as someone in the market for a new low cost car this guy is a god send. i’ve actually found myself watching all of his videos because they’re just so damn good. and this is coming from someone who doesn’t give a crap about cars. i feel like i understand cars just a little bit more every time i watch one of his videos.
This car is for people that are smart with their money and do not want to piss away their hard earned money on a depreciating asset, but still want reliability. I do well and I refuse to pay over 25k for a new car so this is right down my alley. If 300 million people thought the same, cars would not be as expensive because there would be no market for such a thing. Be smart with your money regardless if your middle class - Bill Gates rich. You do not become wealthy pissing away money on depreciating assets. The purchase of a new car is usually a huge waste of money and driven purely on "feeling" instead of rational thought.
I mean I agree, but as a car guy there’s a joy other vehicles give that this car can’t and other cars like this can’t give. But I agree that if u can’t afford a fast/luxury car don’t waste ur money get something cheap but in the same time if u can afford it and u are into cars why not ?
Absolutely! Dropping over about 25k for a... car is just dumb, regardless of how much money you have. Modern car prices have gotten ridiculous and for daily drivers, cars like this are definitely where it's at for the sensible person.
What people don't understand is that a car like this is the perfect enthusiast car. That may sound counterintuitive, but think about it; getting groceries and commuting in that box will leave you with more money for the PoS project car in your driveway.
You can run it hard and not get tickets. Corner fast, throttle hard, maneuver quickly. In a 300+ HP car, you can WFO throttle for a couple of seconds before you're over the limit. In this, lots more. It's a sleeper.
Once again, without compromise, a fantastic quick review. A lot of people still associate Kia with cheap garbage but there's a reason I highly approve of them as a car company... they still offer no-BS, easy-to-service, relatively cheap transportation for the average joe, who doesn't have to worry about reliability issues. My first car was a 1999 Kia Sephia (could be bought new for around $10K at the time) and yes, Kia quality back then was sketchy to say the least. But looking how far they have come, along with Hyundai, gives me a lot of satisfaction about their future; to evolve this far and produce something incredible like the Stinger, while still offering a sub-$15K econo-hatch, is why I will continue to be a fan.
This car reminds me of what the civic use to be sad to see how low honda has fallen from its roots but glad to see Kia/Hyundai have not forgotten about people who just want to drive a affordable car
If marketers had courage (basically if they were marketeers), they would probably succeed with it. Because that is something that is increasingly important to people in these troubled times.
+TheStraightPipes I have a video planned where I see how many My Little Pony figurines I can fit in the back of a Hyundai Pony. Is that the type of content you're looking for?
Cool. Two of my go-to car channels discussing...various Ponys. What. the. f---?? I might have to reconsider my subscriptions...maybe my life choices in general.
+FasterThanSoup For the record, Yuri you're totally the My Little Pony dude. I'll never forget that video you did in those terrible outfit with the shorts nor will I forgive you. Scarred for life dude. For life.
+FasterThanSoup For the record, Yuri you're totally that My Little Pony dude. I'll never forget that video you did in that disturbing outfit with the shorts...nor can I forgive you for it.
3 months ago this video influenced my purchase. All I wanted was a no nonsense simple car. After 3 months your review has been spot on. I don't feel I have taken a hit on "prestige" by "downgrading" to this car. Thanks for the video!
None of the annoying sensors, a pliable automatic with a manual as an option, yeah. Not stupid expensive either. Really seems like a nice little car. Maybe if I ever have the money for a second car, I'd grab one of these and put some real work into my older car to make it a weekend car or something.
I know this is an old video, but as someone who likes sports coups and trucks with big engines the use of a small cheap car like this is immense. The comfort of knowing if it breaks its not a big issue, the fuel efficiency, and the compact size for crowded parking make compact cars one of the most usable vehicles for families of 4 or less. Really if you're an enthusiasts, or you don't care about luxary cars, things like this rio, old mazda 3s, and other cars in this class are fantastic.
Paul my exact thoughts, this is the time when making sensitive decisions really pays off. Glad to read you’re having no troubles with your Rio as well.
Thanks. I just purchased an 18 today with 4k miles. I appreciate honesty... im an older guy pushing 60 and wanted reliable no bs a to b transportation. I think with this car i get that and a little more. Cruised at 75 on the highway with no issues. Thanks again. Ohh i got the mid level s version trim for 12.5k with 4k on it. I think that was a steal.
I bought a Rio back in 2013..I got it brand new....still running great at 104.000 miles on it.....reliable and cheap to own.....could be better on gas but such a great little car.
There is beauty in simplicity and that in itself is worth something. As long as you're able to manage your expectations this car is a winner. I'm no brand snob and I'd have no problems using this car as my daily beater going to and from work and hauling my bike (with a bike rack) to the trails.
So many people think they can afford cars because they can pay the sticker price or the monthly lease. Have you ever taken one of those cars to a repair shop? And you think you’re gonna drive it down the road and nothings ever gonna happen and nobodys ever gonna hit you. Got news for you, put that money into an investment and drive one of these all day, you’ll have a big smile when your mortgage is paid off sooner.
You'd think everybody was rich judging by the cars they are driving. This car does the same thing as every other car, gets you from point A to point B.
One of my favorite reviews from you. Appreciate you not bashing the vehicle because it's a subcompact entry level car. Kia designed it for a specific buyer and you hit the nail on the head with everything you stated.
I've had a Miata and several Z cars, all of which I loved. But eventually I realized I was kidding myself thinking that their "fun factor" premium prices were justified when in fact 99% of the time behind their wheels was spent in slow traffic. Since then, I've always bought small, affordable, reliable, quality cars. I enjoyed my Kia Rio and, afterward, Mazda 2. For the past 1.5 years, I've owned a Scion iA, but I have to say I wish I had bought another Rio, instead. The seats in the iA are built for someone with the pencil-necked body of Ichabod Crane. And it's not just waist girth than will make the seats uncomfortable. If your shoulders have not been amputated, you will not enjoy the iA seats. The engine often feels as though the car is pulling itself through a tar pit. I swear Mazda/Toyota must be throttling the engine. If you step on the gas on the highway, the car actually slows down. Disabling the front collision detector is buried deep in the menu system, and it re-enables itself every time the car is turned on. I'm tempted to have a mechanic physically remove the unit to get it out of my life. Playing music from a USB stick is buggy as hell. Yeah, the car gets 37+ mpg, has not given me any mechanical problems, and it looks great as long as I don't approach it from the front. Still, I wish I had gone up to a Mazda 3 or shifted over to the Rio.
I own a 2013 Kia Rio SX Manual and I love it. I bought it brand new back in October 2012 and now it has over 130,000 miles on it and still runs great today! I agree this car did not break the bank for me when I bought it.
There's a certain charm about 'cheap and cheerful' cars...I've had expensive sports cars, and inexpensive beaters...in many ways it's the inexpensive cars that you have to flog constantly that are more fun, more of the time, at least on the road. Great vid, thx!
