2009 Kia Rio5 consumer reviews

I've owned this car for 11 years. It now has 135,000. The ONLY thing that ever went wrong was the ignition switch broke once and I couldn't start it. A locksmith fixed it. This car is so reliable! I change the oil every 5k miles, changed the timing belt a few times and changed the transmission fluid. Basic stuff! I don't think the front seat is that comfortable, so I use cushions with it. The paint job didn't hold up so well on the roof and the hood, but then nobody want to steal it! It doesn't have that much power to zip up the street unless you go heavy on the gas pedal (although I still consider it a zippy little car) but I get 31 MPG on average which is GREAT. Typically I can go about 311 miles per fill up, and I live in the mountains, so I couldn't be happier. It was the deciding factor when I bought it. In 2009 it was one of the highest MPG cars available on the market (aside from hybrids). When the gas light goes on, you've got about 30 miles to get some more gas. I've never run out of gas. It has power windows, a USB port which works for power and to play MP3's, and satellite radio. What more do you need?

Bought this car new. Now has 124,000 miles and have done very little in repairs. Normal wear and tear, oil changes, recommended belt changes. Ultimate reliable car. Live in the North East. I put steel rims and snow tires on it for the winter and it goes like a mini tank. This is my 2nd Kia and am looking for my 3rd to be prepared for retirement. Gas mileage 30 mpg here in the mountains.

I've owned my 2008 Rio 5 since new and have modified it extensively, coil springs, computer system, fuel system, 2.5 inch header, stainless steel exhaust system, 18" wheels, stereo system, fuel system and minor body mods for wheel fitment... Amazing car for the money!!

This model has a mechanical problem with the coils--it breaks on almost all of them. Kia has known this for years and hasn't fixed it.

The 2009 KIA Rio 5 was a very reliable car. The ride is very rough and doesn't accelerate well enough to get on expressway quickly. Good car for local driving. Not very luxurious. The older it got the more that went wrong with it. You get what you pay for. Was a very inexpensive car.

2009 Rio5 has everything I need. Good looks. Reliable. Smooth. Fun to drive. Has all the right creature comforts (power windows, locks, mirrors, Sirius radio, USB ports, nice interior) but not all the extra features I would never use.

is good in gas, not to safe car, very light car, but it has airbags in front and back seats. I does not have too much trunk space, so if you going to the airport, no too much space for luggage,at least for 1 big piece.

is good in gas, not to safe car, very light car, but it has airbags in front and back seats. I does not have too much trunk space, so if you going to the airport, no too much space for luggage,at least for 1 big piece.

I bought this Rio5 brand new in 2009. It's loaded with every option that could be in it. A 5 speed trans. It's been everywhere and reliable as can be. I added a hedder and 2.5" exhaust all the way back. It makes 130 hp at the wheels and now it does 0-60 in 6.8 seconds. I get 550 km per tank which equates to almost 40 mpg and I drive it hard. I put Wilwood brakes and Eibach springs on it as I use this car for track days as well. It's really quick and amazes everyone that this little car is a Kia. I would recommend this car for anyone looking for a fun reliable car to drive, very reliable with great gas mileage to boot! A few mods will make it super fun and not break your bank either!

I bought a silver '09 Kia Rio5 for like 8 grand about a year ago (it was all I could afford), and it has been pretty solid. Pretty decent deal before taxes. I live in the city of Buffalo, and this car gets me up and down crowded streets and in and out of tight parking spots quickly and easily. It's also incredible on gas--I average close to 280 miles out of each 10 gallon tank of gas. One time I got like 300+ miles on a single tank. It was wild. The interior is small but definitely comfortable for the driver and upfront passenger. People in the back may feel a bit cramped, though. The dash dials are so impossibly simple and I love it. I don't care for cars that have like a command center spaceship style setup with like a million buttons. I test drove a Ford Fiesta and it was painful just looking at the dash setup. The Kia Rio5 dash setup is perfect, plus it gets Sirius radio which is dope. Baba Booey! I've since had to replace spark plugs and bulbs and such, which I've considered to be standard wear and tear replacement items. For the most part, though, the car has been great--I am pretty sure the previous owner took really good care of it, and I try to do the same. One negative: sometimes the hood sticks--it won't pop--especially in cold weather. I need a second person to push down on the hood while I pull the latch so it pops. It's the only flaw as far as I can find. A mechanic fixed it one time by spraying something on the latch under the hood, but that was only a temporary fix. I'll also add that the car doesn't take potholes and what-not very well. The ride can be loud and bumpy, but heck, what can you really expect? It's not a Cadillac, you know? Nevertheless, it drives just fine. Oh, and if it snows a lot where you live (like it does in Buffalo-- a lot), this car is pretty much useless without snow tires. I suspect that people who complain about this car just got unlucky, maybe. I certainly hope I don't jinx myself by writing this favorable review. So yeah, the car works for me. I dig hatchbacks--this car's look is cool, unique, and I just like it a lot. It's the definitive urban mobile--it fits practically anywhere and is excellent on gas, as I've said. If you're looking for an inexpensive yet reliable ride, you could do much worse than the '09 Kia Rio5. Go Bills!