2004 Kia Spectra Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
22 - 25 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(102 Total Reviews)
Overall pleased.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this car when I was driving a predominantly city commute, and the gas mileage was rather disappointing (no higher than 29, mostly 25-27). However, I've moved, and I have a more rural cruising commute, and gas mileage has gone up to 30-32. Nice comfort, interior and storage space for a small car, and reliability has been excellent. I get in, and it starts up the first time every time. A little too much lean in the corners with any semblance of speed, but a comfy ride. A great commuter car, and the safety features are a class above the price class. Kia is worth checking out, and it seems the word is getting out about that.
Favorite Features
Reliability, efficient space, comfy for a small car, decent highway gas mileage
Suggested Improvements
No ABS on my car (option), not really noticeable, I do miss cruise control.
Good value
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Spectra GSX 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought my gsx used and I have had no problems at all with anything. Now has over 90,000 miles and still runs great. The performance is a little slow, but I have been adding some parts to it and they are making a big difference. I would highly recommend this car as a commuter or for performance car that you do not see very often although the part are only available from a few places.
Favorite Features
Nice exterior and gas mileage
Suggested Improvements
More factory performance
How can we all have the same problem?
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 2 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Reading the reviews I couldn't even laugh. I have replaced the dash (odometer problem - forgot about that until I read another review). C02 censor is being replaced (again 3x); car shakes (BADLY) at 70mph. Taking it in (AGAIN) so I can pass emissions test. I did not buy the extended warranty so I am out over $2K (YIKES). If I could have afforded $2K in repairs I would have stayed with Honda and put more money in the INITIAL investment. Looks like it is time to trade out before the transmission goes out. {sigh}
Favorite Features
Moonroof, LOTS of room for a small car (good head room), big trunk, electric everything, cruise control on those long drives; fun to drive when the engine light is not on. Comfortably seats 4 large adults and can even squeeze in a skinny person for a 5th!
Suggested Improvements
Ummmm... See review. Looks like I am not the only one that has had the same problems. If you have to wait until you can afford a little more, do it. The stress of the orange engine light is not worth the perks (and there are a lot for the price)
2004 Kia Spectra
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Spectra LS 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this Kia used 8 months ago and I LOVE this car! It has smooth manual shift, feels sporty, great on the mileage and very fun to drive! No complaints. None!
Favorite Features
Oddly, my favorite feature is the cute little sunglass holder above the review mirror.
Suggested Improvements
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Cannot Align?
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Spectra LS 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
When I got the car it needed an alignment, should have made them fix it then. We loved the car. We paid cash for it. Well.........I took it to get new tires and an alignment in Oct. of '07 and the alignment tech told there is no camber adjustment on the KIA so he could not align the car. WHAT? He then proceeded to tell me I had to buy an aftermarket kit and it would cost $200 to install so my car could be aligned. I thought they were just fishing for money. So I called the dealer and sure enough I had to buy an aftermarket kit. WHAT?I bought a car you can't get aligned! KIA said it adjusts, the dealer and the tech says no. Now I am stuck with a car I can never get aligned. Never buy another!
Favorite Features
Interior/Exterior design. I love they way the car looks. But not worth the money if you can't align it. Don't buy one.
Suggested Improvements
A car that can be aligned. I am so disappointed KIA does not want to fix this. They have lost a customer.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Great so far
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this car used to replace my 12 year old Altima. It's much smaller outside, but just as comfy and more rear seat legroom (I'm 5'11"). Feels solid, peppy on take off, VERY respectable trunk size for its class, and cheap to buy. Gas mileage started out low (25.5 in mixed driving), but has steadily improved with warmer weather (31.6 in mixed driving). Not up to par with the Corolla for gas mileage, but rivals it everywhere else. Very happy with my purchase. Safety features were a sell along with price. Also, the outside styling is very nice.
Favorite Features
Outside styling, interior comfort, trunk space, gas mileage.
Suggested Improvements
None!
8 out 8 people found this review helpful
2004 Kia Spectra
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 1 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This is my second new car. I bought it for the warranty. And now I regret it. The gas mileage is horrible. I'm lucky to get 25 mpg. I had a Saturn and was getting 31 mpg. The trans kicks when accelerating, it makes funny noises on and off.
Favorite Features
The seat lifts up. I'm only 5'2" with a small torso.
Suggested Improvements
Pretty much everything.
0 out 1 people found this review helpful
No Brainer
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
We bought this car with a considerable rebate, and to date it is an excellent value. Outside of a couple of minor trim issues on the inside, and malfunctioning of an interior warning light which were promptly fixed, the car has been no problem whatsoever. The car looks nice, is comfortable, and does what it is supposed to do. With the warranty, it is a no brainer.
Favorite Features
The outside has a nice design, and the car is comfortable and roomy for its class.
Suggested Improvements
Slightly more power would be nice, but that is not an everyday problem.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
horrible service/vehicle
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 1 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 1 | Interior Design: | 1 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Spectra GSX 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Not only have we had to fork out over $1000 on repairs but Kia finally decided to put a new transmission in at only 58K, but that took 25 payments for them to do that. There is NO power to the vehicle. The seats are uncomfortable and if I didn't drive 50 miles each way to work and needed something to use as a "throw away vehicle" I would never have bought this piece of JUNK. I will not even give it to my 16 year old son to drive.
Favorite Features
None.
Suggested Improvements
Better customer service and provide a more reliable product for consumers.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Don't trust their warranty
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Spectra GS 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
They have two maintenance schedules. No one tells you that you are under the severe schedule until you need the warranty. Transmission failed at 38K. Kia won't cover because we didn't have the transmission fluid changed at 30K per the severe schedule. Normal schedule says look at fluid and replace if needed all the way to 105K. No customer support! No dealership support! A private transmission repair shop states that the fluid is fine & that the failure is due to part failure. Kia doesn't rebuild transmissions, they replace the whole thing and keep many in stock just for this reason. I think Kia is trying to avoid a recall. Wish superman would come to our rescue.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Good customer service means repeat customers....Kia, the Power to Disappoint.
3 out 4 people found this review helpful
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