2005 Kia Spectra Review
Price Estimate: $523 - $871





+38
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Low price, spunky engine, well-finished interior, standard side-curtain airbags, excellent warranty.
Cons
- Obtrusive engine noise at high speeds, ABS not available on LX model.
What’s new
A five-door hatchback model dubbed the Spectra5 joins the lineup, along with a sporty SX sedan. Both models come with a front spoiler, black mesh grille, black headlight bezels, upgraded tires, 16-inch alloys, side sills, rear valance panel and rear spoiler. Inside, there is leather wrapping for the steering wheel and shift knob, gray sport cloth upholstery, metallic trim pieces and metal pedals. A sport-tuned suspension is also included, and models with a manual transmission get a front strut tower bar as well.
Edmunds says
With its lengthy equipment list, high-quality interior and better-than-average performance, the Spectra sedan and hatchback are an excellent low-cost alternative to a Honda Civic or Toyota Matrix.
For sale near Addison, TX
13 listings
- $3,000
- 147,932 miles
- 21 City / 31 Hwy MPG
- Hi Tech Motors (227 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
Close
Located in Tulsa, OK
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary Unavailable.
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (21 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNAFE121955166919
Stock: 166919-os
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-03-2025 - 67,589 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 21 City / 31 Hwy MPG
- McCully's Automotive (550 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
Close
Located in Benton, KY
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (21 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNAFE161755076002
Stock: 076002
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-03-2025
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Kia Spectra Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Soldier of a car.
5 out of 5 starsJsp9890, 12/20/2015
2005 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
I bought this car with no choice. Mine was stolen, left with little time I bought a 2005 Spectra EX for $3800. It had 98k miles. That was in 2011. I still own it, with 180k+ and she's magnificent. The little 2.0 has power on the highway, without having to go up high in the powerband. The tall gears in the automatic gearing kill performance, manuals are quicker by far. Mine hits 60 in 8.8 … seconds with a 4 speed auto, and shes topped out at 126mph. I guess that's about average. The stereo is surprisingly good with a 120 watt 6 speaker setup, as well as interior materials. I previously owned a Honda and Kia is quite close with their quality. I don't care what ANYONE says, Kias are damn good vehicles.
100,000 miles
4.88 out of 5 starsnot_a_yob, 06/24/2011
2005 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I've read through plenty of reviews, and the one thing I am noticing is that people are putting automatics in with the manual transmission, don't be daft please. The 2.0 DOHC 5spd standard transmission is great. I have over 100,000 miles on my car as it sits now still with the original clutch, and trust me when I say I haven't been overly kind to my car. I have beat on it, driven long … distances and over all drvien this car as if it were a rally car or enduro car, including some slight off roading and it still starts up with out arguement and gets up and goes like a propper little sprinter. I unexpectedly fell in love with the little bugger, and I expect the romance to continue on for awhile.
185,000 Miles!! ***UPDATED*** 210,000 miles!!
4 out of 5 starsChad Stevens, 03/03/2015
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I am the 2nd owner of this car. Bought it in 2013 with 160,000 miles for 3k. The car's exterior was in reasonable condition, minor wear and tears,dents and dings. Mechanically she was sound. After a few thousand miles, the radio went, Clutch went, brake caliper froze up, replaced the timing belt.
However, at 160,000 miles those items are expected to be replaced. Since then, everything … has been great, except the transmission synchronizers are starting to fail. I still use this car as my daily driver, and commute my daily 48 miles. To date i have 186,458 miles on it. Not bad for KIA. I may just buy another when this one finally decides to rest. And for sake of argument, i drive very spirited.
***Update*** Up to 210,000 miles. a small section of my exhaust rusted off, replaced it for $100. No other mechanical failures yet!!
More Pros than Cons
4.13 out of 5 starsmiandyv, 11/20/2011
2005 Kia Spectra Spectra5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
Owned for 6 years, 88,298 mls.
Purchased for $14,750. Pros: negotiated a very good deal with dealer, inexpensive maintenance, excellent in snow, excellent maneuverability on city streets and highway, spacious interior (my husband is 6 ft 5 in and my son is 6 ft 7 in) both can sit comfortably inside the car (we rode trip alot in the Kia).
Now, here are the Cons: poor quality on interior … and exterior components - paint peeling and chipping at less than 24,000 mls.
Dealership does not want to remedy the problem, glove compartment fell off it's hinges (barely ever opened), Kia logos have unexpectedly fell off, steering wheel tilt handle fell off, hoods props came apart, trunk hooks fell off
2005 Spectra Highlights
Wagon
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $15,250 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $135/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 18.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalPoor
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintAcceptable
People who viewed this also viewed
4.4 average Rating out of 27 reviews. |
Starting at $24,250 |
4.5 average Rating out of 12 reviews. |
Starting at $21,990 |
4.3 average Rating out of 15 reviews. |
Starting at $16,750 |
Related Used 2005 Kia Spectra info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Jaguar Xe 2020 Review
- Acura MDX 2020 Review
- Kia Stinger 2021 Review
- Toyota Sequoia 2020 Review
- Lexus NX 300H 2021 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Automatic Honda Fit
- BMW Electric Car I3
- Lexus NX 300H Awd
- Used Acura ILX 2017
- Used Acura ILX 2018
- Used Acura ILX 2020 For Sale
- Used Acura ILX 2023
- Used Acura Integra 2014
- Used Acura Integra 2015
- Used Acura Integra 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- New Tesla Model 3
- 2025 Ford Transit Wagon News
- 2026 Lexus GX News
- 2025 ARIYA
- 2024 RS 3
- 2025 Porsche Taycan
- 2024 Volvo V60
- 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid News
- New INFINITI QX55
- Chevrolet C/K 1500 Series 2024
Research other models of
- Kia Sportage 2025
- Kia Sedona 2024
- New Kia EV9
- 2024 Kia Seltos
- New Kia Niro EV
- 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
- New Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
- Kia K5 2024
- Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid 2024
- 2024 Kia EV6
Other models
- Used BMW 8-Series in Murphy, NC 2025
- Used Infiniti QX80 in Arlington, TX 2025
- Used GMC Canyon in Ontario, CA 2025
- Used Hyundai Tiburon in Rutland, VT 2008
- Used Mclaren Senna in Cleveland, TN 2019
- Used BMW 3-Series-Edrive in Dallas, TX 2016
- New Porsche Macan for Sale in Altadena, CA
- New Audi Q6-E-Tron for Sale in Wichita Falls, TX
- Used Audi E-Tron-Sportback in Bloomington, IL 2023
- New Mercedes-Benz Maybach-Gls for Sale in Newburgh, NY