What year are you looking for?
I bought my 2002 kia rio cinco(hatch) LS a year ago for 1.4million. Now i think you would be able to get one used for about 1.275. The cars registered some time back might be a bit cheaper. The sedan will be a bit cheaper probably about 1.225. Thats the LS version. The RS which is cheaper is manual, the LS most of the time auto. The 2001/2002 accents are also in the same price bracket. A 2003 rio base model can go unregistered for about 1.3. The accent again about the same price. Matrix's can go used for about 1.6million for the 1.6l, to about 1.375 for a 1.3l.
What exactly are you looking for? manual/auto? leather/cloth? 1300cc/1500cc/1600cc?
In regards of reliabilty, I still havent had any problems with the rio, and seems brilliant on the road. It's spacious and has all the necessary options. Its even quite fast, with a top speed of 186km/h, and a 0-60 acceleration of 11.2seconds. Which is not bad for a hatch of its class.
People go for korean because they have all the options of other cars in their class, and cost half as much. My dads sonata was caught in the tsunami and after recovering it a few days later, it only had a few dents after being carried of by the wave 10 km away. For a matter of fact, the insurance condemned in it, and apparently someone bought it and its still being used on the road today. Now thats strong build quality.