Not cheap. Less expensive. Just purchased this for my daughter. She lives in Brooklyn and the subway is her main transportation method so owning a car is really just more of a convenience. She loves it. She’s thirty eight and when she drives it her friends are impressed. The Apple Play is fantastic she claims. To boost her stereo or lack of she has a couple of Bluetooth speakers to balance out the speakers that it came with. I was so impressed with the car I purchased one for myself. I’m almost seventy and I travel very little these days so basic transportation is all I need. In fact I really don’t need one. I’ve had a car since the age of thirteen and I’ve grown accustomed to seeing one in the garage. Great little car.
Funny enough. I had a similar story like you. Bought my first car this past October. It was an 05 Pontiac G6. Had problems with it almost since the day i got it. After paying a grand to replace a broken shifter cable (and still having trans issues), i knew i needed another car. Just bought an 06 kia spectra a week ago, and love it. Almost no issues. Kia has become the car company of the working class!!
Of all the auto-journalists whose videos I've seen, you are the only one who makes sense to a normal guy. And you're the only one I subscribed to. I like the way (not like a 1%er) you think. I might actually buy this car. Also, I like the fact that you don't cold start the car, and instantly rev it to the redline. What idiot does that to his own car?
To answer ur question... Exactly that person does that... An idiot 🤣🤣.. BTW I hav a 2013 1.2 sedan and I'm happy with it for now. Got it this yr. It does what a car is supposed to do.
I own a 2017 sedan Kia Rio 6 speed manual base trim. I love it. It handles well, it’s fun, stops well, and good acceleration on fwy. It’s not fast off the line, but I haven’t dropped the clutch at 6,000 rpm either. Maybe 9 sec 0-60. It’s a little loud on fwy’s but not too bad. I can easily get 40 mpg doing 70 mph on fwy. Average mpg over several tanks range from 36-38 mpg 70% fwy driving. 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty is great. I paid $12,700 new. Wish list: power door locks in base model.
To put that 9 second 0-60 in perspective, that's faster than a Lotus Cortina or Mini Cooper 1275 S was back in the 60s. And I can't recall anyone complaining back then that those cars were slow and boring to drive.
*This* is the review that turned me into a savagegeese subscriber: this is like getting advice from your neighbor who knows about cars and isn't going to talk you into something you can't afford just so you can "keep up with the Joneses." The Joneses don't make my car payments, to hell with 'em.
Wow just discovered this channel. I’m blown away. The amount of content delivered and the detail of mechanical review is something I’ve craved. Let’s add how your review of low end entry car is just as detailed as your ZL1. Humor and sarcasm mixed in with philosophical ownership experience thoughts that are spot on. I have 09 Honda with manual and know exactly what you mean about simple, simple, kinda fun, cheap to own..... So impressed...well done Savagegeese!
Maybe you could review a 2020 model Kia Rio? That would be nice, it got a new drivetrain for 2020 (engine now without direct injection) but there are barely any reviews.
Your video definitely helped me to choose the Kia Rio5. Last week I got the 2021 LX Premium version. It's not the top trim but does come with a few more sensors and tech stuff than the base model trim. It's been a week and I am loving it. Simple to drive, comfortable, spacious and most important, economic.
Certainly in terms of reliability, these Kias are solid. I own a ‘13 Rio that I bought brand new. I’ve put 152.000km on the car in almost 5 years, with zero issues whatsoever. I bought it for the very same reasons you mentioned. I needed a car that would take me from point A to B, economical in maintenance and parts, compact yet good looking. My only complaints are the lack of steering feel, road noise, and fuel economy in city driving is not the best. This car hs been just great, although I think I might upgrade to something bigger like an Optima. I just need something more roomy and more comfortable.
My 07 Rio is still going strong. That car got me through the past 6 years of driving, was easy to repair, and drove me across the country. I got tired of the lack of features and the structure of the car is starting to suffer, so onto the Veloster but mad respect to Kia for making a highly reliable cheap car that a lot of people have depended on. Damn I'm feeling all emotional thinking about all the shit I've been through in this car
This is one of the best car reviews I’ve ever seen. Many car reviewers will almost immediately write off a car like the Kia Rio with no remorse, But you did this car justice and drove the point home as to why there will always be someone looking for a small, simple new car with a full factory warranty. Stand and take a bow good Sir, EXCELLENT REVIEW!!!
One added perk in Canada is that the Rio comes with STANDARD heated seats and heated steering wheel - even with the 6 speed manual transmission. The auto is okay, but the stick is fun. Actually hoping to get one this year. I had one back in 2003 ... the little bitty wagon. Loved that car. Got a bit small when a car seat was added to the mix. I do wish they'd have kept the extra length in the 5 door that it used to have. Oh well. It delivers great basic transportation without all the tech crap that will get outdated and break. I love tech ... just not in cars.
I’m currently in the market for a car. I started looking at Kia Rios for simplicity and reliability. Every other car review video on UA-cam looks somewhat down on this car, they don’t share my views. This guy gets it and seems to have the same thoughts on the various aspects of a car. (Although I’d prefer a sedan over a hatch) I’m not trying to Keep up with the Kardashians. I just want a decent simple car. Subbed on the first video I’ve seen from this channel.
I just bought a new 2020 Kia Río S and drove from PA to NV. Your review confirms my purchase! Good on gas, reliable, and low tech. Got mine for under 15k! Value, value, value!! 👍🏻👍🏻
Great review. For the money, by far the best car let alone the 10 year warranty. I wouldn't necessarily focus too much on the cons at this price point as it is irrelevant to the price. I've driven the Rio and it's definitely no beater. The car is legit and all the more power to Kia for providing something practical.
Thanks for going more regular cars, Gooseman. From watching a lot of your videos you understand how important it is to give perspectives on attainable cars. Thanks for the realist perspective of what you get vs what you pay and not bashing this vehicle.
Utility vs excess. Perspective into whats needed and whats desired to any expectation is overdone in that of the cars wildly out of the average guy trying to make a living and hopefully raising family. Thanks for not dougscoring us. Sincerely, CT Now would I like to see a throwback VS of an '11 GT stang vs a 06-09 IS300, vs a Camaro? OFC. Attainable natural vehicles you can get if you are smart. Thx Gooseman.
Another superb no-BS review... Apart from the excellent cinematography that 'comes standard' with SavageGeese, it's refreshing to see repeated, non-biased (unpaid) reviews - a very rare thing...
I can really relate to this. I bought a 2016 Scion Ia and it now has 26k on the clock and it's just a great little car. Only mod , i put on a throttle controller and it now zooms somewhat. Best purchase i ever made. Tight and not one rattle.
asif aslam the kia stinger is the best car of 2017. I have driven the GT1 3.3T and even without launch control i hit 0-60 in 4.2....im in canada so we get awd standard and its amazing in the snow. I have to say its on par with the audi S5 sportback in everyway but is faster and looks way better
The gooseman is probably at the mercy of the manufacturers and doesn't have a lot of pull. I think that is why he is so cool with promoting the non for profit business that is letting him review their auctioned autos. Cool deal. Keep it real, gooseman.
thanks for doing this car, SG. i Uber a '17 Accent with a manual full time and it's such a good car. gas expenses are so low and people don't have any issues with the car. i put a nice android headunit and a subwoofer under the seat and i couldn't be happier. i paid $15k cash for it OTD and have no regrets!
