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:

• 

  Disgusted - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Tony - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Do not believe any favorable since they must be written by all of the useless salesmen who cannot sell the Kia Brand. Tires horrible, front end struts and steering arm, water sloshing, bad paint job, rear end noise. Never again. Buying Chevrolet.

• 

  gsx - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By gsxpress - December 16 - 10:00 am

  I am extremely pleased with my KIA Spectra, The car performes well and is a nice sports car with only minor adjustments. the car has nice styling and many people do not relize it is a 4 door when they first see it. This car gives the performance of a two door with the practicality of a 4 door.

• 

  This is really a good car! - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By lv2run - December 9 - 10:00 am

  I just drove it about 600 miles. I had no aches or pains when done- a major achievement on a 9 hour drive. The 5 speed is so responsive and I had no trouble at all with hills- even gained acceleration easily when needed. This is truely a lot of car for very little money.

• 

  Great Little Car - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Nick at Night - December 8 - 5:53 pm

  After driving LHS, Accords, Regal, Impala for years, I love this high quality minimalist car. The doors clunk nicely, all needed equipment is here (pw, heated p mirrors & r. defrost, remote lock, cruise, auto) and it drives like a dream. I love taking this car out for a cruise, because of its maneuverability, agility, solid brakes, easy steering, and overall high capability. Never would have considered a KIA, except we saw an ad for $12,000 cars and paid a little more for this. New. I always buy ABS. But these 4-W-discs are well dialed in, great feel, strong. So mine is non-ABS. This car reminds me of my 91 Camry and 93 & 94 Proteges: fine-handling, very capable small car.

• 

  Awesome Car - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Paul in Hickory, NC - December 3 - 2:33 am

  I really did a lot of homework before I decided to make a purchase. I compared it to the Toyota Corolla, the Honda Civic, and the Nissan Sentra. For the money and the warranty, I could not have gotten a better car. I really enjoy driving my Spectra5, it turns a lot of heads. It is in the red color... and I will be having the windows tinted on it with vent visors. I highly suggest this car to anyone. A very fun car.

• 

  "Good enough" car - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By ftc - December 1 - 3:10 pm

  As empty-nester, great choice for down- sizing from a minivan. I was looking for either a squarish hatchback, a wagon or a car-based SUV. Fun to drive, small on the outside with very good use of interior space. Plenty of space for my bicycle inside. Driver position is better than anything else I tried (Scion xB, Honda Element, Toyota Matrix). I have 1100 miles so far, and mileage is getting better with each tank of gas. Excellent visibility and reacts predictably during quick lane changes. No surprises. Sensible packaging without the need to go to the "top" trim level in other makes to get the safety features.

• 

  Worth every penny - 2001 Kia Spectra
  By ayoder - December 1 - 7:10 am

  I bought mine new in 2001 and Ive put a little over 70,000 miles on it. Its paid off and now Im really getting my money out of it. Its still running great and drives as good as 2 other new cars Ive recently test driven. I have done all the recommended maintenance and its still running like a top. I had only minor warranty repairs done and have no complaints. Ive been looking for a used higher end KIA like the optima to purchase but I think everyone knows how great these cars are they arent trading them in so there are none available in my area. Can you say watch out Honda someones coming up quickly behind you and their price is better?

• 

  great value!!! - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By jin1028 - December 1 - 2:53 am

  I purchased spectra as commute car which I drive more then 80miles a day. It has been great! never had a problem and very affordable then any other competitor vehicles.It is not roomy or stong performance as what I expected but I cant complain about value.I have been shopping over least 5 different vehicles but Spectra had great value overall and has best warranty... It was least $4000 cheaper then honda civic or toyota corolla...I owned for almost 2 years and never had any problems and only maintenance I do just change engine oil...I have about 59000miles already and I am gonna go for least 200k miles.

• 

  Cheating on GAS Mileage - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Unhappy user - November 30 - 7:10 am

  For gas price over $2/g. Gas mileage is one of the most important factor when I buy car. Its sticker shows 25- 34 miles/gallon. But after driving 13,000 miles, I am only getting 27 miles/g_freeway. Is it only me or just like some Kia dealers say, need to break in. After 13,000 miles???

• 

  Great Value KIA - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By nolarobert - November 23 - 2:50 pm

  This is a new purchase. I was able to get the "Copperhead" color, so the car looks sharp & it has fog lights and a rear spoiler. Before you laugh at the spoiler, I was cruising the I-10 at 105 mph & this engine was up to the task. At 85 mph & below the cabin noise was minimal. I took some local back roads and the suspension was solid and the car felt glued to the road even as I took the curves at a goodly amount of speed. The brakes bring the car to a quick stop with no spongy fade. I look forward to taking my new Spectra on a long road trip to visit family in TN. The 700 mile journey will allow me to wring this car out & see if it holds up for the 11 hour drive.