2009 Kia Rio Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003

Crash Test Rating

Source NHTSA

MPG (up to)

25 -27 City / 32 -35 HWY

Source FuelEconomy.gov

Horsepower

110

Seats

Positive Owner Reviews

patty W

It's very dependable and very safely made.The safety ratings for my car are very high and the gas mileage is great. I love that its small but still has a lot of room. It also has great features, such as radio, cd player, bluetooth etc.

Its compact but roomy enough, gets good gas mileage. It has been a very dependable vehicle.

Chelsea Strange C

The gas mileage is good and can travel far very far without keep stopping gas.

That there are no more vehicles like it and like the mileage is better than a new car I can find the products.

Danielle K

It is extremely fuel-efficient and nice to look at!

I love the blue color and small size. It is great on gas as well. It rides smooth and is zippy.

Jason B

The Kia Rio is reliable and good on gas.

It seems to keep having issue after, but if any car is used it will. But I will say the car has great gas mileage and a nice look. The seats are soft, the big thing I would change is the legroom for the passenger. Its performance is mostly great and is reliable for it is compact size.

Jodi L

Amazing tiny car! Great gas mileage and very easy to maintain.

I love my Kia it is small and great on gas very easy to maintain and cheap to repair if needed very nice car for a single person with no kids.

Courtney C

Low maintenance vehicle!!

This car is very basic. With that comes the downfalls of now power windows or door locks. No air conditioning, power steering, and no automatic transmissions. The upside to this is there are less thing to go wrong and less expensive things to go wrong. It's not the most comfortable car as it rides like an old farm truck, but it is very dependable. I have had this car for 10 years and have put only $200 into it outside of normal maintenance. I will drive this car until it doesn't drive anymore!!

Becky B

It is good on gas, and is very reliable.

In 2013 I purchased a Kia rondo, only the 2nd car I have bought all by myself, and I loved it. I also had another car, a Chevrolet at the time. I do not work so it was a necessity for me to be able to get out and about and help others when I could. The heater wasn't working in the Chevy one morning so my son drove the Kia to work. Just as he was close to his office, the vehicle started acting funny and he pulled it on the side of the road. The vehicle caught fire under the hood and was totaled. After my insurance settled with me, that is when I bought my rio. It is very reliable, comfortable, and good on gas! I love it!

Charles T

Kia Rio is a dependable and nice looking car.

My Kia Rio has been a dependable car for 5 years now. It doesn't have the luxury of power windows or locks but since it's so dependable it doesn't matter. I have had my car for 5 years and the only things I had to maintain was oil changes and new tires. My car isn't a luxury car but it is still comfortable. The next car I buy will be a Kia because I've had good luck with mine. I would even recommend getting a Kia to people looking to buy a car.

Negative Owner Reviews

Jennifer S

It's not pretty due to cosmetic issues that have occurred over the years but is very reliable.

Very good on gas. If you maintain it it treats you well and is reliable. Compact car yet enough space for my family.

Ian H

Very comfortable, rides like a car, not SUV.

Has had electrical problems for years, also seems to be leaking water into the passenger compartment from somewhere nobody can seem to find. Will be replacing soon.

Aleisa M

Don't buy a KIA!!! Your car will be in shop!!!

Terrible... It has caused me problems since I got it and I just paid it off and the starter won't work and the exhaust is messed up

Ronald E

Even though the vehicle is small there is a lot of space for carrying items.

My car gets good mileage and runs great. I wouldn't mind having another Kia but if I do it will have power locks and windows. It will also be a little bigger so that I have more space for my passengers to be comfortable in the back seat. I have no reliability issues with my Kia Rio and its performance for the size of the engine is really good,

Dawn B

Good car for a small car.

Very loud car. Feel every bump. Had engine problems but was fixed by dealer. Good gas mileage. Fits perfectly in compact space. Paint chips easily. Cheap fabric on car seats. Heat works very fast but ac takes longer to cool. Nice set up on steering wheel for phone and radio. Phone connection is not the greatest sound.

Tay H

Life driving my Kia Rio base

My Kia Rio is awesome. Great on gas. Twenty two dollars will feel it right up. Very reliable and easy to maneuver around the streets. Just recently it has gotten a little banged up but it still gets me everywhere I need to be! Also parts don't cost as much as newer cars.

Christopher S

It is been through a lot in ten years.

