USED Kia Rio Hatchback (05 - 11)

My car

Kia Rio 1.4L I bought this car primarily because it was the cheapest car available at two years old and I needed to buy one in a hurry after my old car got written off. But the car has pleasantly surprised me. The 1.4L petrol engine is exceptional contrary to the whatcar review. It's powerful and torquey if you keep it in the right gear. Transmission is very good but the first gear is notchy. Therefore it's not too pleasant to drive in slow traffic. My commute consists of urban and A roads and motorways. I get 38mpg if I drive it hard and 42 if I drive it with a light foot. Car is spacious in the front and rear. Boot is large too. Cabin has two ceiling lights. There's a seat-belt reminder, five headrests, 40/60 split seats and there is a light in the boot. Car's weight to power ratio is impressively spot on. And in my experience it shames many larger engines. Car's looks are grannyish. Interior is bland. Seats could be more supportive and comfortable. It needs a sixth gear though. Engine revs high at motorway speeds. You need to turn the stereo high to subdue the tyre roar. All in all it's a lot of car for the money. I will buy from the manufacturer again.

My car

Bought this car new 9/09 and have been really pleased with it. It has everything I need and for £8000 it is one of the better buys I have made. Insurance is only £160, the 1.4 petrol engine is nippy and is comfortable on motorways. I get about 40mpg and friends have bought one after seeing it. Ok it is not a BMW or Merc but is probably more reliable. The suspension can be a little hard on town bumps but is sweet on the open road. There is more room front and back than most cars this size and is a comfortable car.

My car

I've had a 1.5 diesel for the last 18 months and I still cant get over the ooomph that this little hatchback has! If you dont believe me, please go test drive one and put your foot as far down to the floor as you dare. (I should say I've also taken a 1.4 out for a spin - but that was very poor by comparison. Underpowered. So avoid the petrol version).

MPG is also very good and, so far, I've had no problems with it. Not a one.

The only downside is, perhaps, the interior. I've got airbags all over and the CD etc.. is fine. The seats are nice and supportive. Much better than the car I had before. But the plastic is, well, plasticky and a bit too plasticky at that. Had Kia stuck in a posher trim this car would be the bees knees!

My car

Further to the above I have today (18/11/08) received a phone call from Kia UK telling me that they will not honour this issue under warranty.

If poor geometry on a new car which causes tyres to go bald in 9000 miles is not a warranty issue, WHAT IS!!

I am posting this to help other prospective Kia customers make up their own minds as to the value of Kia's warranty.

Next time I shall stick to Citroen/Peugeot which I deeply regret not having done so 9 months ago.