2001 Kia Rio Summary & Specs Review at Automotive.com
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2001 Kia Rio Review: Summary & Specs

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2001 Kia Rio Review

The answer to an important question.

2001 Rio Review Summary & Specifications

The Kia Rio is neither sports car nor luxury ride, but then it isn't intended to be. It's supposed to be an efficient and reliable car for not a lot of money. Which brings up another issue: Kia was rated lowest of all makes in the most recent J.D. Power Initial Quality survey. That's no secret from Kia, and no less than President of Kia Motors, Soo Joong Kim, has established improved quality as Kia's number one priority. Should the worst happen, however, Kia offers free roadside service for the 3-years/36,000 miles of its bumper-to-bumper warranty. Then there's the five-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Kia also looks like it will be around for a while, having recently been bought by Hyundai.

What the Rio offers in driving, however, is a fuel-sipping set of wheels that, with its low price of entry, someone else hasn't already owned. It's a great first car, great transportation to the station and a great fuel economy car. And that, folks, is the real of it.

Review Sections
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2001 Kia Rio Specs
Vehicle CategoryCompact Cars
EditorJohn Matras
Model LineupRio ($8,595)
Engines (standard)1.5-liter dohc 16v inline-4
Transmissions (standard)5-speed manual
Engines (optional)96-hp dohc 16v 1.5-liter inline-4
Transmissions (optional)5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic
Safety Equipment (standard)front de-powered airbags
Safety Equipment (optional)
Basic Warranty3 years/36,000 miles
Assembled In
Manufacturer Phone1-800-333-4542
Manufacturer URLwww.kia.com
Base Price MSRP8595


2001 Kia Rio Specs as Tested
Model Tested MSRPRio ($8,595)
Standard Equipmenttinted glass, rear defroster, 3-speed wiper, passenger-side vanity mirror
Options as Tested (MSRP)air conditioning ($750); upgrade package ($380) includes power steering, full wheel covers, body-color side molding, tilt wheel, dual visor vanity mirrors; AM/FM/CD ($395); alloy wheels ($275)
Destination Charge450
Gas Guzzler Tax
Layoutfront-engine, front-wheel drive
Price as Tested11485
Horse Power96 @ 5800
Torque98 @ 4500
Fuel Economy27/32
Wheelbase94.9
Length/Width/Height165.9/65.9/56.7
Track Front/Rear56.4/57.1
Turning Radius30.8
Seating Capacity5
Front Head/Hip/Leg room39.4/51.6/42.8
Middle Head/Hip/Leg room
Rear Head/Hip/Leg room37.6/53.2/32.7
Trunk Volume9.2
Payload
Towing Capacity
Front SuspensionIndependent
Rear Suspensiontorsion beam axle
Ground Clearance6.0
Curb Weight2242
Stock TiresP175/65R14
Brakes Front/Reardisc/drum
Fuel Capacity11.9
2001 Kia Rio