bought one I think I'd be the first one in Pocatello, ID, to have one. I have followed the 2006 Kia Rio shipment story from Day One at Robert Allen Kia in Pocatello and they've had a '06 Rio on their lot since, oh, November probably, and the first one was that Black Rio LX with an automatic transmission. The next three Rio's in came with manual transmissions, just what I needed! :P

But they've sold nary a '06 Kia Rio. We're 160 miles north of Salt Lake City and 45 miles to the north lies Idaho Falls, the next city of any size near Pocatello. I don't think there's a Kia dealer there. Boise, Idaho surely has at least one Kia dealer but is 200-odd miles west of here. So, I mean, if I snag one soon here I'll be the first Pocatellan to drive one. I'll be attracting some stares!

riomike, does your '06 Kia Rio5 SX get stares?

I'll confidently say that it does definitely get stares there in Miami.

riomike · February 2006

Yes I get plenty of stares here, I was driving around South Beach this evening and I parked at a meter on Ocean drive, I had to piss so badly and I know a hotel where just about anybody could walk in and use the restroom, beats trying to find a bush! The spot was right across the street from a cafe where people were seated outside, I felt many eyes checking out my ride. I got my windows tinted the other day one level over the legal limit. I think the dark tinting matches the black side moldings very nicely!

My neighbor who parks right next to me at our condo parking lot told me that he thinks my Rio5 is way cooler then his Chevy Aveo, and much sportier looking too. I had to agree with him of course.

My wife claims that her friends who saw me drop her off at work the other day were very impressed by the car and were surprised to hear it is a Rio! i really think that Kia needs to advertise the Rio a bit. I see commercials for the Sportage and the Sedona all the time, I remember when the 2004.5 Spectra came out a couple of years ago Kia ran plenty of commercials. I guess the best advertising is when new Rio owners drive around town and people discover the all new Rio is one sweet looking ride.

I remember when I had my '01 Rio, for many months I didnt see even 1 on the road, by 2002 I started seeing some, now a day doesnt go by that I dont see at least 10 Rios ('01-'05). In fact on any given day I see about 40-50 kias on the road.

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

2006 Rio's today but needed more time than I thought to clean the '01 Sportage 4x4 out. Man, do those dogs take a toll on the back seat area! I whisked it pretty clean, though.

Also, yesterday, I took the Sportsman to Grease Monkey to get a Lube-Oil-Filter and then through the car wash. She's shinin' nicely, men!

All nice and ready to trade if I so choose. I'm working on innovative reasons to let my wife know we just have to have a 2006 Kia Rio5 or Kia Rio LX. Gas mileage is better for those road trips later this spring and summer, we'd be getting a brand new car with 0 miles, we'd be inhaling that new Korean car smell, etc., etc!

riomike · February 2006

Took my Grandfather to the Kia dealer yesterday. He really liked my Rio5 and was ready to trade in his '93 Grand Marquis for anything that gets more then 14 MPPG. He is not so fond of the hatchback thing so he intended to purchase the Rio LX in Polar blue. The dealer had 5 Rio LX's available, two were manual but he wanted auto, the three automatics were without the power package. He wanted keyless entry and power mirrors so he told them he could wait.

The dealer was so desperate to get him to take a car that they pushed him towards the Spectra, they were going to get him a Rio LX by Monday morning fully loaded automatic for $13,900. They told him however that if he takes the 2006 Spectra EX they will give it to him way under invoice. Invoice was $15,200, they offered it to him in Ice Blue for $14,500 and then they took another $700 off for the rebate and he got the car for $13,800. I know it's been said before on this post but Kia must do something because most people (excluding myself) would take the Spectra over the Rio when the prices are about the same. Rio must have at least a $500 rebate.

Anyway he is happy with the Spectra so I shouldnt complain, it's a sweet car! At least he bought a Kia, I tried for months to talk him into it, he was going to go for a Honda Civiv or Nissan Sentra, so I am glad that at least he came over to Kia!

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

Another happy convert to Kia! He'll love his Spectra.

My wife was getting compliments on our '01 Sportage 4x4. She's had two co-workers praise the Sportage and both wish they still had theirs. Both regret dumping their Sportage's.

She loves the Sportage and it's shining brightly, too, and serving us oh so well. It's not ours until Sept.'07, though, and the worth-to-owed ratio is not even but evening out enough so that a prudent Kia dealer would be able to cut us a nice deal without overaging the over-under thing so much that we would barf at a deal for a new Rio.