I have had it almost 10 years without many problems. Great car for driving to and from work each day. I also use it to drive to night classes. Very dependable in all weather conditions. My hope is that I drive it two or three more years and then save up for a new car.

Ishmael A

I never have to pay more than 20-25$ to fill my tank up.

Great car and reliable. Gas mileage is really good but it has a small tank. Getting gas every couple days is annoying. Car is relatively tiny, but very spacious on the inside. Maintenance hasn't been an issue. It's before 2010 so it's a little out of date.

Kia Rio Models

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

Base

110 HP 30 MPG 5 Seats

Photos may not match model

2009 Kia Rio Owner Reviews

4.18

89 Reviews

Write Review

5 stars

43%

4 stars

36%

3 stars

18%

2 stars

1 star

Mary E on April 3, 2021

Dependable 2009 Kia Rio 4 door

This little car is very reliable. For the size, is very comfortable. The road noise is a little loud but not unacceptable.

Kim D on March 31, 2021

A car that when taken care of lasts. Also, has a good interior color even after years of wear. I take good care of it.

Good gas mileage. The car has a good motor along with the air conditioner in excellent working order. Also, you can plug in your M.P. 3 Player into the slot at the bottom where the shift is located at.

View All Reviews (89)

Pros from Owners

Chris H.

My car has Roll up or Non electric windows. It is compact vehicle. It is also great on mileage. The heater works most of the time. The air conditioner works very well. Easy to check the fluids. I love my Kia Rio.

Bridget P.

Small compact car. Good speed, runs pretty well. Great on gas. Good space in the trunk. Does really well on gas and does not take much. The size is good for those who rather drive a small car. Alot I'd leg room.

Abbey S.

The car has lasted over 10 years and 120,000 miles with very little repairs necessary. Runs smoothly for the most part. Only issues I have is a broken CD player and the AC needs fixing every so often. All other electrics still working. Car rides a bit low so go slow over bumps.

Jesse V.

It is a very durable vehicle. I run into little or no problems with the motor, transmission, and brake system. It has really good mileage and smooth steering on the wheel. THE Kia Rio is an overall great car.

Sophia U.

The 2009 Kia Rio sx is good on gas and stylish but can feel a little small. I bought mine as a second hand but it has not given me any trouble so far and I have barely done any repairs apart from the regularly scheduled servicing. It does not have the screen for reversing, which is something I really wanted but it is a good first car.

Oceana C.

Very good on gas. I have had this car for over a year and haven't had one problem with it other than having to replace tires and the belt. It is a decent size car for a small family as well. I am a delivery driver so this car is perfect for me to get around at work with.

Cons from Owners

Chris H.

Maintenance, I am unable to make some repairs myself and I wish the parts were more easily accessible. Oh and sometimes the heater will not come on. My Kia Rio is an Awesome car other than that. It was white but I had it painted Midnight Blue.

Bridget P.

Crankshaft sensor and spark plugs need to be replaced often. Breaks down without warning when there's an issue. We have been broke down several times in the middle of busy intersection due to the crankshaft sensor that has broke 3 times in 6 months.

Abbey S.

Faulty AC. So far I have fixed it twice and it needs to be fixed again. Rides low so I have thrown my wheel bearings out of alignment going over a speed bump. Wish it had cruise control or an automatic starter. Broken CD player but other than that great car!

Jesse V.

Even though it is has an automatic transmission, the door locking system and window system are manual. Sometimes makes it difficult to lock all the doors. I have had trouble with the light circuitry at times due to bad weather.

Sophia U.

The 2009 Kia Rio can feel a bit small, although it is a good first car. It does not have the screen used for seeing when reversing but given the year that I owned that makes sense. The trunk has an okay space, nothing too big or too small but definitely not for someone that has a lot of luggage.

Oceana C.

This car overall is a great car. The only problem I have with it is I have 3 small children and the backseat is way too small to be able to fit all 3 car seats in it. But it is perfect for someone who has 1 maybe 2 kids.

Ranks #17 Small Cars by Owners

The 2009 Kia Rio has an average owner rating of 4.18 out of 5 which ranks it #17 of 30 other Small Cars.

