2001 Kia Rio Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
22 -25 City / 30 HWY
Source FuelEconomy.gov
Horsepower
96
Seats
5
Front angle view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Julie Alcaraz
Found a great car
I found this 2001 Kia Rio on OfferUp last June 2019. It was only $600 so I was skeptical. I picked it up made the transaction and drove it home I'm completely satisfied with this car. Bonus it only had 87,000 miles on it when I bought it and now it's barely hitting it 90,000
accountCircle Emily W
That is has run well over 100, 000 miles and still runs smoothly.
I love this car it is not too small, but not so big to be bulky. There is limited storage, but it runs really well. Does well in all kinds of weather. Not too many issues. However it has had issues with the speed sensor, but it was very easy to fix. It is good on gas and I love driving it everyday.
accountCircle Tracy J
Best car I've owned - Kia customer for life!
I am a proud owner of a 2001 Kia Rio 4 door sedan & I absolutely love my car! Extremely reliable, beautifully designed inside & out and great gas mileage without any loss of power when you need it. Spacious & comfy interior, control panel at your fingertips and handles great - making it a car that's actually fun to drive! Never have any problems out of this car at all - starts up strong everytime. Kia has made me a customer for life!
accountCircle Brandy S
Gas mileage is amazing! What I do not care for key entry to trunk.
I love my car! It gets amazing gas mileage! It is the perfect size for myself and family. The one thing that I would change though, is the key entry to the trunk. I wish it has a button to pop it open. In case the keyhole breaks or something crazy like that. Maintenance is very easy to keep up! With the 2001 model had power steering.
accountCircle Daniel M
The gas mileage is phenomenal on the car, only have to fill it up once a month.
While the car is very reliable and has few miles on it, the transmission is starting to go 20 years later. Had to replace a few things here and there, but it is served me extremely well over the years. I would marry this car if I would, and I am sure it'd be a great wife and gentle lover.
accountCircle Heather N
It has great power. It also rides nice.
It's a extremely old car and is not pretty.. I have never had 1 issue with it.. I feel very safe driving it body is very solid.
accountCircle Nawaz A
My vehicle is in good condition but I want to upgrade to an new car so I am looking forward for an newer model
The important thing you should know about my car is that is is clean and it works
accountCircle Dominque w
Sorry, I brought it used. I honestly can't highlight an interesting detail. I can't even use the drive side back door.
I brought the vehicle used and it didn't run. I fixed it up to get it running and it has been running ever since. The man issue I have is a/c going out. Other than that it's a reliable one child family car.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Lois D
The captain chairs in the center row are important, with a large family.
Has good gas mileage. Constantly in need of repairs. Have to replace brakes twice a year. Motor problems are constant.
accountCircle Will E
When you don't make enough this is the car.
Makes pop noises when I hit the breaks, or go down hill, ac doesn't work makes weird noises from the ac, zero horsepower it can't accelerate at all.
accountCircle Heather N
It has great power. It also rides nice.
It's a extremely old car and is not pretty.. I have never had 1 issue with it.. I feel very safe driving it body is very solid.
accountCircle Nawaz A
My vehicle is in good condition but I want to upgrade to an new car so I am looking forward for an newer model
The important thing you should know about my car is that is is clean and it works
accountCircle Dominque w
Sorry, I brought it used. I honestly can't highlight an interesting detail. I can't even use the drive side back door.
I brought the vehicle used and it didn't run. I fixed it up to get it running and it has been running ever since. The man issue I have is a/c going out. Other than that it's a reliable one child family car.
accountCircle Wanda D
One of the most important things others should know about my car(Kia Rio) is that it stance up to It's value/cost.
What I like about my vehicle is the brand, the smaller size of it that still have much room in the inside and trunk. I like the low gas mileage. It's comfortable on the inside. I love how it handle the road.
accountCircle Teri H
It is not a high performance vehicle but is a great option for someone who just does basic daily driving and needs something economical.
It has been durable and served me well as a commuter vehicle for almost 18 years, with good fuel efficiency. It has no bells and whistles, no features that I don't need or that might distract me on the road. My complaint is only one known issue with this model that causes my check engine light to cycle on and off when there is no real mechanical problem; it is an annoyance but a minor one for It's age.

Kia Rio Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
4dr Sdn Manual
96 HP 26-26 MPG 5 Seats
car
4dr Sdn Auto
96 HP 28-28 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2001 Kia Rio Owner Reviews

3.42
12 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 33%
4 stars 8%
3 stars 42%
2 stars 0%
1 star 17%
accountCircle Tracy J on March 22, 2021
Best car I've owned - Kia customer for life!
I am a proud owner of a 2001 Kia Rio 4 door sedan & I absolutely love my car! Extremely reliable, beautifully designed inside & out and great gas mileage without any loss of power when you need it. Spacious & comfy interior, control panel at your fingertips and handles great - making it a car that's actually fun to drive! Never have any problems out of this car at all - starts up strong everytime. Kia has made me a customer for life!
accountCircle Daniel M on February 17, 2021
The gas mileage is phenomenal on the car, only have to fill it up once a month.
While the car is very reliable and has few miles on it, the transmission is starting to go 20 years later. Had to replace a few things here and there, but it is served me extremely well over the years. I would marry this car if I would, and I am sure it'd be a great wife and gentle lover.
View All Reviews (12) chevronRightAlternative

Ranks #19 Small Cars by Owners

The 2001 Kia Rio has an average owner rating of 3.71 out of 5 which ranks it #19 of 24 other Small Cars.

1
car
2001 Mazda 626
4.28
2
Tie
car
2001 Volkswagen Jetta
4.25
19
car
2001 Kia Rio
3.42

Ranks #8 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2001 Kia Rio has a combined MPG of 33 which ranks it #8 of 24 other Small Cars.

1
car
2001 Toyota Echo
41 MPG
2
car
2001 Honda Civic
40 MPG
8
Tie
car
2001 Kia Rio
30 MPG

Is The 2001 Kia Rio A Good Car?

It’s a passable vehicle. Goes places reliably. It’s very small, certainly not a family vehicle. I cannot comfortably fit two car seats in the rear seats. There’s nearly no leg room, unless... Read More
Melissa B.

How Reliable Is The 2001 Kia Rio?

It is a reliable car. Mine is prone to overheating, especially when driving uphill. However, I think that’s due to poor maintenance by the previous owner, and not an inherent flaw in the car. There... Read More
Peggy H.

Is The 2001 Kia Rio A Good Value?

I only paid $600 for mine. But I bought through a friend. It might be worth more through a dealer. For as reliable as it is, it was a great value.
Patrick F.

Related Articles for 2001 Kia Rio

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Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test
(Not Tested)
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety