Overview & Reviews

The base LX sedan has been dropped, and the EX no longer features foglamps or rear disc brakes. On the plus side, all models now come with floor mats and a cabin air filter, while the SX and Spectra5 gain standard cruise control. The optional four-speed automatic transmission has been redesigned this year for greater durability and smoothness (although models with SULEV emissions still use last year's unit).

• Low price, large backseat, comfortable ride, lots of storage and cupholders, standard side curtain airbags, excellent warranty.

• Engine is weak and buzzy at higher rpm, soft handling on EX model.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 107.00

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  Not what it is cracked up to be. - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By DH - December 3 - 12:16 pm

  The car has good gas mileage and average reliability for a car of this class. The quality is average to mid-low, except in the safety department where the car is excellent.

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  2006 Kia Spectra 4dr Sedan - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By PPower05 - November 3 - 3:43 am

  I am not very happy with this car. I only have 21,000 miles, and it has already been in the shop for faulty fuel valves and transmission problems!! Whats worse, the dealership charged me over $300 to replace the transmission fluid that KIA recommends to replace every 30,000 miles (10,000 prior to when it SHOULD have been replaced) The explanation that I was given was "Kia uses poor fluids from the factory". The 100,000 mile warranty is great, if you have another car! My first KIA (same model) broke down as my family was driving to my high school graduation. My family missed my graduation being at the KIA service center. Get something else, these are not worth your hard earned money!

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  wont get burned again - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By cobbra2000 - December 14 - 12:10 am

  I bought my spectra used with about 20,000 miles on it, so this reduced my warranty to 60,000. as soon as I hit about 70,000 it started to happen. My airbag light came on, check engine light, catalytic converter went out, and that is 800 dollars before installation, knocking on the front end, the motor has a bad knock, alternator, and a rear brake light that goes out once a week, and the cam shaft sensor, and crank sensor. This was the worst mistake of my life. First I would say do not buy a kia, and if you do, get rid of it before the warranty runs out. They sell it to you cheap and then stick it to you when it breaks down, what ever you get fixed will cost about a quarter of the car cost.

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  Kia You get what you pay for! - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Nerveragain - May 9 - 4:33 am

  We bought the car new and got the rear spoiler with it. It was easy to drive around town but a death trap on the interstate. Road noise is very loud and the motor sounds like it is going to explode at any speeds over 65 mph. We have had a poping noise coming from the front of the car and had it at the dealership several times for this issue but the prolem is still there and they have yet to fix it. If I lived in town and only drove in town this would be a good car, but on any other road where the speed limit is 45 or greater it is not worth the money. The new feeling of this car faded very fast. I should have spent the extra $2000 and bought a quality car.

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  I bought a lemon 2 - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Carhen69 - November 9 - 9:33 pm

  I bought my car in May of 2006 brand new off the lot for $17,500. After Driving the car for a couple of days I noticed a terrible vibration coming from the front of the vehicle. The steering wheel vibrated so bad that I hated driving this car. When I mentioned this problem to the dealer I was told that the engine was just to big for the car! I have had the car looked at by 2 different dealers in the last year and a 1/2 since I owned because of many issues, ranging from poor gas mileage, vibration and loss of power. My car has now been in the shop for over a week and am now being told that YES there is a problem but they simply do not know what it is. They are working to resolve....

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  HEADACHES!! - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By PPower - July 6 - 9:26 am

  I had this car approx. 2 years, and put 25,000 miles on it. The car was a replacement for the other 2006 Spectra that dropped its transmission after just 150 miles! After 10000 miles, the car died in the middle of a very busy intersection. The fuel valve gave way, and it was in the shop for a week. Kia does not provide loaner cars. After 20,000 miles, the transmission began shifting hard. I took the car in, and the service manager advised the car would need a new transmission, however the head service manager would have to review the findings. Another week, and Kia called back to say that the transmission only need a quart of fluid. From a new transmission to a quart of fluid?!? YEAH RIGHT!