It's just those comments she's hearing!

Must be tactful. 32/35 mpg with the '06 manual transmission Rio is a nice place to begin.

For example, the mpg for the '01 Kia Sportage 4x4 is 20 city, 25 highway. Gas is around $2.17/gal for 87 no-lead here in Pocatello, Idaho.

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

I can't get the '06 Kia Rio5 SX and the '06 Kia Rio LX idea out of my mind. Hearing that you got 32.1 mpg is great to hear.

Today we drive south 160 miles to Salt Lake City, UT, in our '01 Kia Sportage 4x4. A clean and wonderful highway trip in our little SUV. Kia motorcars are great.

Keep the comments coming on your '06 Rio's, boys.

b3nut · February 2006

Wow...she isn't even broken in! Are most of your trips in it really short? I think your car wants to go for a road trip and stretch out...usually makes for a happy car.

'course I put miles on a car like they're going out of style it seems...the 3 year/36000 mile b-to-b warranty on my Escort lasted a year and a half. :P If I get the Rio5, I bet maybe I can get 2.5 years out of the 5/60K main b-to-b warranty...hehehe

Todd in Beerbratistan, drivin' foo'

riomike · February 2006

Well could be worse, I got 26.8 MPG this weekend doing mostly city driving, it was unusually cold here in Miami this weekend with temps in the upper 50's. I had the heat on most of the time and that was probably what reduced my MPG this weekend.

I am still enjoying my Rio5 so much, every morning I wake up and rush off to work in anticipation of a fun morning commute. I know I've said it before but I will say it again, the Rio5 is just so much fun to drive, every day that little 1.6 litre engine surprises me more and more!

I picked up my cousin last night and gave her a ride home from work, she thought I was driving a Mazda or Volkswagon, she was socked that Kia can make such a nice car, she used to have an '01 Rio and now drives a 2000 Sephia (that her boyfriend borrowed last night). She said this new Rio is "pimped out" (I hate that term!!) compared to the old one. I guess the metal pedals and leather steering wheel impressed her.

I finally saw one on the road this weekend, I was up in Ft. Lauderdale and saw a Tropical Red Rio5. Also saw a black Rio LX sedan the other night. Makes you realize how nice your car looks when you see others on the road!

spectraman · February 2006

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060213/SUB/60213063/1078&re- - fsect=

"Hyundai dealers said the make meeting (held at the 2006 National Automobile Dealers Association convention)generally was positive. But they did complain that the redesigned Accent subcompact is overpriced.

"The four-door is too expensive for the segment," said Scott Fink, chairman of the Hyundai dealer council. "We're trying to put some pressure on Hyundai to either reprice or heavily incentivize the car."

The four-door Accent debuted late last year. Prices start at $12,995, including shipping. A popularly equipped Accent with an automatic transmission and air conditioning starts at $14,645.

Hyundai executives said they would study the price concern. They plan to have an answer at the next dealer council meeting in March.

A new three-door Accent goes on sale this spring at a base price of $11,455, including shipping. That price is more in line with competition, said Fink, owner of Hyundai of Newport Richey in Newport Richey, Fla."

Does this story sound all too familiar???

What have I been saying about the new Rio from Day-1???
(See: spectraman, "Kia Rio 2006+" #174, 21 Oct 2005 1:01 pm!keywords=allin%3Amsgtext%20limit%3A.ef32c56%20spectraman )

I hope that the nation's KIA dealers are putting the same pressure on the KIA Motors of North America management too!

I like the Rio... I really do. But there's too many other good choices in that $14-16k range that are larger and just as nicely appointed.

-SM

chuck1959 · February 2006

Yes they are. Even though I live in a big city (Houston, Texas) every where I need to go is close by. Next week she'll get her first road trip!

I am going to New Orleans to see family and maybe Mardi Gras. It will be nice to see how she'll do on the highway. Especially the MPG.

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

but will the bigger cars available for the $13,000-$15,500 price-point get the better gas mileage the 2006 Rio5 and Rio LX sedan get? The 2006 Hyundai Accent models, too, for that matter. I'm thinking they won't.

That is why I'm still interested in the 2006 Rio's. I have to like the size fit for us, though. That must still be determined.

spectraman · February 2006

"...but will the bigger cars available for the $13,000-$15,500 price-point get the better gas mileage the 2006 Rio5 and Rio LX sedan get? The 2006 Hyundai Accent models, too, for that matter. I'm thinking they won't."

The problem is.... at the *current* price of gas, a Rio is only going to realistically save you about $241 bucks a year.