Subaru Forester: The oil filter is in the engine bay on top, next to the radiator. Twist that out and use my Japanese oil drain plug which is a finger operated valve which I never remove, just flip open and close. I can replace my oil and filter in 45 seconds flat WITHOUT tools ! A GREAT Walmart parking lot oil change for $12...
Really appreciated this video. I commented back on your wife’s Mazda video about more practical car reviews. This was exactly what I meant. I trust and appreciate what you have to say - obviously you’re a smart guy. This type of video is less about entertainment and more about practical and useful information. Forwarded this video to couple of my friends who are like me: in school and on a budget. Great moves! Keep it up. Proud of you! (Couldnt help but laugh about your Taurus mention. My Dad had SHOs my whole life)
+Maggie - Thanks Maggie, I seriously take to heart things like you mentioned. And for all of the talk about expensive cars most of us myself included are not born into money. Even as we get older blowing a ton of money on cars gets less fashionable. So when a car like this comes along its important to keep it real. I hope to get more cars like this one in 2018. Thanks for passin the videos around. Hope all is good with you.
I like cars with cheap plastic interiors, I don't have to care for it, and its easy to clean up when it does come time to sell it and you need to present the car nicely.
Recently purchased the 1.4L S 4 speed auto, i love this car, its our second car for town commuting, perfect as the wifes shopping cart, personal transporter. With the 7 year warranty and unlimited KMs and on road breakdown service, 15000km servicing rotation and its few electronic accessories, its very cheap to run.
True, but he LX+ I took out for a test yesterday had no issues stopping, even with the drums. The lack of Car Play/Android Auto can be a deciding factor for some people. Or you plug a $30 Bluetooth receiver into the AUX port and stream away. Put one in our SUV, and it works great. Not sure how an aftermarket head unit would fit in that dash design.
I like your style and the formula you have created. Very interesting and you know WTF you talkin bout. Your take on cheap simple cars as something of value even compared with luxury cars etc is cool.
It's a shame that we're now in 2024, and pretty much all car manufacturers have either gone away from affordable (sub-$20k) passenger cars, or are in the process of moving away from them. Ford doesn't even produce cars anymore, save the Mustang. Chevy has discontinued the Sonic and Spark. Honda discontinued the Fit in America and the Civic is now a mid-$20k car. Toyota discontinued the Yaris in America and the Corolla is now a mid-$20k car. Hyundai has discontinued the Accent. Kia discontinued the Rio, is discontinuing the Forte, and the K4 is looking to be above $20k. Mitsubishi is discontinuing the Mirage. Nissan is discontinuing the Versa. Between the rising costs of cars, the steadily dwindling quality of cars, and the inverse relationship between cost of living and wages, it's a terrible time to be in the car market if you're not making above the median income in America.
We bought an Optima brand new in 2015 because of the reasons you listed. Cheap, reliable, efficient and a 10 year warranty really sold us on it. We get 40 MPG on road trips, and it has great leg room in the front and back. Kia makes great cars for those "No bullshit just give me a good car" type people.
Thank you for this review, I totally agree. I have 3 cars: Shelby GT500 2012 (stock except winter tires and aluminum drive shaft), Kia Sorento SXL 2017 (for family hauling duties) and a ford fiesta ST 2014 (stock except muffler delete, Cobb engine mount and quaife LSD). When I'm going to work or for a drive I find myself taking the fiesta. It's fun, it's usable, fast enough for the public roads and gets great fuel economy. I have almost 70000 miles on it with 0 issues.
Sometimes it's just refreshing to get a car (or any other product) that's simple, economical, and that just works. Really, how much luxury do you need anyway? I just want things that work reliably, look ok, economical, and not a pain to buy and maintain. And we can all mostly agree to that, can't we? Keep life simple. A $20 Casio works just fine as a $8,500 Rolex. Not saying a Rolex doesn't have its place in life but you don't need that everyday. It's the same thing with cars. Most people get all excited with those BMWs and Porsches but those are not just expensive to buy, not just a real pain to maintain, not just a pain to take care not to get scratched, but they're also needlessly complicated. Get a car that's simple, works ok, cheap to buy, maintain and run, and just works great getting you from Point A to Point B.
I appreciate the review. Sometimes a person needs something affordable that works. My fiance and I used to have a used Nissan Altima. It costed more to keep it running than to buy a newer car, and neither of us had the time or resources to repair it. I'm glad that car manufacturers are offering affordable, reliable products for people who cant afford a $30k loan. I like how simple the car is. We can't afford luxury or constant repairs, so cars like the Rio are desirable to me. It fulfills the basic need of transportation, that's all it needs to do.
Great review, I appreciate seeing reviews of small cars that I could afford to buy or lease. It strikes me that buying one of these in full zoot would have you bumping up against an entry level class C car (ex: Kia Forte 5 LX @ $18200.00) that would be better in every way except possibly fuel economy. If Kia could keep the more desirable iteration of this car closer to the $14,200.00 base model instead of the highly inflated $19,600.00 version you reviewed, it would make more sense to shop it. Kia will need to issue some rebates and incentives to move this EX trim. You are my favorite auto journalist and the quality of your work is top notch, you kill me with your perspective and wit.
Comment Comentario conversely less durable stuff is more expensive to replace due to how frequently you may end up replacing it. Cheap tires that give up the moment they hit a pothole vs. a slightly more expensive set is a good example. A lot of cars in these categories are unfortunately built as disposable hunks and I'm noticing an unfortunate tendancy with Hyundais and Kias being besides the SUVs people don't keep them for long. Coming from the Pacific Northwest where it's fairly unsurprising to see 80s and 70s Japanese cars in good shape or otherwise still roaming the roads, I don't see a lot of Korean cars that are beyond a generation old. I see a lot more of them in Quebec admittedly but over here when you keep cars that long, it's generally not by choice unless you really like that Corolla. Then there's their habit of decontenting base cars that none of the reviewers cover, and I don't just mean electronics. I figure this still applies but you generally get worse seats on the lower tier models with Hyundai and Kia since the outgoing generation. They're bad to a point where a 40 minute ride makes them painful. If you have a loaded model though, suddenly that shit was usable. I actually liked Hyundai more when they had no clue about design because their money went into things that mattered. The moment they started dumping IRS for twist beams is pretty much where shit got wrong for all the deal seekers to me. The cars used to ride fine, and then they completely fucked things up until the last year or so. Getting rambly.
Early this year I got to spend 2 weeks with a 2017 Kia Rio was practically brand new. It had only 1,500 miles on it and I put about 1k on it during those two weeks. I thought it was a fun little car and very comfortable. I had it for a loaner while waiting two weeks for a warranty repair on my 2014 Soul. Big fan of its redesigned interior though, that I was not a fan of the previous interior.
Fully agree, great review. I’d love to see you continue to review small and cheaper cars. Come across the border and try the Nissan Micra. Consider the Chevy Spark or whatever it is. Do a comparison against the base Golf or Fit. Thanks again.
I love this car because this is a true compact car. The so called "compact cars" now a days, are too big to be called compact anymore. This reminds me of the old gti in terms of size and looks
Great review. I actually nerd out more over cheap small cars these days than fancy high end stuff. Currently shopping for new wheels and have tested a whole bunch of stuff (including this), weve decided to go with the Suzuki Swift with the one litre turbo triple. Absolutely joyful car.
