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2002 Kia Rio (DC)
Shown: 2002 Kia Rio (DC). Photo: Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Newest year: 2005
  • Gas
  • Small cars

2001-2005 Kia Rio MPG & Fuel Cost

5 model years · 24–26 MPG combined

25 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
City
29 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost · Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD
$2,610

15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)

Cheaper to fuel than 8 of 10 small car configurations, MY2005. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.

Next generation: 2006-2011

2001-2005 Kia Rio at a glance

The 2001-2005 Kia Rio covers 5 model years in the EPA database (12 configurations in all), rated 24–26 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2005, costs about $2,610 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD (25 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The best combined rating in the generation, 26 MPG, was reached in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

2001-2005 Kia Rio by model year

2001-2005 Kia Rio: EPA combined rating and yearly fuel cost for each model year
Model yearPowertrainsCombined$/yrEPA ratings
2005 Gas 24–25 MPG $2,610–$2,720 Ratings changed
2004 Gas 24–26 MPG $2,510–$2,720 Ratings changed
2003 Gas 25–26 MPG $2,510–$2,610 Ratings changed
2002 Gas 24–26 MPG $2,510–$2,720 Ratings changed
2001 Gas 25–26 MPG $2,510–$2,610 First year

What the 2005 Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive

Per month

$218

$2,610 a year ÷ 12

Per 25 miles

$4.35

Per 100 miles

$17.40

Five years

$13,050

5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level

vs the small car median

$1,040less a year

Class median $3,650 a year, MY2005

Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2005 Kia Rio MPG

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration moves from 26 to 25 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,510 to $2,610, $100 more.

Gas · 1.6L
Combined
24–25 MPG
Per year
$2,610–$2,720

Gas configurations (2)

2005 Kia Rio gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 1.6L 4-cyl FWD 22 29 25 $2,610
Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd 1.6L 4-cyl FWD 21 29 24 $2,720

2004 Kia Rio MPG

24–26 MPG · $2,510–$2,720/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration stays at 26 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,510.

Gas · 1.6L
Combined
24–26 MPG
Per year
$2,510–$2,720

Gas configurations (4)

2004 Kia Rio gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 1.6L 4-cyl FWD 23 30 26 $2,510
Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd 1.6L 4-cyl FWD 22 30 25 $2,610
Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd 1.6L 4-cyl FWD 22 29 25 $2,610
Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd 1.6L 4-cyl FWD 21 29 24 $2,720

2003 Kia Rio MPG

25–26 MPG · $2,510–$2,610/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration stays at 26 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,510.

Gas · 1.6L
Combined
25–26 MPG
Per year
$2,510–$2,610

Gas configurations (2)

2003 Kia Rio gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 1.6L 4-cyl FWD 23 30 26 $2,510
Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd 1.6L 4-cyl FWD 22 30 25 $2,610

2002 Kia Rio MPG

24–26 MPG · $2,510–$2,720/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2001: The most efficient configuration stays at 26 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,510.

Gas · 1.5L
Combined
24–26 MPG
Per year
$2,510–$2,720

Gas configurations (2)

2002 Kia Rio gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Rio 1.5L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 1.5L 4-cyl FWD 23 29 26 $2,510
Rio 1.5L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd 1.5L 4-cyl FWD 22 27 24 $2,720

2001 Kia Rio MPG

25–26 MPG · $2,510–$2,610/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Gas · 1.5L
Combined
25–26 MPG
Per year
$2,510–$2,610

Gas configurations (2)

2001 Kia Rio gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Rio 1.5L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 1.5L 4-cyl FWD 24 29 26 $2,510
Rio 1.5L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd 1.5L 4-cyl FWD 22 28 25 $2,610

Fuel cost by state

Yearly cost of the Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD: $3,550 in California and $2,280 in Texas, a $1,270 difference.

Gasoline prices: California: California state average; Washington: Washington state average; New York: New York state average; Florida: Florida state average; Texas: Texas state average (Sep 2026).
Fuel cost in every state

Similar cars

Closest combined MPG among MY2005 small car models.

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LT

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt

25 MPG · $2,610/yr
2004 Pontiac Grand Am GT Sedan

2005 Pontiac Grand Am

25 MPG · $2,610/yr
2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI (A4)

2005 Volkswagen Jetta

24 MPG · $2,720/yr
2003 Volkswagen Golf Match

2005 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

24 MPG · $2,720/yr
EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city / 45% highway · How we calculate

Generations

All Kia Rio years All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

What gas mileage does the 2001-2005 Kia Rio get?

EPA rates the 2001-2005 Kia Rio at 24–26 MPG combined across 12 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2004 Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 26 MPG (23 city, 30 highway).

Which years had the best MPG in the 2001-2005 Kia Rio?

The Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 26 MPG, in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. The lowest top rating, 25 MPG, was in 2005.

Did EPA ratings change during the 2001-2005 Kia Rio?

Yes. Ratings changed in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Kia Rio per year?

Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,610 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $2,610–$2,720 a year. That is a $110 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.

How much does it cost to drive a 2005 Kia Rio 100 miles?

About $17.40 per 100 miles for the Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $17.40 and $18.13 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.

Is the 2005 Kia Rio more efficient in the city or on the highway?

The Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD is rated 22 city and 29 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 7 MPG.

How does the 2005 Kia Rio compare with other small car configurations?

The Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,610 a year to fuel, $1,040 less than the class median of $3,650, and less than 8 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 370 rated small car configurations for MY2005, not weighted by sales.

Is the 2005 Kia Rio different from the 2004 model?

The most efficient configuration moves from 26 to 25 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,510 to $2,610, $100 more. EPA lists 2 configurations for 2005 against 4 configurations for 2004. See the 2004 Kia Rio for that year.