2001 Kia Spectra Trims and Specs

The 2001 Kia Spectra was a hatchback version of the Kia Sephia sedan, an ultra economy car for budget drivers. The Spectra hatch looked like a sedan, but offered more versatility in hauling cargo with its 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space. A 1.8-liter, 125-hp DOHC I4 engine and 5-speed manual transmission sat under the hood in the 2001 Kia Spectra GS, the base model.

The front-wheel drive hatch offered a radio and cassette player, a rear window wiper, intermittent wipers, tachometer, and center console. It sat on 14-inch wheels and came with dual front airbags. ABS brakes were not offered in place of the disc brakes. Air conditioning was only available as an option. There were few options on the 2001 Spectra GS aside from a 4-speed auto tran and a rear spoiler. Drivers say this is not a tall person's car, and the outstanding warranty tends not to cover a lot of costly repairs that occur on the 2001 Spectra. But owners like the overall price, gas mileage (24/32), smooth handling, and large trunk.

The 2001 Kia Spectra GSX is the sportier and more accessorized model of the compact hatch. Shaped like a sedan, but with a more sloping roofline, the rear seats in the 2001 Spectra GSX split-fold 60/40. Dual front airbags are standard, but ABS brakes are only offered as an option. The GSX features front and rear air dams, side extensions, a rear spoiler, 14-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped wheel, and seats covered in sports cloth, as indications of its sporty distinctions from the base GS model.

The 2001 Spectra GSX features the same 1.8-liter, 125-hp DOHC I4 engine and 5-speed manual transmission A 4-speed automatic is optional. Building on the barebones GS, the GSX offers air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, a rear window wiper, and power windows, locks, and mirrors in addition to the tachometer, center console, intermittent wipers, and cassette player. A CD changer, cruise control, and remote entry are available options. Good gas mileage, a low price tag, and good-sized trunk rank high with owners of the 2001 Spectra GSX. Slow pickup, cheap materials, and frequent repairs are low points.