12:21 "...bottom of the barrel." Vehicles are not meant to be driven reflecting on socio-demographics. I have driven cars like a roaring fiat 500 during a winter storm or a 450,000 12 year old corolla beat up that no one likes and truly love it especially when driving around luxury vehicles; even then, I love it more.
Hi Savagegeese, you talk about suspension a lot in detail. It would be great if you do a video explaining the way each work and the differences between the various types. Love your work 👍🏽
"The price of new cars has swelled so much, I don't know how people can afford this stuff" - good point, they can't. it's why they keep inventing longer and longer financing terms so people can afford these vehicles. the last new vehicle i bought was a Civic in 1998 for $12,270. everything after that has been used. a new Civic is $20K+ now. it's out of control.
My first car was a 3-door FWD Subaru Justy, so I have a soft spot for functional subcompact hatchbacks such as the new Rio. It looks more appealing than the Spark and Sonic IMO.
On the lift, the stamped steel looks like the VW GTI's underpinnings, unfortunately. Not necessarily in the market for the Rio, but I value your range of reviews, for sure. Basic automotive offerings are important, especially for younger buyers who may already be in education based debt. And thank you for bringing up the cost of tire replacements. The hidden cost of contemporary automobile ownership is in the consumables and especially with low profile tires which can total a monthly mortgage payment in some parts of the country.
What a refreshing review, nice to see someone appreciate these econo cars for what they are... No need to rip them apart because they don't have independent rear suspension and all that jazz that 90% of people won't even notice is there or not.
My mom had a late 80s early 90s Taurus, that thing was a POS that broke down a lot. Eventually replaced it with a brand new 1993 corolla, never had any major issues on it. She is not the best at staying with preventative maintenance beyond oil changes either.
Totally understand your philosophy Mr Goose, modern vehicles are so complex that they can become a headache very quickly if things start to go wrong. Sometimes, the best reliable things are the simplest :)
Greetings from New Zealand. Found your video while doing some research on a potential replacement for my eleven year old Suzuki Swift, which is becoming an expensive PiTA after two good years of ownership. Your video is a very detailed review. This afternoon, I've just test driven a 2021 pre-registered Rio LX low spec model down at my local dealership which is available off the lot for NZD21,990. A 6 speed manual is available to order for NZD1,000 more. My impressions are of a good sized car, with a nicely matched powertrain (the example I tested was a 1.4 VVT / 6 speed auto combination). On the local roads, which in my district are pretty poor in surface quality and design, the ride and handling compromise is excellent. The steering feel is great. The transmission is smooth and responsive. The car feels very solidly planted for a small car. Here in New Zealand the full complement of safety features is available as standard (driving standards here are not good, in addition to the bad local roads). I was impressed also with the simplicity of the whole car. The engine bay is a paragon of logical layout. The mechanicals are proven. Yes, there is a slight negative in that the fuel consumption is a little higher than the more high tech competitors. That is not important to me. It's no gas guzzler. Thank you for creating this video. It is very much appreciated.
Had mine for seven years, not perfect but fun and cheap to run (with manual), rust is an issue on the hatch, resale value is crap but the car is fun, solid, reliable, so there is value there, overall, if you keep it long it is a solid value and a fun car!
Great review! Basic no nonsense transportation for people who are on a budget or just don’t want to spend all their money trying to impress people they don’t even know. Keep up the great work! This is the best car review channel on UA-cam!
Its nice that it uses a torque converter and not a CVT. Honda fit went over to a CVT, though it seems like even the Fit is a few thousand more than the base Rio. This reminds me a lot of my 2005 corolla, super simple, not a lot of things that are there that could break.
Finally someone who appreciates small cars for what they are! Glad I subscribed.
indeed
Plz do more low cost cars
Hitman74 ohh like the Chevy sonic and the Honda Fit
as someone in the market for a new low cost car this guy is a god send. i’ve actually found myself watching all of his videos because they’re just so damn good. and this is coming from someone who doesn’t give a crap about cars. i feel like i understand cars just a little bit more every time i watch one of his videos.
Chevy Spark maybe? :D
Yes! More people need economical cars now on 2020 even more than before.
This car is for people that are smart with their money and do not want to piss away their hard earned money on a depreciating asset, but still want reliability. I do well and I refuse to pay over 25k for a new car so this is right down my alley. If 300 million people thought the same, cars would not be as expensive because there would be no market for such a thing. Be smart with your money regardless if your middle class - Bill Gates rich. You do not become wealthy pissing away money on depreciating assets. The purchase of a new car is usually a huge waste of money and driven purely on "feeling" instead of rational thought.
Neo Smith Amen to all of that
I mean I agree, but as a car guy there’s a joy other vehicles give that this car can’t and other cars like this can’t give. But I agree that if u can’t afford a fast/luxury car don’t waste ur money get something cheap but in the same time if u can afford it and u are into cars why not ?
Parth Taneja Exactly! I’m a car guy, I love them all but my baby is a corvette and my work car a Geo Prizm
Absolutely! Dropping over about 25k for a... car is just dumb, regardless of how much money you have. Modern car prices have gotten ridiculous and for daily drivers, cars like this are definitely where it's at for the sensible person.
What people don't understand is that a car like this is the perfect enthusiast car. That may sound counterintuitive, but think about it; getting groceries and commuting in that box will leave you with more money for the PoS project car in your driveway.
Available with a 6-speed manual that got a good review from The Straight Pipes, but with this base model no power windows are offered.
I have a neighbor who puts a ton of miles on his Kia Rio but spends the extra money on motorcycles ... Smart man if you ask me
@@mossmiller interesting... I have a base 2013 1.2 sedan and it comes with 4 electric windows... 🤔
You can run it hard and not get tickets. Corner fast, throttle hard, maneuver quickly. In a 300+ HP car, you can WFO throttle for a couple of seconds before you're over the limit. In this, lots more. It's a sleeper.
I know of a fairly rich guy. He won car shows with his 2010s Rio. Mods were relatively tame.
Once again, without compromise, a fantastic quick review. A lot of people still associate Kia with cheap garbage but there's a reason I highly approve of them as a car company... they still offer no-BS, easy-to-service, relatively cheap transportation for the average joe, who doesn't have to worry about reliability issues. My first car was a 1999 Kia Sephia (could be bought new for around $10K at the time) and yes, Kia quality back then was sketchy to say the least. But looking how far they have come, along with Hyundai, gives me a lot of satisfaction about their future; to evolve this far and produce something incredible like the Stinger, while still offering a sub-$15K econo-hatch, is why I will continue to be a fan.
Agreed. Love these kind of solid, simple cars as well as solid, simple reviews.
This car reminds me of what the civic use to be sad to see how low honda has fallen from its roots but glad to see Kia/Hyundai have not forgotten about people who just want to drive a affordable car
agreed 100%, have a very old gen civic and can say that they don't make them like they use to
Trust me when I say that when Kia and Hyundai came to our shores,you couldn’t pay me to get one. They have come up while others fall.
Honda has the Honda Fit still
@@SoulEraser000 It looks nice, but the drive quality is bad.
