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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  Its a college student car but not!!! - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Monica - March 2 - 5:26 pm

  The only great thing about this car is that it only cost $26 to fill her up. My AC stop working at a certain point now my heater stop working and also my trunk is leaking water which is causing my car to smell like mildew and also my dashborad is rising!!!

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  KIA SPECTRA5 FIRST 700Mi - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By SPECTRA5 - February 28 - 9:06 pm

  I have a new Spectra5 2005 and I have had so many problems with this car. My first visit to the mechanic was for vibration/shaking in the steering wheel and vibration throughout the vehicle and a blown speaker. Second visit to the shop consisted of the front ground effects falling off due to faulty install and I still have not resolved the bad vibration in the vehicle. My third visit was a result of the vehicles rear ground effects falling off, and another blown speaker and the bad vibration still not resolved; mechanics have no idea. Well I have not been back for the 4th time because now I am going into arbitration with this vehicle due to the rear ground effects falling off again.

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  What a fun surprise! - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Kia Mia - February 28 - 12:03 am

  I wasnt looking for a Kia when I went to this dealership. A salesman talked me into test driving a Spectra 5. I was totally surprised at how quiet and smooth this vehicle was. Road noise was absolutely minimal! The great looking interior is very comfortable. All instruments and accessories are easy to use while driving. I drove this car cross country twice and it was very comfortable the whole way. The car is very stylish. Ive had numerous people inquiring about it with great interest. My wife liked the car so much that I gave it to her and bought another one, identical to it! The one thing I would change would be to have head rests that pivot from front to back. What a treat!

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  Corolla VS. Spectra--2 months later - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By vallet1 - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Ok, I have to admit--I was wrong. I have had nothing but problems with this car. It has been in the shop 3 times (the closest dealer is 60 miles away). Luckily it has all been covered under the warranty. But, it is a hassel to be without a car and to beg for rides to pick-up the car from friends. I think that I can claim this car as a lemon soon.

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  Shes snarky, but a good friend. - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Aenari - February 4 - 8:36 am

  It was my first car, and I was pleased. It worked, and the warranty is phenomenal. My power window motors were constantly iffy, but thats small potatoes - it drove, and drove consistently. The dash and what have you are fairly boring. The CD player developed an interesting quirk where it sucks the cd back in when you eject it before you can grab it. That was fun. But it was a dang good value with cruise control to boot. Keep up on the maintenance and shell behave. She is snarky; it never let me get too attached emotionally. But it was there for me.

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  Dont But a Kia - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By karen dowds - February 3 - 4:06 pm

  Experienced what felt like a transmission slipping problem before warranty was up - dealer test drove car with me and felt problem but wouldnt svc it without check engine light being on. Light came on finally and fun began. Murray, dealer, monkeyed with car 6 times and light kept coming back on - problem grew worse till car would stop. Had to go to Eastern Regional Office to open a case. After 6 more trips to dealer and a special kia tech having to come out to look at car (tech had to come out for other cars that Murray couldnt fix too) and replacement of wire harness ($900 part which did not correct problem), another tech FINALLY found o2 sensor problem, light off for 5 days.

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  Big Suprise - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By PT - January 25 - 6:53 am

  We walked away with this bargain for under 12k. This has been completely reliable and fun to drive for us. Very spacious interior and you feel completely secure wrapped in airbags, this is honestly the only car I have ever really enjoyed owning. Highly recommended by his owner.

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  Careful: The Bear Wants Christmas Money! - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Jake - January 16 - 6:03 pm

  The compact hatchback is styled "right". The day I purchased my Spectra I had the check engine light reset. It has been back to the dealership two other times for the same thing, but I have been out in less than an hour each time. As a former line mechanic, I have reset the computer twice myself: once at high altitude above Sante Fe and the other on a foggy morning. It has a dash rattle which I may not get fixed unless it gets louder. I change my own oil and keep all receipts, but I really dont expect problems with the warranty. It is a great second generation vehicle which I rate behind a Corolla or Civic, but I paid an exceptional price-$3600 below MSRP-they met my earned interest rate!

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  I have owned two - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Graham Johnson - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I have owned Two, a 2001 as a lease and never had a minutes problems. Idecided at 98,000 kilometers, that a lease was not for me, so I bought a new spectra in August 2003 I love my car, I bought a Dodge Minivan new fully loaded and it fell apart as I drove it and so I decided to go to a foreign car I had good things about Kia and I have not had a complaint. These cars are terribly under rated!I have enjoyed my two, and I live in the country in southern Alberta, adn30miles to work and it is extremely good on winter roads

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  Surprisingly good car - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Phil - January 13 - 1:20 am

  After hearing about safety issues with older Kias (side impact problems), I was a little wary of getting into one, but that has apparently been resolved with the new models. I have had my 07 for almost 2 years now, and it is one of the best, most dependable vehicles that I have ever driven. Smooth driver, but you have to watch your speed (my gf hit 93 MPH without realizing the first time she was on the HWay), Ive personally gotten it up to 112 without struggling (I know, bad!). Fantastic fuel economy, good factory sound system with AUX input, intuitive cruse control paddle shifter, GREAT pickup and 0-60 acceleration. Solid feel to doors/trunk/hood.