Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Areaseven, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Areaseven, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
City car with a 325-litre boot and a 7-year manufacturer warranty. The documented weak point is the clutch of the 1.2 84 hp; the other faults reported are electronic (multimedia, reversing camera). On safety, Euro NCAP awarded 3 stars as standard and 5 with the optional driver assistance pack.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €8,200 – €15,000
- Monthly cost
- €368
- Euro NCAP
- 3/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.0 T-GDi 100.
1.2 84
Petrol · Manual · 84 hp · Crit'Air 1
Naturally aspirated 1.2 with 122 Nm, five-speed manual gearbox. Adequate in town only; this is the version most affected by clutch problems.
1.0 T-GDi 100
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 100 hp · 5.6 L/100 km · 128 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Turbocharged three-cylinder with 172 Nm, manual gearbox (an automatic version also exists). Judged the best compromise by Caroom.
1.0 T-GDi 120 MHEV
Hybrid · Manual · 120 hp · Crit'Air 1
Turbocharged three-cylinder with 48 V mild hybrid system (2020 facelift), six-speed iMT manual gearbox or seven-speed DCT. The most enjoyable version according to Caroom.
1.4 CRDi 90
Diesel · Manual · 90 hp · Crit'Air 2
90 hp diesel, six-speed manual gearbox, offered at the launch of the Rio IV in 2017.
Market prices
€8,200 – €15,000
Indicative range: 2017 to 2023, yearly medians of 265 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Fragile clutch (1.2 84 hp)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyOn the Rio IV, the 1.2 84 hp concentrates clutch and gear selection problems according to testimonies gathered by Fiches-auto: juddering when cold, release bearing replaced several times, uneven pedal. A Rio IV 1.2 owners' forum thread also mentions a faulty clutch. These are a small number of individual reports, not a statistic.
- Versions
- 1.2 84
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Electronic faults (multimedia, reversing camera)
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingRio IV owners report electronic faults: central screen, multimedia, and an intermittent reversing camera that shows a black screen. Fiches-auto also cites occasional lighting and wiper problems. Kia's 7-year warranty does not cover the multimedia system (Caradisiac, maxi-fiche).
- Versions
- 1.2 84, 1.0 T-GDi 100, 1.0 T-GDi 120 MHEV, 1.4 CRDi 90
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Kia Rio”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €138 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €58 |
| Maintenance | €34 |
| Depreciation | €138 |
| Total per month | €368 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€138
1.0 T-GDi 100 version: combined consumption of 5.6 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.6 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €138
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€58
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€34
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€138
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Kia Rio IV — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Clutch (especially 1.2 84 hp): on a cold start, look for juddering, uneven pedal or slipping, and ask for the repair invoices.
- Test the multimedia screen and the reversing camera (intermittent black screen reported by owners).
- Check the driver assistance pack is fitted: it is what gives the 5 Euro NCAP stars, while the standard version has only 3.
- Check the service history and the end date of the 7-year manufacturer warranty.
- Ask a Kia dealer, using the serial number, about any recalls on the car.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the clutch already been replaced or repaired? Do you have the invoice?
- Is the car fitted with the driver assistance pack (emergency braking, lane keeping)?
- Is the manufacturer warranty still valid, and has the servicing been done in the Kia network?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Renault Clio
V · since 2019
- Price
- €10,994 – €14,990
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: MoCars, CC0
Peugeot 208
II · since 2019
- Price
- €8,900 – €18,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Polo
VI · since 2017
- Price
- €10,000 – €20,300
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota Yaris
IV · since 2020
- Price
- €15,900 – €22,000
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Photo: Herranderssvensson, CC BY-SA 3.0
Ford Fiesta
VII · 2017–2023
- Price
- €8,000 – €15,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Kia Rio IV (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What Euro NCAP rating does the Kia Rio IV have?
Euro NCAP published two ratings in 2017: 3 stars for the standard version (tested as a 1.2 GLS) and 5 stars with the optional driver assistance pack.
What is the boot capacity of the Kia Rio IV?
325 litres according to Fiches-auto and Caroom.
Which engine should I choose for a used Kia Rio IV?
Caroom and Sports-cars.fr recommend the 100 hp 1.0 T-GDi as a compromise. The 84 hp 1.2 is the one concentrating the clutch problems reported by Fiches-auto.
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