So true. I didn't think you could get a car like this anymore.
Nailed Kia's new slogan for the car: "The 2018 Kia Rio......It doesn't feel like your life is going down the gutter"
If marketers had courage (basically if they were marketeers), they would probably succeed with it. Because that is something that is increasingly important to people in these troubled times.
I'd buy it.
I love it lol also I just bought one lol 😆
Can you review a 1975 Hyundai Pony? Some of us aren't rich like this 2018 Rio budget
+TheStraightPipes I have a video planned where I see how many My Little Pony figurines I can fit in the back of a Hyundai Pony. Is that the type of content you're looking for?
savagegeese as soon as I read your reply I made a new account just so I could subscribe twice
Cool. Two of my go-to car channels discussing...various Ponys. What. the. f---??
I might have to reconsider my subscriptions...maybe my life choices in general.
+FasterThanSoup For the record, Yuri you're totally the My Little Pony dude. I'll never forget that video you did in those terrible outfit with the shorts nor will I forgive you. Scarred for life dude. For life.
+FasterThanSoup For the record, Yuri you're totally that My Little Pony dude. I'll never forget that video you did in that disturbing outfit with the shorts...nor can I forgive you for it.
This car was one of the finalists in Motortrend car of the year. Good car with no bullshit...
Goose reviewing a cheap car.... YES!
i was just thinking about this the other day. i have a 2017 accent which is basically this car lol. mine's manual tho
I have a slight southern accent... Not sure what year it's from. Probably a combination of a lot years.
A great cheap car.
he did review a fiat, those are cheap
I would love a whole series of Goose doing affordable/used cars
I actually think the outside styling is pretty good. Simple and clean
Bruce Chastain I agree, the EX model featured here reminds me of a Volkswagen Golf.
Yes or even the Polo since it's in the same category as the Rio. The Golf is a bit bigger.
Bruce Chastain and dated already for a redesign
Yup. The simple design should age well
aamirqz Yep, the Golf-Polo look. My thoughts exactly. A cool little car and a smart buy for urban areas.
3 months ago this video influenced my purchase. All I wanted was a no nonsense simple car.
After 3 months your review has been spot on. I don't feel I have taken a hit on "prestige" by "downgrading" to this car.
Thanks for the video!
a real car. No bullshit.
Easy with the hose slapping there, trotsky.
None of the annoying sensors, a pliable automatic with a manual as an option, yeah. Not stupid expensive either. Really seems like a nice little car. Maybe if I ever have the money for a second car, I'd grab one of these and put some real work into my older car to make it a weekend car or something.
What's not a real car?
I know this is an old video, but as someone who likes sports coups and trucks with big engines the use of a small cheap car like this is immense. The comfort of knowing if it breaks its not a big issue, the fuel efficiency, and the compact size for crowded parking make compact cars one of the most usable vehicles for families of 4 or less.
Really if you're an enthusiasts, or you don't care about luxary cars, things like this rio, old mazda 3s, and other cars in this class are fantastic.
hard to get cheap car reviews these days. I like it.
I bought a 2019 Kia Rio based on this review which was spot on! Great car for the money!
Did the same thing, so far it’s been trouble free
Fernando Mora 8500 trouble free miles so far. I’m so glad I got this inexpensive car 🚗 especially with all the shit going on now !
Paul my exact thoughts, this is the time when making sensitive decisions really pays off. Glad to read you’re having no troubles with your Rio as well.
About to do same
Thanks. I just purchased an 18 today with 4k miles. I appreciate honesty... im an older guy pushing 60 and wanted reliable no bs a to b transportation. I think with this car i get that and a little more. Cruised at 75 on the highway with no issues. Thanks again. Ohh i got the mid level s version trim for 12.5k with 4k on it. I think that was a steal.
I bought a Rio back in 2013..I got it brand new....still running great at 104.000 miles on it.....reliable and cheap to own.....could be better on gas but such a great little car.
There is beauty in simplicity and that in itself is worth something. As long as you're able to manage your expectations this car is a winner. I'm no brand snob and I'd have no problems using this car as my daily beater going to and from work and hauling my bike (with a bike rack) to the trails.
So many people think they can afford cars because they can pay the sticker price or the monthly lease. Have you ever taken one of those cars to a repair shop? And you think you’re gonna drive it down the road and nothings ever gonna happen and nobodys ever gonna hit you. Got news for you, put that money into an investment and drive one of these all day, you’ll have a big smile when your mortgage is paid off sooner.
Here, here !
You'd think everybody was rich judging by the cars they are driving. This car does the same thing as every other car, gets you from point A to point B.
I have the 2018 Kia Rio and I`m getting 40 plus MPG on the highway at 80 miles an hour. Good car all around
One of my favorite reviews from you. Appreciate you not bashing the vehicle because it's a subcompact entry level car. Kia designed it for a specific buyer and you hit the nail on the head with everything you stated.
I've had a Miata and several Z cars, all of which I loved. But eventually I realized I was kidding myself thinking that their "fun factor" premium prices were justified when in fact 99% of the time behind their wheels was spent in slow traffic. Since then, I've always bought small, affordable, reliable, quality cars. I enjoyed my Kia Rio and, afterward, Mazda 2. For the past 1.5 years, I've owned a Scion iA, but I have to say I wish I had bought another Rio, instead. The seats in the iA are built for someone with the pencil-necked body of Ichabod Crane. And it's not just waist girth than will make the seats uncomfortable. If your shoulders have not been amputated, you will not enjoy the iA seats. The engine often feels as though the car is pulling itself through a tar pit. I swear Mazda/Toyota must be throttling the engine. If you step on the gas on the highway, the car actually slows down. Disabling the front collision detector is buried deep in the menu system, and it re-enables itself every time the car is turned on. I'm tempted to have a mechanic physically remove the unit to get it out of my life. Playing music from a USB stick is buggy as hell. Yeah, the car gets 37+ mpg, has not given me any mechanical problems, and it looks great as long as I don't approach it from the front. Still, I wish I had gone up to a Mazda 3 or shifted over to the Rio.
I own a 2013 Kia Rio SX Manual and I love it. I bought it brand new back in October 2012 and now it has over 130,000 miles on it and still runs great today! I agree this car did not break the bank for me when I bought it.
There's a certain charm about 'cheap and cheerful' cars...I've had expensive sports cars, and inexpensive beaters...in many ways it's the inexpensive cars that you have to flog constantly that are more fun, more of the time, at least on the road. Great vid, thx!
Not cheap. Less expensive. Just purchased this for my daughter. She lives in Brooklyn and the subway is her main transportation method so owning a car is really just more of a convenience. She loves it. She’s thirty eight and when she drives it her friends are impressed. The Apple Play is fantastic she claims. To boost her stereo or lack of she has a couple of Bluetooth speakers to balance out the speakers that it came with. I was so impressed with the car I purchased one for myself. I’m almost seventy and I travel very little these days so basic transportation is all I need. In fact I really don’t need one. I’ve had a car since the age of thirteen and I’ve grown accustomed to seeing one in the garage. Great little car.
Funny enough. I had a similar story like you.
Bought my first car this past October. It was an 05 Pontiac G6. Had problems with it almost since the day i got it. After paying a grand to replace a broken shifter cable (and still having trans issues), i knew i needed another car. Just bought an 06 kia spectra a week ago, and love it. Almost no issues.
Kia has become the car company of the working class!!
Of all the auto-journalists whose videos I've seen, you are the only one who makes sense to a normal guy. And you're the only one I subscribed to. I like the way (not like a 1%er) you think. I might actually buy this car. Also, I like the fact that you don't cold start the car, and instantly rev it to the redline. What idiot does that to his own car?
To answer ur question... Exactly that person does that... An idiot 🤣🤣.. BTW I hav a 2013 1.2 sedan and I'm happy with it for now. Got it this yr. It does what a car is supposed to do.
I stumbled on this on my news feed. This made me an admirer of your channel.
As a broke college student, I greatly appreciate this review!!
I own a 2017 sedan Kia Rio 6 speed manual base trim. I love it. It handles well, it’s fun, stops well, and good acceleration on fwy. It’s not fast off the line, but I haven’t dropped the clutch at 6,000 rpm either. Maybe 9 sec 0-60. It’s a little loud on fwy’s but not too bad. I can easily get 40 mpg doing 70 mph on fwy. Average mpg over several tanks range from 36-38 mpg 70% fwy driving. 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty is great. I paid $12,700 new. Wish list: power door locks in base model.
To put that 9 second 0-60 in perspective, that's faster than a Lotus Cortina or Mini Cooper 1275 S was back in the 60s. And I can't recall anyone complaining back then that those cars were slow and boring to drive.
Just purchased my new 21 Rio S model today and I absolutely love it!
*This* is the review that turned me into a savagegeese subscriber: this is like getting advice from your neighbor who knows about cars and isn't going to talk you into something you can't afford just so you can "keep up with the Joneses." The Joneses don't make my car payments, to hell with 'em.
SAME
Wow just discovered this channel. I’m blown away. The amount of content delivered and the detail of mechanical review is something I’ve craved. Let’s add how your review of low end entry car is just as detailed as your ZL1. Humor and sarcasm mixed in with philosophical ownership experience thoughts that are spot on. I have 09 Honda with manual and know exactly what you mean about simple, simple, kinda fun, cheap to own..... So impressed...well done Savagegeese!
Maybe you could review a 2020 model Kia Rio? That would be nice, it got a new drivetrain for 2020 (engine now without direct injection) but there are barely any reviews.
You are king of car reviews. No one else could get me to watch your 30 minute videos. GET THIS MAN TO 1 MILLION
Your video definitely helped me to choose the Kia Rio5. Last week I got the 2021 LX Premium version. It's not the top trim but does come with a few more sensors and tech stuff than the base model trim. It's been a week and I am loving it. Simple to drive, comfortable, spacious and most important, economic.
Certainly in terms of reliability, these Kias are solid. I own a ‘13 Rio that I bought brand new. I’ve put 152.000km on the car in almost 5 years, with zero issues whatsoever.
I bought it for the very same reasons you mentioned. I needed a car that would take me from point A to B, economical in maintenance and parts, compact yet good looking.
My only complaints are the lack of steering feel, road noise, and fuel economy in city driving is not the best.
This car hs been just great, although I think I might upgrade to something bigger like an Optima. I just need something more roomy and more comfortable.
My 07 Rio is still going strong. That car got me through the past 6 years of driving, was easy to repair, and drove me across the country. I got tired of the lack of features and the structure of the car is starting to suffer, so onto the Veloster but mad respect to Kia for making a highly reliable cheap car that a lot of people have depended on. Damn I'm feeling all emotional thinking about all the shit I've been through in this car
This review is so much better than the previous one of the Hemi-powered prostate tickler.
to be honest ,youtube is floated with expensive , sports car reviews, but these econobox almost being overlooked for any decent review, nice work!
Glad to see cheap car reviews. Hope you could review the Honda Fit. Keep it up!
Word, the Fit is another car in the mold of the Rio :)
Yeah, I'd also like to see Mr. Geese's thoughts on the Fit.
This is one of the best car reviews I’ve ever seen. Many car reviewers will almost immediately write off a car like the Kia Rio with no remorse, But you did this car justice and drove the point home as to why there will always be someone looking for a small, simple new car with a full factory warranty. Stand and take a bow good Sir, EXCELLENT REVIEW!!!
My parents are buying me a newer car for college, since I’ll be driving a lot to work and stuff, and the Kia Rio is my first choice
One added perk in Canada is that the Rio comes with STANDARD heated seats and heated steering wheel - even with the 6 speed manual transmission. The auto is okay, but the stick is fun. Actually hoping to get one this year. I had one back in 2003 ... the little bitty wagon. Loved that car. Got a bit small when a car seat was added to the mix. I do wish they'd have kept the extra length in the 5 door that it used to have. Oh well. It delivers great basic transportation without all the tech crap that will get outdated and break. I love tech ... just not in cars.
I’m currently in the market for a car. I started looking at Kia Rios for simplicity and reliability. Every other car review video on UA-cam looks somewhat down on this car, they don’t share my views. This guy gets it and seems to have the same thoughts on the various aspects of a car. (Although I’d prefer a sedan over a hatch) I’m not trying to Keep up with the Kardashians. I just want a decent simple car. Subbed on the first video I’ve seen from this channel.
One of the most honest review I saw. Very well done!
I just bought a new 2020 Kia Río S and drove from PA to NV. Your review confirms my purchase! Good on gas, reliable, and low tech. Got mine for under 15k! Value, value, value!! 👍🏻👍🏻
Great review. For the money, by far the best car let alone the 10 year warranty. I wouldn't necessarily focus too much on the cons at this price point as it is irrelevant to the price. I've driven the Rio and it's definitely no beater. The car is legit and all the more power to Kia for providing something practical.
For some reason your reviews of economy cars & compact cars are the most satisfying to watch. Great work SG!
Thanks for going more regular cars, Gooseman. From watching a lot of your videos you understand how important it is to give perspectives on attainable cars.
Thanks for the realist perspective of what you get vs what you pay and not bashing this vehicle.
+C T people get obessed with expensive cars. I am not one of those people. I was happy to do a video on this car glad you liked it.
Utility vs excess. Perspective into whats needed and whats desired to any expectation is overdone in that of the cars wildly out of the average guy trying to make a living and hopefully raising family.
Thanks for not dougscoring us.
Sincerely,
CT
Now would I like to see a throwback VS of an '11 GT stang vs a 06-09 IS300, vs a Camaro? OFC. Attainable natural vehicles you can get if you are smart. Thx Gooseman.
I own this exact model - nice to see a practical review about reliabilty, performance and economy. I like simple cheap and reliable.
Another superb no-BS review...
Apart from the excellent cinematography that 'comes standard' with SavageGeese, it's refreshing to see repeated, non-biased (unpaid) reviews - a very rare thing...
I can really relate to this. I bought a 2016 Scion Ia and it now has 26k on the clock and it's just a great little car. Only mod , i put on a throttle controller and it now zooms somewhat. Best purchase i ever made. Tight and not one rattle.
Idc what anyone says, I feel like a King when I drive my 2018 Kia Rio 💙
How do you feel now?
