Kia Rio I Sedan (DC) 1.5i 16V (98 Hp) Automatic


Overall Rating

6.7 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 3.0 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 2.8 / 5
Comfort 3.0 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Kia Rio:

The Kia Rio is a subcompact car manufactured by Kia from 1999 to 2023. It was discontinued due to declining popularity and broader economic factors. Body styles have included a three and five-door hatchback and four-door sedan, equipped with inline-four gasoline and diesel engines, and front-wheel drive.
The Rio replaced the first generation Pride—a rebadged version of the Ford Festiva—and the Avella, a subcompact sold as a Ford in some markets. A second generation was introduced in 2005 in Europe and in 2006 in North America, sharing its platform with the Hyundai Accent, a subcompact manufactured by its sister Hyundai Motor Company in South Korea....(Read more on Wikipedia)

I Sedan (DC) Overview:

Kia Rio (I Sedan (DC)). With 138 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~9.3 l/100km). Weighing only 970 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 11.6 s). The top speed reaches 174 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

1.5i 16V (98 Hp) Automatic Verdict:

Rating 3 stars

Performance Verdict

Despite lower horsepower, the stated acceleration of 11.6 seconds is surprisingly competitive, suggesting an efficient power delivery for an automatic variant.

Fuel Economy

Fuel consumption data is unavailable, but likely similar to or slightly better than the 108 Hp automatic variant.

Best Use Case: City Driving

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Affordable purchase price
  • • Good fuel economy (1.3L manual)
  • • Practical sedan body style
  • • Simple and easy to maintain

Cons:

  • • Basic interior quality and materials
  • • Lackluster performance (especially automatic variants)
  • • Limited safety features compared to modern standards
  • • High fuel consumption on some automatic variants

Specifications:

General:
Brand:Kia
Model:Rio
Generation:I Sedan (DC)
Modification (Engine):1.5i 16V (98 Hp) Automatic
Start of production:1999
End of production:2002
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Sedan
Seats:5
Doors:4
Engine:
Power:98 Hp @ 5500 rpm.
Power per litre:65.6 Hp/l
Torque:138 Nm @ 4500 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:A5D
Engine displacement:1493
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:4
Fuel injection system:Multi-port manifold injection
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:DOHC
Engine oil capacity:3 l
Coolant:6 l
Engine layout:Front, Transverse
Cylinder Bore:75.5 mm mm
Piston Stroke:83.4 mm mm
Compression ratio:9.3:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:9.3 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:5.9 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:11.6 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:11.6 sec
Maximum speed:174 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:9.9 kg/Hp, 101 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:7 kg/Nm, 142.3 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:11 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:970
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:261 l
Fuel tank capacity:45 l
Size:
Length:4215 mm mm
Width:1675 mm mm
Height:1440 mm mm
Wheelbase:2410 mm mm
Front track:1430 mm
Rear (Back) track:1435 mm
Minimum turning circle (turning diameter):9.5 m
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelFront wheel drive
Number of gears4
Transmission typeAutomatic
Front brakesVentilated discs
Rear brakesDrum
Assisting systemsABS (Anti-lock braking system)
Steering typeSteering rack and pinion
Power steeringHydraulic Steering
Tires size175/65 R14
Wheel rims size14
Front suspensionSpring Strut
Rear suspensionCoil spring

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