- 2009
2008 Kia Rio
- Used Kia Rio
Exterior - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Rio receives favorable reviews for its outward appearance. "There is nothing wimpy looking about either of the Kia Rio models," says New Car Test Drive, while Car and Driver is appreciative of the new and improved exterior introduced in Rio's 2006 redesign. Its reviewers describe the Rio as having "a more muscular and attractive exterior."
To reviewers, Kia's complete exterior redesign in 2007 unleashed a more mature look for the Rio, especially its front end. The Kansas City Star especially likes the angular fender flares, which add to a "clean and uncluttered" European style, the writer says. Car and Driver also uses the word angular, but to describe the headlights and say that the trapezoidal mesh grille in between them "looks serious."
The mass approval didn't sweep up USA Today, however. Its writer was turned off by the Rio's 14-, 15- and optional 16-inch wheels. "The sedan wore those phony alloy wheel covers, plastic hubcaps that are supposed to make cheap steel wheels look like the pricey, spoked kind made from aluminum and titanium and a little unobtanium. Tres yuck." Notably, Cars.com writes, "Kia says the only exterior change for 2008 is a redesigned wheel cover for the LX."