2009 Volkswagen GTI

4.86

2009 Subaru WRX

4.64

2009 Kia Rio

4.18

Ranks #6 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2009 Kia Rio has a combined MPG of 35 which ranks it #6 of 30 other Small Cars.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta

40 MPG

2009 Honda Civic

36 MPG

2009 Kia Rio

35 MPG

Is The 2009 Kia Rio A Good Car?

Yes. It has had minimal issues and gets good gas mileage. It is easy to fit into most parking spaces and has a considerable amount of room in the trunk to move things.

K B.

Yes. Efficient on gas. Small to fit in parking spots. Although small, sturdy enough to get on the highway. Good travel car.

Mary O.

I find it to be. I look for my cars to be very fuel efficient, and the Kia Rio definitely fits the bill.

Cc L.

The 2009 Kia RIO LX 4L 1.6L DOHC is an excellent car, it's reliable, economical, and it has enough power. The engine when new provides 110 bhp at 4500 rpm. The car weighs just above one ton. Spare... Read More

Meredith K.

The 2009 Kia Rio is a wonderful compact car. Although the car isn’t automatic meaning everything is manual such as the doors and windows but still a great car overall.

Breanna K.

Yes it is a good car vehicle. It's a gas saver and just enough space for me and my 7 year old girl. I really hope I can have this car for a long time.

allen S.

Yes it has been very reliable and has not needed any major repairs. It is safe and has been a good car for taking long road trips.

Jean B.

How Reliable Is The 2009 Kia Rio?

Yes. It has had some minimal repairs that are standard for any vehicles. I was in a wreck a few years ago and there are some electrical issues that are from those repairs.

K B.

It is reliable but mine is an older model so I have to have things fixed such as a tune up. The vehicle does not call for strong tires so they have to often be changed out for new ones.

Mary O.

I haven't noticed anything. The only recent issue was an error with the timing belt, but that’s been the only thinkable problem.

Linda A S.

It's a very reliable car. No design problems are found. The engine, automatic transmission and AC are magnificent. Also exterior body and interior are solid and reliable.

Barbara P.

The only problem my car has ran into and I think I may have caused the problem was from the gas low and when you run the gas low it messed up your fuel pump but that’s the only problem I have ever had

Victoria K.

This Kia Rio has been reliable for my few months I've been leasing it. I drove it from Montgomery to mobile with no problems. I been also to Tanger outlets in Foley Alabama and look forward to more... Read More

Hannah L.

Battery dies, brakes and tires had to be replaced, minor repairs. With regular maintenance there have been no major issues.

Jessica H.

Is The 2009 Kia Rio A Good Value?

Yes. I got the car used with very few miles. It was a very cost-effective purchase. No frequent and expensive repairs.

K B.

It has good value for the price. My car is an older model, 2009, so it cost less than $10,000. I think ur blue book value for the car in fair to good shape is around $4,000.

Mary O.

A 2009 Kia RIO LX Automatic in s good condition with a mileage just above 100,000 miles will still be able to fetch about $3500 to $4000, which is a good value for a spacious reliable sedan.

Nicole S.

My car came from a second hand dealer and it we paid a pretty penny for the car but it was well worth it because it didn't have problems

Patricia C.

It cost me $5000, which I'm leasing and finance charges and all, I think I'm paying over $7000. It may not be a good value cost wise, but I appreciate the installments and I really needed a second... Read More

Mia R.

Mine cost 12000 but normally I believe they run 20000. I think that it is a good value for the quality car.

Todd H.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2009 Kia Rio starter location?

Answer: Since this part is electrical You're first going to want to disconnect the battery on Your 2008 Kia Rio to avoid causing YourseLFAny type of injury. Once You have the battery out now go ahead and look towards...

What's the 2009 Kia Rio speed sensor location?

Answer: The speed sensor in a 2009 Kia Rio is in the engine compartment close to the tail shaft, on the right rear point of the transmission. While the vehicle is in motion, the sensor calculates the transmission's...

How do i perform the 2009 Kia Rio tpms reset?

Answer: The purpose of the TPMS on Your 2009 Kia Rio is to warn You that one or more tires is under-inflated which could produce premature tire wear, tire failure, and unsafe driving conditions. To perform a reset of...

Does the Kia Rio 2009 have a timing belt or chain?

Answer: The Kia Rio 2009 does have a timing chain. The coolant needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles. Your air filter needs to be replaced every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. The spark plugs need to be changed every...

See all Frequently Asked Questions

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety