Kia Spectra

Name: 2001 Kia Spectra
Brand: Kia

EPA MPG: NA

First Take

The Spectra is in essence a four-door hatchback version of the Kia Sephia sedan. As with most Korean products, you can expect a plethora of small conveniences in an inexpensive package, but nothing special that isn't standard these days on competing cars. It's hard to get excited about features like wheel covers, vanity mirrors, a folding rear seatback, and tilt steering column, for instance. If the Spectra follows in the Sephia tradition you can expect a slow, noisy, and uncomfortable little car.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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2001 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

No Data Available

Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Poor

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Poor

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

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2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

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2024

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

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Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Poor

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2001 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2001 Kia Spectra

$2,725

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser

$2,775

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Ford Focus

$2,775 - $2,850

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Honda Civic

$2,925 - $3,950

EPA MPG 34 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Hyundai Accent

$2,850

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Hyundai Elantra

$2,850 - $2,900

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Kia Rio

$2,850

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Mazda Protege

$2,850 - $3,950

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Mitsubishi Mirage

$2,850

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Nissan Sentra

$2,775 - $3,175

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Subaru Impreza

$2,900 - $2,950

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Toyota Corolla

$3,150 - $3,275

EPA MPG 33 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Toyota Prius

$3,025

EPA MPG 49 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Volkswagen Golf

$2,950 - $4,200

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2001 Volkswagen Jetta

$2,825 - $3,725

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

4-door hatchback

2 front, 3 rear

Front

1.8-liter 4 (126 hp)

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2004-

Current Generation

The redesigned 2004 Spectra offers a comfortable ride, quiet interior, and good fit and finish. The four-cylinder engine delivers lackluster acceleration with the automatic and unimpressive fuel economy. A Spectra5 hatchback was available starting in 2005. The Spectra comes with standard side- and head-protection air bags, but it still got a Poor in the IIHS side-crash test. ABS can be extremely hard to find.

2000-2003

2000 Redesign Year

The Spectra is merely a lightly restyled four-door hatchback version of the noisy, uncomfortable, and shoddily built Sephia. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine provides adequate acceleration, but the automatic transmission shifts abruptly and often. In 2002, the Sephia and Spectra names merged to just Spectra.