Hopefully the stinger is in your pipeline for reviews!
gladdy02 omg bro you just read my mind. With all the crap Cars he reviews Kia excluded all American Cars included he should do the Kia review already.
asif aslam the kia stinger is the best car of 2017. I have driven the GT1 3.3T and even without launch control i hit 0-60 in 4.2....im in canada so we get awd standard and its amazing in the snow. I have to say its on par with the audi S5 sportback in everyway but is faster and looks way better
The gooseman is probably at the mercy of the manufacturers and doesn't have a lot of pull. I think that is why he is so cool with promoting the non for profit business that is letting him review their auctioned autos. Cool deal.
Keep it real, gooseman.
If I remember correctly he mentioned in another video that he will in fact be reviewing the Stinger in the near future. I'm also excited for that!
I think the Stinger is the most anticipated review we're waiting to see from the Goose man. Can't wait...
Coffee & Savageness.... Now that's how you start your day right
Taffy
Cheers!
This and a Hyundai Accent hatch I think are very good value 👍
i have the accent in manual, such a fun little car. makes me a lot of money with Uber and keeps expensives super low
I’ve been looking at one of these for a while now, will be my first car in after not having one for 4 years. Big upgrade over the bus lol
thanks for doing this car, SG. i Uber a '17 Accent with a manual full time and it's such a good car. gas expenses are so low and people don't have any issues with the car. i put a nice android headunit and a subwoofer under the seat and i couldn't be happier. i paid $15k cash for it OTD and have no regrets!
whats the mpg on ur accent bro
Israel Santos sorry for late reply but the way I drive I'm still seeing like 32 to 34 combined
Subaru Forester: The oil filter is in the engine bay on top, next to the radiator. Twist that out and use my Japanese oil drain plug which is a finger operated valve which I never remove, just flip open and close. I can replace my oil and filter in 45 seconds flat WITHOUT tools ! A GREAT Walmart parking lot oil change for $12...
Really appreciated this video. I commented back on your wife’s Mazda video about more practical car reviews. This was exactly what I meant. I trust and appreciate what you have to say - obviously you’re a smart guy. This type of video is less about entertainment and more about practical and useful information. Forwarded this video to couple of my friends who are like me: in school and on a budget. Great moves! Keep it up. Proud of you!
(Couldnt help but laugh about your Taurus mention. My Dad had SHOs my whole life)
+Maggie - Thanks Maggie, I seriously take to heart things like you mentioned. And for all of the talk about expensive cars most of us myself included are not born into money. Even as we get older blowing a ton of money on cars gets less fashionable. So when a car like this comes along its important to keep it real. I hope to get more cars like this one in 2018. Thanks for passin the videos around. Hope all is good with you.
I like cars with cheap plastic interiors, I don't have to care for it, and its easy to clean up when it does come time to sell it and you need to present the car nicely.
Recently purchased the 1.4L S 4 speed auto, i love this car, its our second car for town commuting, perfect as the wifes shopping cart, personal transporter. With the 7 year warranty and unlimited KMs and on road breakdown service, 15000km servicing rotation and its few electronic accessories, its very cheap to run.
Great review! Totally agree with everything you said. I'd like to add that the manual (in the base model) increases the fun of driving this by 685%
+Yuri Tereshyn Thank you Yuri, great to hear from you, please like me on social media or I will cut myself.
savagegeese 🔪🔪🔪
i agree but base lx has the ancient drums in the rear and no carplay or android auto.
Until you have some injury.
True, but he LX+ I took out for a test yesterday had no issues stopping, even with the drums. The lack of Car Play/Android Auto can be a deciding factor for some people. Or you plug a $30 Bluetooth receiver into the AUX port and stream away. Put one in our SUV, and it works great. Not sure how an aftermarket head unit would fit in that dash design.
I like your style and the formula you have created. Very interesting and you know WTF you talkin bout. Your take on cheap simple cars as something of value even compared with luxury cars etc is cool.
It's a shame that we're now in 2024, and pretty much all car manufacturers have either gone away from affordable (sub-$20k) passenger cars, or are in the process of moving away from them.
Ford doesn't even produce cars anymore, save the Mustang.
Chevy has discontinued the Sonic and Spark.
Honda discontinued the Fit in America and the Civic is now a mid-$20k car.
Toyota discontinued the Yaris in America and the Corolla is now a mid-$20k car.
Hyundai has discontinued the Accent.
Kia discontinued the Rio, is discontinuing the Forte, and the K4 is looking to be above $20k.
Mitsubishi is discontinuing the Mirage.
Nissan is discontinuing the Versa.
Between the rising costs of cars, the steadily dwindling quality of cars, and the inverse relationship between cost of living and wages, it's a terrible time to be in the car market if you're not making above the median income in America.
We bought an Optima brand new in 2015 because of the reasons you listed. Cheap, reliable, efficient and a 10 year warranty really sold us on it. We get 40 MPG on road trips, and it has great leg room in the front and back. Kia makes great cars for those "No bullshit just give me a good car" type people.
I bought this car base model new. 80k miles now. Only have just done brakes, easy to get 40mpg
So, this new Kia Rio is basically the modern equivalent to an old Beetle. I will definitely put this one on my interest list.
Just bought one for my wife after selling our 2016 Mazda CX-5 that we loved but this is cheaper and not bad at all
This car is a beast
4:41 the way you open the doors and swing open the hatch like "ahhh, that's the way a hatch is supposed to open!"
thanks you’re one of the reviewer who use the base model in a good way you connect to most of the viewer
I like the down-to-earth-no-nonsense and honest review of the car.
Thank you for this review, I totally agree. I have 3 cars: Shelby GT500 2012 (stock except winter tires and aluminum drive shaft), Kia Sorento SXL 2017 (for family hauling duties) and a ford fiesta ST 2014 (stock except muffler delete, Cobb engine mount and quaife LSD). When I'm going to work or for a drive I find myself taking the fiesta. It's fun, it's usable, fast enough for the public roads and gets great fuel economy. I have almost 70000 miles on it with 0 issues.
I like the simplicity of this car. This car would work good for a daily driver/work car/winter car.
Sometimes it's just refreshing to get a car (or any other product) that's simple, economical, and that just works. Really, how much luxury do you need anyway? I just want things that work reliably, look ok, economical, and not a pain to buy and maintain. And we can all mostly agree to that, can't we? Keep life simple. A $20 Casio works just fine as a $8,500 Rolex. Not saying a Rolex doesn't have its place in life but you don't need that everyday. It's the same thing with cars. Most people get all excited with those BMWs and Porsches but those are not just expensive to buy, not just a real pain to maintain, not just a pain to take care not to get scratched, but they're also needlessly complicated. Get a car that's simple, works ok, cheap to buy, maintain and run, and just works great getting you from Point A to Point B.
I don't get why people hate it. We have one and its an incredible cheap family car!
I appreciate the review. Sometimes a person needs something affordable that works. My fiance and I used to have a used Nissan Altima. It costed more to keep it running than to buy a newer car, and neither of us had the time or resources to repair it.
