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2009 Kia Rio Bottom Line

July 13, 2009

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

To bring you the most useful review of the 2009 Kia Rio, editors at TheCarConnection.com have driven the Rio, then supplemented their firsthand impressions with highlights from other reputable sources.

Likes:

  • Neat styling
  • Sprightly handling
  • No-frills utility of Rio5

Dislikes:

  • Engine noise
  • Imprecise manual shifter
  • Iffy side-impact protection

Buying Tips:


If a no-frills three-door hatchback, priced even lower than the Rio, sounds even better, take a look at the closely related Hyundai Accent.

The 2009 Kia Rio is the smallest, most affordable model from the rapidly growing Korean brand. It comes as either a sedan or a Rio5 five-door hatchback version distinct from its cousin, the three-door Hyundai Accent.

Power is a relative term, but since the Rios are small, they feel quick on their feet. The 2009 Kia Rio and Rio5, both offered in LX and SX models, share a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 110 horsepower. It can be teamed with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic. Fuel economy for the new model year hits 25 mpg city, 35 highway for the automatic, 27/32 mpg for manual shift cars—good but not great numbers.

Other aspects of the driving experience are quite delightful, considering the price. The Rio handles reasonably well, brakes seem strong, and there's enough peppiness for most driving, aside from high-speed passes; the only exception is that the Rio's manual shift linkage can feel imprecise. The Rio SX versions have specific tires and suspension settings, and they feel slightly sportier. Engine noise is a problem across the line, and it finishes the otherwise satisfying driving impression on a slightly sour note.

But this is a subcompact vehicle, not an SUV, so the 2009 Rio should be used for four adults on shorter trips. The seats themselves are fairly comfortable, and the interior trim is of a good grade for this price class. Pleasantly, there is nothing cramped about the interior, and even the rear seating area offers plenty of leg, head, and shoulder room for an average adult male. On the Rio5, a fairly large cargo area tucks beneath the hatchback.

Kia scores four- and five-star ratings for crash protection in the 2009 Rio and Rio5, but side-impact protection lags with a three-star rating for passenger side protection. Six airbags—including side, curtain, and dual front airbags—are standard, while anti-lock brakes are optional.

While the base model of the Rio comes with few features, the 2009 Kia Rio LX models have a CD stereo, and they offer a Power Package that includes power locks, mirrors, and windows; keyless entry; and heated mirrors. The SX version gets sport tuning for its suspension, fog lights, and a spoiler. Newly available for 2009 is Sirius Satellite Radio. LX and SX models get a USB audio port.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2009 Kia Rio, also consider:

Reason Why:

The Honda Fit is the leader in this class, thanks to a clever folding rear seat, as well as superior fuel economy and crash performance. The Hyundai Accent four-door is essentially identical to the Kia Rio sedan; the Accent also comes in a hatchback version, as does the Toyota Yaris. The Chevrolet Aveo is sized and shaped like the Kia Rio and Rio5, but has a slightly better interior.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Kia Rio doesn't quite measure up in the details, but it's a pretty good choice among subcompacts.

To bring you the most useful review of the 2009 Kia Rio, editors at TheCarConnection.com have driven the Rio, then supplemented their firsthand impressions with highlights from other reputable sources. Likes:Neat stylingSprightly handlingNo-frills utility of Rio5Dislikes:Engine noiseImprecise manual shifterIffy side-impact protectionBuying Tips: If a no-frills three-door hatchback, priced even lower than the Rio, sounds even better, take a look at the closely related Hyundai Accent. The 2009 Kia Rio is the smallest, most affordable model from the rapidly growing Korean brand. It comes as either a sedan or a Rio5 five-door hatchback version distinct from its cousin, the three-door Hyundai Accent. Power is a relative term, but since the Rios are small, they feel quick on their feet. The 2009 Kia Rio and Rio5, both offered in LX and SX models, share a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 110 horsepower. It can be teamed with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic. Fuel economy for the new model year hits 25 mpg city, 35 highway for the automatic, 27/32 mpg for manual shift cars—good but not great numbers. Other aspects of the driving experience are quite delightful, considering the price. The Rio handles reasonably well, brakes seem strong, and there's enough peppiness for most driving, aside from high-speed passes; the only exception is that the Rio's manual shift linkage can feel imprecise. The Rio SX versions have specific tires and suspension settings, and they feel slightly sportier. Engine noise is a problem across the line, and it finishes the otherwise satisfying driving impression on a slightly sour note. But this is a subcompact vehicle, not an SUV, so the 2009 Rio should be used for four adults on shorter trips. The seats themselves are fairly comfortable, and the interior trim is of a good grade for this price class. Pleasantly, there is nothing cramped about the interior, and even the rear seating area offers plenty of leg, head, and shoulder room for an average adult male. On the Rio5, a fairly large cargo area tucks beneath the hatchback. Kia scores four- and five-star ratings for crash protection in the 2009 Rio and Rio5, but side-impact protection lags with a three-star rating for passenger side protection. Six airbags—including side, curtain, and dual front airbags—are standard, while anti-lock brakes are optional. While the base model of the Rio comes with few features, the 2009 Kia Rio LX models have a CD stereo, and they offer a Power Package that includes power locks, mirrors, and windows; keyless entry; and heated mirrors. The SX version gets sport tuning for its suspension, fog lights, and a spoiler. Newly available for 2009 is Sirius Satellite Radio. LX and SX models get a USB audio port. Other Choices:If you like the 2009 Kia Rio, also consider:Honda FitHyundai AccentChevrolet AveoToyota YarisReason Why:The Honda Fit is the leader in this class, thanks to a clever folding rear seat, as well as superior fuel economy and crash performance. The Hyundai Accent four-door is essentially identical to the Kia Rio sedan; the Accent also comes in a hatchback version, as does the Toyota Yaris. The Chevrolet Aveo is sized and shaped like the Kia Rio and Rio5, but has a slightly better interior. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Kia Rio doesn't quite measure up in the details, but it's a pretty good choice among subcompacts. To bring you the most useful review of the 2009 Kia Rio, editors at TheCarConnection.com have driven the Rio, then supplemented their firsthand impressions with highlights from other reputable sources. Likes: Neat styling Sprightly handling No-frills utility of Rio5 Dislikes: ...

Other Choices:

The Honda Fit is the leader in this class, thanks to a clever folding rear seat, as well as superior fuel economy and crash performance. The Hyundai Accent four-door is essentially identical to the Kia Rio sedan; the Accent also comes in a hatchback version, as does the Toyota Yaris. The Chevrolet Aveo is sized and shaped like the Kia Rio and Rio5, but has a slightly better interior.

Next Steps:

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See the Kia Rio in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

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