Assumptions:

A 25 mpg Spectra uses approx. 480 gallons of gas to travel 12k miles

A 32 mpg Rio uses approx. 375 gallons of gas to travel 12k miles

Spectra - 480 gals used x $2.30 gal = $1104
Rio - 375 gals used x $2.30 gal = $ 863

Annual Rio Savings: Approx. $241

Savings over a 7 year average ownership lifespan: $1,687

I think my mileage assumptions are pretty close based on real-world postings I've read online about both vehicles.

If gas prices go back up over $3.00 a gallon, then the savings would increase dramatically for sure.

But assuming that prices will stay somewhere *near* where they are now, I don't know if $241 a year is convincing enough for me to give up some of the niceities that are inherent in the Spectra/Spectra5's.

Just my .02 worth!

-SM

backy · February 2006

I agree with you.

backy, "Kia Rio 2006+" #157, 9 Oct 2005 3:09 pm

However, I noticed last night at the Chicago Auto Show that the Yaris 4-door automatic will sticker at $14k without ABS, side bags/curtains, 4-wheel discs, or power package. So the Rio is priced lower, comparably equipped, and has a better warranty. However, Kia doesn't yet have the resale value to price cars anywhere close to Toyota or Honda. (And I think the Yaris is overpriced too.)

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

then the new 2006 Kia Rio's may not be for you. Then again, with the quality gains Kia has made, this new set of 2006 Kia Rio's should be the ones that start retaining their value much better for their owners.

I mean, the Rio LX has everything I need or want and is only $13,055, before the Owner's Loyalty and even College Grad rebate are applied. It starts out being affordable, IMHO. And I love those headlights and rounders going up the wheel wells.

b3nut · February 2006

not by much at first, these things take time. Now that the new Rio shares a platform with the new Accent (the previous version of which has had good reliability the past 2-3 years) things might start to change a little. But if you're like me and you buy a car, pay it off, and drive it until it is no longer cost-effective to keep driving it, resale really isn't an issue. I don't see the Korean cars having the resale of Japanese cars for a long time yet, but I'm willing to wager that the depreciation will end up being less steep the first year than many competing domestic autos.

Time will tell, but Hyundai/Kia have a strong product now, it'll be interesting to see where they head from here. It seems they mean business...

Todd in Beerbratistan

b3nut · February 2006

Rio5's around in Madison. Someone at my church bought one as well, saw it parked outside last Sunday. Ran into a lady with one at the gas station the other day, she said she really liked it. Looking like a couple months or so, and we'll be able to turn my old faithful ZX2 in on one.

I do chuckle at the reveiws that say it could use more power. Heh. The Rio5 isn't sluggish. My first car at 16, a 1981 Rabbit Diesel with 52hp, was sluggish. Though efficiency of 40mpg in town and 60mpg on the highway was routinely attainable with that car. New VW diesels aren't as fuel-thrifty but they aren't as poky either. The Rabbit did well enough most of the time, but I do remember going up a steep hill on I-81 in Virginia with the car floored in 2nd gear doing 24mph...LOL!

I had to endure many jokes from friends when driving that car, but I had the last laugh at the filling station.

Used to drive all over the place for $5 a week...that was fun.

Todd in Cheesecurdistan

lightout · February 2006

The guy in this article says that a well packages kia rio comes about to the same price as a honda civic or toyota!!! [non-permissible content removed] i live in canada and i shopped around before i bought my kia rio 2006 EX sedan and a Honda civic with about the same options was about 6000$ more and the toyota matrix was more then 7000$ with all the taxes and fees and the garranty is way better with kia.
I never tought i would buy a non-american car but it seems this day as come(i still wouldnt buy a japanese) but with the problem i had with my pontiac in the past couple of years and the bad service and prices GM is giving these days i had to changed.
I wanted to get the Vibe but the price difference between the Vibe and Kia Rio was about 6000$ for the same equipment and even then the rio was more.And the garantty was a big plus GM is 3 years/60000km vs Kia 5 years/100000km with my budget i had to finance over 60 month so with the vibe for the last 2 years i would still have to make payments on my car without having the garranty anymore.
My mother as a Kia Rio 2004 she now as 50000km accept for regular maintenance she didnt put a cent yet she didnt even changed the brakes yet and the maintenance at the kia dealer is not expensive 68$/hr labour compared to the 86$/hr Pontiac dealer is charging.
Maybe in 4-5 years my next car i will go back with an american one but not GM,unless then have a major changed in the policies.

riomike · February 2006

My best friends sister bought a new '05 Toyota Matrix, base model a few months ago. This car had almost the same Rio5 features except there was no keyless entry or Fog lights. Also no leather wrapped steering wheel which is a feature I truly appreciate! She paid over 17K and this was a pretty fair price. I paid almost 3K less for my Rio5 (not including owner loyalty reabte) and have a car that is getting 5 MPG better then she is getting plus I have a much better warranty 9not that I ever needed to use it because Kia's cars are very well built!

