2003 Kia Spectra Review
Fuel Economy
24 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Though convincingly cheap in base form, decently equipped Spectras cost as much as better-performing compacts like the Elantra, Focus and Sentra. Shop carefully.
Pros
Low base price, nimble handling, available hatchback configuration, killer warranty.
Cons
Lackluster engine performance, weak brakes and tires, mediocre build and materials, poor offset crash test score.
What's New for 2003
For 2003, all Spectras will come with a CD player and body-color side moldings. Kia has attempted to make the cabin environment more hospitable via additional sound insulation in the roof and floor, an illuminated ignition and revised climate controls. Also, all hatchbacks get a standard rear wiper with an intermittent feature. Finally, note that engine specs have been revised this year -- the Spectra is now rated at 124 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque compared with 126 hp and 108 lb-ft for 2002. The four-cylinder engine itself is unchanged.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
KIA Spectra
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 2 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 1 | Interior Design: | 1 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Spectra 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This car has been a nuisance since I bought it. I liked the look of it but I wish the people who sold it to me were a bit more honest. I think it had been in an accident and they didn't tell me. It was not detailed very well. The car itself has been nothing but trouble. I have put quite a bit of money into it. I will have it paid for in Oct. However, it now needs a catalytic converter. It's time to get rid of it. I hope I can get a decent price as I do not want a car payment. Thank you
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Good and Bad
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Spectra GSX 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Car is cute, gets great gas mileage. I bought my car new. Had to change the tires by 30K Replaced brake pads and rotors twice. Replace battery. Driver side locks broken & sometimes won't unlock and I have to crawl through the passenger side. Driver side window roller broke, Alternator going out. Problem with steering system. Hatchback cover broke within a week. Rear window brake light is falling apart from sun damage (I live in Indiana & typically don't have this problem). Brake lights are a pain to change..have to remove whole back panel of car. Very lightweight car and blows around on windy day
Favorite Features
CD player, folding seats, hatchback.
Suggested Improvements
More stability, improve quality of plastic in interior, so it doesn't crack from sun. Better brakes, better tires, better locking system, stronger windshield, make it easier to change light bulbs, more leg room in back seat. More durable parts
Five years later!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Spectra 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this car new in 2003 and I still love it! One review said it doesn't have child locks, but it does! Only a couple repairs and this car has been driven to death with very little maintenance. Had to take it to the dealer early on, forget what it was for but they fixed it at no charge. At 100K mi I just replaced the belt. It's needed five or six new headlights, brake pads at 60-70K, a new battery earlier this year, and only fully replaced tires once for wear. And my sun visor is broken. The car sucks up gas with the AC on high, even on the highway. Other than that, no trouble whatsoever and I give it a dependable rating of "10"
Favorite Features
Can get well over 30 mi/gal (87 grade) all highway, city usually around 24-26, can stomp on the gas and not blow the engine, can't beat that price! 100K warranty though unnecessary, nice big windows so I can see the whole road, sits high off the ground for a little sedan, cheap to repair!
Suggested Improvements
Little higher quality on the carpet would be nice and I terribly miss keyless entry
Kia Spectra a good car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Spectra 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Having previously owned several Toyota Camrys, we were surprised to find the Kia Spectra so reliable. We never had to have it repaired - only maintenance in the 5 years we owned.
Favorite Features
Reliability
Suggested Improvements
Kia should spend a little extra on the quality of the paint - but then I understand Jaguars don't have good paint jobs either.
Cheap and reliable
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Spectra GS 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I put almost 120,000 miles on this car before I traded it in for my new car (not a Kia). The price was cheap and for the cost, the car ran pretty reliably. I never had any major repairs needed - just normal maintenance stuff like the timing belt. The brake systems needed a LOT of repairs over the years though. I had to replace rotors with every set of brakes and I had the brake calipers replaced once as well. I was told it was due to Kia's "small parts". The car was fun to drive, and I felt like I could drive rough with it when I needed to and it would hold up well. It blows around a little too much in the wind though. I did find the seats very uncomfortable, though.
Favorite Features
Car drove well and was really easy to maneuver. Hatchback style had an enormous amount of trunk space.
Suggested Improvements
More comfort on the seats. Better seals on the windows. Brake replacement is both expensive and a big hassle.
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