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2008 Kia Rio Safety Review

June 16, 2008

SAFETY | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

All five seating positions get three-point belts
Cars.com

standard front and rear side-curtain airbags
Kelley Blue Book

a score of Poor (the lowest possible) in that agency's side-impact test
Edmunds

While it is commendable that the 2008 Kia Rio comes standard with front, curtain, and side seat-mounted airbags and generally tests well, TheCarConnection.com notes problems with its side-impact crash-test scores.

The 2008 Kia Rio gets mixed results in governmental safety ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives it five stars in front passenger, front impact protection, but only four stars in driver-side front impact protection. In side impact protection, the Rio gets only three stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Rio a “poor” rating for rear impact protection.

Edmunds also states the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing gives a score of "acceptable" (the second highest of four) in frontal offset tests and "poor" (the lowest possible) in that agency's side impact test for the Kia Rio.

All 2008 Kia Rio models come standard with front, curtain, and side seat-mounted airbags. Other standard safety features for the Rio Kia are occupancy sensors and front seat pre-tensioners. ConsumerGuide lists an emergency inside trunk lid release as an additional "important safety feature." Another standard safety feature on the Kia Rio is "Child Door Locks," states Kelley Blue Book.

Most safety features are standard on the Kia Rio, but "anti-lock disc brakes are optional on those higher trim levels as well," according to Edmunds. "The LX and SX trims also come with adjustable rear headrests," they add.

Kelley Blue Book likes the fact that the "low cowl and sizable rear glass help create nearly unobstructed visibility." Cars.com agrees, stating, "Visibility is unobstructed."

Conclusion

The 2008 Kia Rio has plenty of airbags, but poor side impact protection scores and optional anti-lock brakes are a concern.

SAFETY | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:All five seating positions get three-point beltsCars.comstandard front and rear side-curtain airbagsKelley Blue Booka score of Poor (the lowest possible) in that agency's side-impact testEdmunds While it is commendable that the 2008 Kia Rio comes standard with front, curtain, and side seat-mounted airbags and generally tests well, TheCarConnection.com notes problems with its side-impact crash-test scores. The 2008 Kia Rio gets mixed results in governmental safety ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives it five stars in front passenger, front impact protection, but only four stars in driver-side front impact protection. In side impact protection, the Rio gets only three stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Rio a “poor” rating for rear impact protection. Edmunds also states the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing gives a score of "acceptable" (the second highest of four) in frontal offset tests and "poor" (the lowest possible) in that agency's side impact test for the Kia Rio. All 2008 Kia Rio models come standard with front, curtain, and side seat-mounted airbags. Other standard safety features for the Rio Kia are occupancy sensors and front seat pre-tensioners. ConsumerGuide lists an emergency inside trunk lid release as an additional "important safety feature." Another standard safety feature on the Kia Rio is "Child Door Locks," states Kelley Blue Book. Most safety features are standard on the Kia Rio, but "anti-lock disc brakes are optional on those higher trim levels as well," according to Edmunds. "The LX and SX trims also come with adjustable rear headrests," they add. Kelley Blue Book likes the fact that the "low cowl and sizable rear glass help create nearly unobstructed visibility." Cars.com agrees, stating, "Visibility is unobstructed." ConclusionThe 2008 Kia Rio has plenty of airbags, but poor side impact protection scores and optional anti-lock brakes are a concern.  2008 KIA RIO STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: "a European-inspired exterior" Edmunds: "some cheap plastic trim" Car and Driver: "it looks like something you might actually want to drive" TheCarConnection.com found that reviewers consider the 2008 Kia Rio to be somewhat attractive, ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

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 Honda Fit is the leader in this class, thanks to a clever folding rear seat, as well as superior fuel economy and crash performance.

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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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