Anybody who thinks the Rio's 1.6 Litre 110 hp engine is weak must test drive it first. I drove her Matrix a few days ago because I wanted to compare and I was surprised that it seemed almost sluggish compared to my Rio5. Kia has done a fine job with this car and I am not just saying that because I am almost a ten year loyal Kia customer.

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

yeah, I would not hesitate to buy another Kia at all. I trust their engineering abilities to the max.

The Tropical Red 2006 Kia Rio5 in 5-speed form is still at my local dealer, as well as the two LX sedans in Sapphire Blue and Silver, both 5-speeds.

The guy from Idaho Falls that wanted the Tropical Red Rio5 bought a used Spectra instead.

No test driving now-it's 0 degrees outside! I can wait a little. That Silver LX sedan is lookin' right to me.

lightout · February 2006

Hi
I just leased a Kia Rio 2006 over 60 months/5 years,my question is after my leased ends if i decide to buy the car can i put an extended warranty on my kia rio?? thanks

bamacar · February 2006

Rio5 is appealing, but here the article is very close to the truth. The Rio5 Manual with the power package and ABS brakes runs $15040 MSRP and is discounted to $14417. The Civic LX Manual stickers for $17060 and is discounted to $15685. The Rio5 does have the alloy wheels, but the Civic has cruise, mp3 capability, and 30 extra horsepower. Many people would gladly pay $1200 more for the Civic, and the Honda would get better mileage on the highway.

Kia and Hyundai need to get the rebates rolling on the Rios and Accents if they want a chance to compete in volume with Honda and Toyota.

riomike · February 2006

Thats a good point but I think after price people judge a car by looks, maybe even before price for some people. I personally love the way my Rio5 as well as Rio Sedan look. Every day I see hundreds of Civics and Corollas on the road. It is so boring already, not to mention that here in South Florida I have noticed more and more Mazda 3's on the road on a daily basis. I like to be unique and driving my Rio5 I get plenty of comments and looks from people, it is fun to know that people like the style of your car and notice it unlike the Civics and Corollas which oversaturate our roads and highways, Boring!!!

lightout · February 2006

How come in the U.S. the honda's are so cheap here in Canada a Civic LX(auto.) starts at 22,805$ before taxes not to mention that here in quebec we got to add a 15.5% sale tax.
My Kia rio sedan EX(auto.) cost me 17,385$ before taxes so that is a difference of 5420$ for the Civic.So when i here u write that in the states there is only a difference of about 1500$ for the civic i say WOW that's not a big difference.
P.S. buy the way i just went on the U.S. sites of both cars and the Honda Civic LX is about 3000$ more then the Kia Rio with about the same packages so i dont know where u get the 1200$ difference.

bamacar · February 2006

See my message: Rio5 manual as we were discussing from the article with power package and ABS.

Civic LX 4 door Manual. Here in the Atlanta, GA area using Carsdirect prices. The Civic has a greater difference between MSRP and Invoice (more room to discount).

When the Fit becomes available that will be the real competitor for the Rio5 and the pricing will be even closer. The Kia and Hyundai rebates really will be necessary at that time not to mention more competition from the Yaris and Versa.

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

Nope, I'm not.The review of the guy's 2006 Kia Rio sedan above exemplifies what kind of job Kia is doing on their cars and minivans. They have been working very hard and I saw some of the fruitage of their labors with my 1999 Kia Sephia sedan and then a whole lot more with my 2001 Kia Sportage 4x4. Kia made the Sportage after the Korean army jeep. No kidding. It's solid, sure and steady.

I read in a couple articles that Kia went to great lengths to fill gaps and thicken existing surfaces to the outside of the car so that road noises would be so much more minimal than before. Apparently it worked.

Gettin' real itchy ta test drive, my friends.

b3nut · February 2006

Heck, go and drive the new Rio! I think you'll find it a darn nice driving car. I was ogling the Rio5 again at the dealer yesterday and trying the CD player (I mainly ignored the radio when I test-drove the car). The stock speakers in my '00 Escort had me at Circuit City within days of buying the car, I couldn't get those speaks out fast enough. The stock speakers in the Rio5 sound pretty darn good for stock, and the CD player works well. The tweeters with the power package help. The system has decent fullness and good bass for just a quartet of 6 1/2" door speakers. I'd be happy with the stock setup for awhile, even though at some point it'll be added to (front component speakers, amplifier, and small subwoofer). The radio could stand a bit more FM sensitivity, but it gets the local Madison stations well enough.

The double-seals on the doors are impressive, I surmise that's one of the reasons I found the Rio5 to be as quiet as it is on the road - that level of quiet on the road out of a small car was unheard of a few years ago. All it needs now is aftermarket cruise, and it's a total package. I wish Kia would offer cruise on it in the US with the steering-wheel controls like the home market has, but oh well. The only little hatch that offers it right now is the upcoming Fit, and I've voiced my dislikes with that previously. Great car, but not quite "me".

But iluv, you need to drive that thing...you'll dig it, I bet.

Todd in Cheesecurdistan

lightout · February 2006

Try the Rio like the other guy said before going out and buying a Civic or corolla??

iluvmysephia1 · February 2006

Those on Edmunds who know me know I would never buy a Honda or Toyota product. And yes, never is a long, long time, I know.

Actually, dudes, I took a long hard look at Scion's tC and xA, but have decided that it will be 3 new Kia's in a row. I bought the '01 Sportage 4x4 just a few days after the horrible events in NYC. I had been itching to trade in for months before that.

That's encouraging news about the Rio5's stock 4-speaker sound system. I'll probably stay with it for a long while after buying it. Although, Pocatello has a lot of car audio stores for a town of 51,000 people. Blows me away how many there are. I'll bet I could find a great deal if, as soon as I buy my '06 Kia Rio LX sedan or 2006 Kia Rio5, I start looking at what's offered. I'm not real picky, I just demand that Lonesome Dave Peverett's great voice and Rod Price's unbeatable lead and solo guitar work get amplified to an ear-numbing degree. Dave used to say "If you ain't sweating it ain't rock and roll." Well said, Dave. Very well said.

Dudes, I have 7 straight days off from work starting tomorrow (Wednesday). What a nice opportunity to go test driving, eh?

This is the right time, men. One thing is for sure, the salesman usually knows way less than I do about the Kia product at hand. I mean, when they say something non-copasetic, I sniff it out like fresh steak meat on the barbie. No doubt.

I think the time has come to trade. I must arrange it so my wife and I go drive them together. She was the one that picked out the Pepper Red '01 Sportage 4x4! Never wonder about that talk that women influence car-buying decisions. It is so true.

Only this one seems so plain to see. 32/35 miles per gallon on the open Western U.S. roads versus 20/25 for the tough little Sportage 4x4 SUV is a fresh place to start, eh?

b3nut · February 2006

I too looked hard at the xA and test-drove it. I liked the way that little shoe-looking car handled, though the center-mounted speedo would take some getting used to. I still say...that's just wrong!

But my wife totally nixed that idea! Hehehe...fortunately, she liked the looks of the Rio5, so Rio5 it is.

Actually, I do rather like the looks of the Rio5 better than the xA or Fit...I'll just have to make DARN SURE I change that timing belt at 60K. Russ Darrow Kia (closest to me) wants $500 and change for that job...steep if you ask me, Edmunds says it should be cheaper. Still, it's less than half of what it cost me to replace it on my ZX2. And over 60,000 miles, that works out to $.0083 per mile, guess that isn't too bad.

Todd in Cheesecurdistan

lightout · February 2006

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2006_Kia_Rio.shtml

spectraman · February 2006

My KIA dealer in Michigan quoted me $550 *without* a new waterpump on a Spectra 2.0L. So... your dealer's in the ballpark as far as my experience goes.

Btw, to add a new waterpump into the repair, it will be another $230 bucks.

-SM

frandaman · February 2006

I think you're being a bit low on your MPG estimate for your area. Unless you're doing mountain climbing (obviously a possibility in your locale)you should do much better on the highway. While my daily routine is still getting me 25 to 27 MPG (and I am NOT happy with this) my "pure" highway cruises at 70 to 80 mph are still netting a cool 44 MPG. Now that I'm flipping ecstatic over!

Oh, yea, for those who haven't read too far back in the threads...2006 Rio sedan, automatic, 3500 miles on it.

Kia Rio

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