Overview & Reviews

People buy compact economy cars because they're affordable and fuel-efficient, but the secret to building a great econobox is to make it look, feel and drive like a more expensive car than it really is. Kia never quite managed to do that with its now-defunct Spectra, though its replacement, the Forte is considerably closer to this ideal.

The original Kia Spectra hatchback and sedan were unrefined, underpowered and cheaply constructed. They reinforced the cheap-car image Americans held at the time regarding Korean cars. But the second-generation Spectra sedan and Spectra5 four-door hatchback counterpart moved up the scale considerably in terms of style, substance and refinement. However, the Spectra was still at the bottom of the crowded economy sedan segment when it was put out to pasture after the 2009 model year. If you just need wheels on the cheap, a used Spectra could satisfy, but we'd recommend anteing up for a more sophisticated rival.

Most Recent Kia Spectra

The most recent (second-generation) Kia Spectra was sold from midway through the 2004 model year through 2009. It was a compact sedan or (as of 2005) a hatchback that could seat four comfortably and five in a pinch. Both body styles featured a 138-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provided spirited performance around town but felt a little winded during highway passing maneuvers. A standard five-speed manual transmission routed power to the front wheels, and a four-speed automatic was optional.

The sedan was offered in three trim levels -- LX, EX and SX. The Spectra5 hatchback was available in a single SX trim. The LX was bare-bones, but the EX boasted air-conditioning, a CD stereo, full power accessories and keyless entry. The SX model added upgraded interior and exterior trim, along with firmer suspension tuning and bigger wheels and tires. The Spectra's safety features included standard front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and four-wheel disc brakes. Antilock brakes were optional.

In reviews, we generally praised the Kia Spectra for its lengthy list of standard equipment, user-friendly cabin design, decent build and materials quality, smooth ride and competent handling. Criticisms included the engine's lack of pep at high speeds, disappointing real-world fuel economy, and steering that was a tad sloppy. Those looking for a used second-generation Spectra should note that resale values are quite low, so good deals will likely be easy to find.

Past Kia Spectra Models

The first-generation Kia Spectra was launched in the 2000 model year as a four-door hatchback and was offered through the 2004 model year (with the changeover to the current model happening midyear). New to Kia's lineup, the four-door Spectra hatchback served as a more youthful and practical complement to the more pedestrian Sephia sedan, with which it shared its 124-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and major mechanicals. In 2002, Kia dropped the Sephia name altogether and began calling the sedan "Spectra" as well.

The Spectra hatchback originally came in two trim levels: GS and GSX. The base GS offered the essentials, little more than a CD player and a height- and lumbar-adjustable driver seat as standard (although air-conditioning became standard in '04). The GSX added A/C, power windows and locks, a tilt steering wheel and some body modifications intended to make it look sporty, while offering ABS, cruise control and a CD changer as options.

Once launched, the Spectra sedan carried over the Sephia's base and LS trim levels, which basically mirrored the hatchback's GS and GSX trims, respectively, in terms of features, save for the GSX hatchback's body modifications.

Editors at the time appreciated the Spectra's Lotus-tuned suspension, as it delivered decent handling and a smooth, if floaty, ride. Weak links included the brakes, tires and engine. Acceleration was sluggish at highway speeds, with a raucous engine note and unimpressive fuel economy. Inside, the Kia Spectra offered decent room for passengers, but materials quality and fit and finish were well below average. Anyone shopping for a used compact sedan or hatchback is advised to look elsewhere.

User Reviews:

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  Cars!!Cars!!Everywhere, Cars!!! - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Junior - July 3 - 7:50 am

  I love my spectra. Im 61 and fit in it perfectly. My friends range from 6 to 65 and fit in the back seats perfectly. There is a little dash rattle, but my music is normally high enough to where I dont recognize it. This is one of my first cars and I love it more than all of the others.

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  Worth The Price - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By R Tronick - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new 1-1/2 years ago. 5 speed manual transmission, AC, Rear Wiper, CD Player. Ive never had any problems. I did get the letter about the cracked ORVR Valve problem, and had my deler replace it. Im getting good gas mileage (25 city/35 hwy). Tires could be better, but I really havent had much trouble driving in snow (Wisconsin) or rain. My Spectra is comfortable and fun to drive. A reliable car for the price.

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  Life Saver - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By DrAwkward - June 4 - 9:03 am

  This car saved my life, along with three passengers, when a drunk driver crossed into our lane. Its responsive handling allowed us to avoid a head-on collision, and the side-airbags minimized the seriousness of our injuries. Everyone in the accident thanked me for choosing this car after putting its safety to the test.

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  Pros and Cons - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By brookeb - June 2 - 2:55 pm

  My Kia Spectra gets 35 miles to the gallon average. Since my purchase in June 2011, I have put 11,000 miles on my car, raising its total to 141,000. I have already replaced one tire, the engine damper, a shift cellanoid, two taillights and a headlight, and am currently in the process of replacing the trans relay switch. My transmission occasionally slips, and it doesnt have a "floaty" ride like some sites claim because the shocks quickly disintegrate. Overall, I do love my Kia despite severe hail damage and some minor issues. The cost of repairs thus far has cost me around 750$, less than half of what I paid for it. However, I likely wouldnt buy a newer model Kia because of poor reviews.

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  2002 Kia Spectra - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By RIpper2131 - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Purchased in Jan 2001 solely as a commutter mobile...30000+ a year going from Baltimoire to Falls Church, VA all at 32+MPG for an automatic! Not the sportiest thing on the road but get me from point A to point B

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  Spectra review - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Tracy Lewis - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I have been extremely pleased with the KIA vehicles... I purchased a Sedona Mini Van 8 months ago and LOVE it...I appreciate alot of the standards that come with the KIA vehicles (air conditioning, CD player, etc..) I just purchased the Spectra and love it... there is plenty of interior room for myself and my son (who sits in a car seat in the back)... its a very smooth ride on the highway... and much more pick-up than i expected. There is also alot of trunk space (which is surprising b/c the vehicle looks so small from the outside...)

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  Love my KIA Spectra - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Love my spectra - May 3 - 5:36 am

  This car has been extremely reliable, the only thing it has been in the shop for is regular maintenance. The gas mileage has been phenomenal consistently near 30 mpg freeway, and mid to upper 20s in town. This is a great car I am sad to have to sell it. The one draw back on this car is that it does not work well for a growing family.

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  Very Good Experience. I really like it! - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Robert at Texas - April 27 - 4:13 am

  The driving is excellent especially considering its affordable price. It moves fast all the time, acceleration and in the highway. The CD-radio and speakers are real good. Quality interiors, soft and supportive; six cupholders and several bins to carry a lot of stuff. Good A/C. All of this makes my wife and three children ask for a ride for shoping or just fun pretty often, even though we have a van and mid-size sedan. Weve had even a long 2200 mile round trip with fun and joy! No problems after 2 years driving it.

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  My Kia - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By uptomischief - April 24 - 6:23 am

  I have had my Kia about a week. What a fun car. It has excellent pick up and you feel safe scooting out in traffic. The car is very comfortable. Easy to maneuver the seat and tilt wheel to make it comfortable. The keyless entry is great. It has a ton of trunk space. Inside is roomy enough for four people. It has a lot of extras you would not expect such as place to plug in ipod, sturdy cup holders including ones in back seat, CD player, etc. What I found amazing was that this car had all these extras but cruise control is not standard. Overall, this is a great car. It is fun and easy to drive, very economical, comfortable, reliable, safe, and less expensive than the competition

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  New blue ride - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By 004TJK - April 11 - 1:33 pm

  Trust Edmunds, I did. Good things from Kia do come in blue packages. Engine is smooth and pulls well in normal driving. Seats are very comfortable, finding a comfortable driving position was a snap. All of the controls are within easy reach and the buttons are intuitive. Handling is very good; it handles bumps and ruts in the road nicely. Its a great commuter. The radio/cd is not as bad as the reviews seem. Just dont try to thump the base too loud. Getting 30-32 mpg. Im having a blast driving the car and my sons friends think its "cool" to boot. Not bad for less than $15k!