I'm glad that car manufacturers are offering affordable, reliable products for people who cant afford a $30k loan. I like how simple the car is. We can't afford luxury or constant repairs, so cars like the Rio are desirable to me. It fulfills the basic need of transportation, that's all it needs to do.
oh wow....a regular car review on this channel.
Cars1999 A nice move by savage goose. He does one on the Hyundai Elantra and a Lancer as well.
Great review, I appreciate seeing reviews of small cars that I could afford to buy or lease. It strikes me that buying one of these in full zoot would have you bumping up against an entry level class C car (ex: Kia Forte 5 LX @ $18200.00) that would be better in every way except possibly fuel economy. If Kia could keep the more desirable iteration of this car closer to the $14,200.00 base model instead of the highly inflated $19,600.00 version you reviewed, it would make more sense to shop it. Kia will need to issue some rebates and incentives to move this EX trim. You are my favorite auto journalist and the quality of your work is top notch, you kill me with your perspective and wit.
Comment Comentario conversely less durable stuff is more expensive to replace due to how frequently you may end up replacing it. Cheap tires that give up the moment they hit a pothole vs. a slightly more expensive set is a good example.
A lot of cars in these categories are unfortunately built as disposable hunks and I'm noticing an unfortunate tendancy with Hyundais and Kias being besides the SUVs people don't keep them for long.
Coming from the Pacific Northwest where it's fairly unsurprising to see 80s and 70s Japanese cars in good shape or otherwise still roaming the roads, I don't see a lot of Korean cars that are beyond a generation old. I see a lot more of them in Quebec admittedly but over here when you keep cars that long, it's generally not by choice unless you really like that Corolla.
Then there's their habit of decontenting base cars that none of the reviewers cover, and I don't just mean electronics. I figure this still applies but you generally get worse seats on the lower tier models with Hyundai and Kia since the outgoing generation. They're bad to a point where a 40 minute ride makes them painful. If you have a loaded model though, suddenly that shit was usable.
I actually liked Hyundai more when they had no clue about design because their money went into things that mattered. The moment they started dumping IRS for twist beams is pretty much where shit got wrong for all the deal seekers to me. The cars used to ride fine, and then they completely fucked things up until the last year or so.
Getting rambly.
I almost enjoy the regular car reviews more than the crazy rare super expensive ones ill never even be able to test drive, let alone afford.
Early this year I got to spend 2 weeks with a 2017 Kia Rio was practically brand new. It had only 1,500 miles on it and I put about 1k on it during those two weeks. I thought it was a fun little car and very comfortable. I had it for a loaner while waiting two weeks for a warranty repair on my 2014 Soul. Big fan of its redesigned interior though, that I was not a fan of the previous interior.
The sign of a true auto enthusiast is someone that can appreciate an inexpensive car that delivers value.
Fully agree, great review. I’d love to see you continue to review small and cheaper cars. Come across the border and try the Nissan Micra. Consider the Chevy Spark or whatever it is. Do a comparison against the base Golf or Fit. Thanks again.
I love this car because this is a true compact car. The so called "compact cars" now a days, are too big to be called compact anymore. This reminds me of the old gti in terms of size and looks
Great review. I actually nerd out more over cheap small cars these days than fancy high end stuff. Currently shopping for new wheels and have tested a whole bunch of stuff (including this), weve decided to go with the Suzuki Swift with the one litre turbo triple. Absolutely joyful car.
12:21 "...bottom of the barrel." Vehicles are not meant to be driven reflecting on socio-demographics. I have driven cars like a roaring fiat 500 during a winter storm or a 450,000 12 year old corolla beat up that no one likes and truly love it especially when driving around luxury vehicles; even then, I love it more.
Hi Savagegeese, you talk about suspension a lot in detail. It would be great if you do a video explaining the way each work and the differences between the various types. Love your work 👍🏽
I follow this channel for lots of reasons, but a big one is the "up on the rack" discussions, which gives us a clearer picture of the vehicles.
"The price of new cars has swelled so much, I don't know how people can afford this stuff" - good point, they can't. it's why they keep inventing longer and longer financing terms so people can afford these vehicles. the last new vehicle i bought was a Civic in 1998 for $12,270. everything after that has been used. a new Civic is $20K+ now. it's out of control.
Medic311 I know it’s late but 12270 is over 19000$ in 2018 dollars. Just saying inflation is a thing. Minimum wage has also increased by over 50%
My first car was a 3-door FWD Subaru Justy, so I have a soft spot for functional subcompact hatchbacks such as the new Rio. It looks more appealing than the Spark and Sonic IMO.
On the lift, the stamped steel looks like the VW GTI's underpinnings, unfortunately. Not necessarily in the market for the Rio, but I value your range of reviews, for sure. Basic automotive offerings are important, especially for younger buyers who may already be in education based debt. And thank you for bringing up the cost of tire replacements. The hidden cost of contemporary automobile ownership is in the consumables and especially with low profile tires which can total a monthly mortgage payment in some parts of the country.
Precisely. My old car had 17 inch tires and it was hard to find
One of the best car review i've ever see
What a refreshing review, nice to see someone appreciate these econo cars for what they are... No need to rip them apart because they don't have independent rear suspension and all that jazz that 90% of people won't even notice is there or not.
My mom had a late 80s early 90s Taurus, that thing was a POS that broke down a lot. Eventually replaced it with a brand new 1993 corolla, never had any major issues on it. She is not the best at staying with preventative maintenance beyond oil changes either.
Totally understand your philosophy Mr Goose, modern vehicles are so complex that they can become a headache very quickly if things start to go wrong. Sometimes, the best reliable things are the simplest :)
Greetings from New Zealand. Found your video while doing some research on a potential replacement for my eleven year old Suzuki Swift, which is becoming an expensive PiTA after two good years of ownership. Your video is a very detailed review.
This afternoon, I've just test driven a 2021 pre-registered Rio LX low spec model down at my local dealership which is available off the lot for NZD21,990. A 6 speed manual is available to order for NZD1,000 more.
My impressions are of a good sized car, with a nicely matched powertrain (the example I tested was a 1.4 VVT / 6 speed auto combination). On the local roads, which in my district are pretty poor in surface quality and design, the ride and handling compromise is excellent. The steering feel is great. The transmission is smooth and responsive. The car feels very solidly planted for a small car.
Here in New Zealand the full complement of safety features is available as standard (driving standards here are not good, in addition to the bad local roads).
I was impressed also with the simplicity of the whole car. The engine bay is a paragon of logical layout. The mechanicals are proven. Yes, there is a slight negative in that the fuel consumption is a little higher than the more high tech competitors. That is not important to me. It's no gas guzzler.
Thank you for creating this video. It is very much appreciated.
Had mine for seven years, not perfect but fun and cheap to run (with manual), rust is an issue on the hatch, resale value is crap but the car is fun, solid, reliable, so there is value there, overall, if you keep it long it is a solid value and a fun car!
Great review! Basic no nonsense transportation for people who are on a budget or just don’t want to spend all their money trying to impress people they don’t even know. Keep up the great work! This is the best car review channel on UA-cam!
Its nice that it uses a torque converter and not a CVT. Honda fit went over to a CVT, though it seems like even the Fit is a few thousand more than the base Rio. This reminds me a lot of my 2005 corolla, super simple, not a lot of things that are there that could break.