Skip to main content

Used 2009 Kia Spectra Consumer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
36 reviews

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.

Price history graph example

Trending topics in reviews

Pros
Cons
4.13 out of 5 stars

Drastic change puts it in perspective

LakeTravis, 07/06/2009
2009 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I traded in a Suburban for a Spectra, so the shock value alone took some getting used to. Overall, this is a great little car. Mechanically engineered well, great gas mileage (I averaged 34mpg the first weekend, 300 miles of mixed use), looks pretty decent parked next to a Nissan or Toyota. The "carpet" is more like some sort of fuzzy cardboard, we'll see how the rest of the interior holds up over the next 3-4 years. Overall, for the price I don't think you can beat this car in terms of warranty, safety, features, and performance. Sticker on mine was $17,250 - drove away for $10K after trading in a 1996 Suburban with 230K miles. Yeah, I keep them for a long time!

Report Abuse

4.5 out of 5 stars

great quality and great mpg for money

glen, 07/09/2009
2009 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I was skeptical at first and concerned that i might not get 30 mpg. Have only had short time but first fill up 29.5 mpg and second fill up 32.2 mpg in mixed driving. Drives very smooth and handles well and looking forward to great mpg once it breaks in.

Report Abuse
2009 Kia Spectra for sale near you
Showing 3 of 39 listings
See all 39 listings

4.25 out of 5 stars

Great Value

Kev.NY, 07/28/2009
2009 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I purchased this vehicle this past June so wanted to give it time before passing judgement. The peace of mind of having such a great warranty is priceless, and the added value of such a good MPG vehicle (getting 29 to 34) was an important factor. The controls are in easy reach, and the vehicle drives very comfortably. The interior is spacious and overall very pleasant to drive. I purchased the gold color with black and tan interior which gives off a mature but stylish feel to the vehicle. I never thought I would say this but so far this vehicle from Kia is a pleasure to drive.

Report Abuse

4.5 out of 5 stars

Best for the money

Mister Big, 02/01/2010
2009 Kia Spectra LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I get 30 plus mpg around town, and got 37 mpg on a 1000 mile trip of hiway and city,and that's with automatic transmission. Bad stuff: Not the best paint job. Paint surface is rough down near and on the rocker panels, and the paint chips easily; ABS, floor mats are not standard. Good stuff: Peppy performance, great gas mileage; cool, intuitive dashboard controls; comfy seats (easy on my sciatica); solid warranty; roomy trunk; stylish, at least to my eyes. The Spectra is, I think, the best value out there. To get anything even slightly better, you'd have to pay lots more. I love my Spectra!

Report Abuse

2.38 out of 5 stars

Bad Spectra

kennyg, 03/26/2010
2009 Kia Spectra EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is the worst car I have ever owned. I have an intermittent (has happened about 25 times) problem when the brake pedal will go soft while braking and the car takes a greater distance to stop. The dealer cannot replicate, this time they drove car 53 miles. KIA national does nothing to help me with this problem. I have had to pay for a rental car. The car is going to hurt someone, probably me. I will never buy another KIA. You get what you pay for.

Report Abuse
4.88 out of 5 stars

First but not last Kia

NCjp, 03/15/2009
2009 Kia Spectra Spectra5 SX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful

I have waited to write this for a few months because everyone loves their new car in the first couple of weeks. Four months later still finding that I love to drive this car. The styling of the Spectra 5 sticks out from others. Very affordable to operate and the features for the money are great. Never looked at a KIA before this purchase but will look there first for the next one.

Report Abuse
Items per page:
10