2005 Kia Spectra Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
After a complete and impressive overhaul of its compact Spectra sedan last year, Kia continues to upgrade its image with the addition of a...
After a complete and impressive overhaul of its compact Spectra sedan last year, Kia continues to upgrade its image with the addition of a sporty SX sedan alongside its base LX and EX models. The old hatchback is rebranded as the 2005 Spectra5 wagon and shares many performance and appearance characteristics with the SX, including a sports suspension, foglights, rear spoiler, 16-inch wheels, leather-wrapped wheel and shifter, sports cloth for the seats, side sill extensions, and metallic interior trim. Both the SX and Spectra5 come with power features and keyless entry as well, like the EX sedan. The base LX features air conditioning, intermittent wipers, a CD player, and tilt steering.
The 2005 Spectra5 gets the updated 2.0-liter, 138-hp DOHC I4 engine. A 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto tran are offered in all the Spectra models. Safety is first in the 2005 Spectra, with six standard airbags, including side curtain ones for the back row. ABS brakes are available on all but the LX sedan, and a sunroof is also optional. In the Spectra5, the cargo area is 18.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat, a good six cubic feet more than in the sedan, and the seats split-fold to offer more flexibility. Interior room in both the sedan and wagon has improved from the first generation, making the 2005 Spectra one of the leaders in its class in this area.
The new and improved 2005 Spectra gets mostly rave reviews from owners. The new engine gives a lot of kick to the lightweight car and makes it fun for city commutes. The small size is also nice for maneuvering and finding parking spaces. By far the biggest draw for budget drivers is the high fuel economy, low price tag, and Kia's 10-year powertrain warranty. That it has six airbags is also a bonus. The negative comments mentioned a clunky manual shift, the lack of standard ABS, and sluggish highway acceleration.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 2005 Kia Spectra generally appreciate its reliability, spacious interior, and good fuel economy. Many drivers find it a practical and low-maintenance option, especially for daily commuting. However, some owners express dissatisfaction with its lack of power and handling, noting it can feel sluggish and is not designed for spirited driving. While the car is well-built and performs adequately under normal conditions, a few reviewers mention issues with the brakes and highway mileage."
I love this car. It has never been anything but reliable. We have not had a problem with it at all. Everything works great.
May 20, 2008Never thought I'd own a Kia. Has been a great little car so far with amazing mileage, ok power and great build quality. Never going to be a corner carver but it handles respectably for a car in it's class. Would buy one again in a heartbeat! Maybe step up to a Magentis or something.
October 28, 2008its really good on gas and its perfect for a family good for commuting for a job and really spacey to store things in a really good investment i like how it handles in the snow i love the features it has
March 2, 2014What owners say
I love this car. It has never been anything but reliable. We have not had a problem with it at all. Everything works great.
May 20, 2008Never thought I'd own a Kia. Has been a great little car so far with amazing mileage, ok power and great build quality. Never going to be a corner carver but it handles respectably for a car in it's class. Would buy one again in a heartbeat! Maybe step up to a Magentis or something.
October 28, 2008its really good on gas and its perfect for a family good for commuting for a job and really spacey to store things in a really good investment i like how it handles in the snow i love the features it has
March 2, 2014The car's performance is not fantastic even with aftermarket intake and exhaust systems, but it does its job. It's a really solid car that has taken me all over the east coast of the US and has never complained. The main issue I've had as far as repairs is that the brakes burn up really quick and I've had the rotors go warped on me several times, but I think it's more my fault than it is the car's because I drive very aggressively. The styling of the interior and exterior are both my own, and I've come to love the way my car looks especially with the mods i've done to it. Its extremely good on gas and the parts and repairs for it have always been cheap - as long as you keep up on them (but that's with any car.) I am happy every time i have to drive somewhere and always offer to drive my friends around because the car is roomy enough and is reliable and my sound system (though thats all personal, has nothing to do with Kia) sounds great. Love the car. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a decent priced, reliable car that you can have fun with.
May 9, 2011The car is a 5 speed and is very quick. The seats are pretty comfortable, and the car handels very well.
February 4, 2008Probably has the biggest interior space in its category. The features are normal but everything works well and very functional. Safety rating is also more than decent for at its price point. Handling of the car is brilliant. This is car is a practical point to point car and makes a decent cruiser.
January 8, 2008Front wheel drive, which sucked. Braked very well. Very spacious, had a infant seat belt for car seats. It got up and went pretty good but nothing fancy. Build was ok. Cost was great for when we bought it. It was def a fun car to drive.
August 27, 2009The Kia Spectra was a ruggedly built, reliable, low maintenance car with versatile cab and truck space, a fairly quite ride, and smooth feeling transmission. Its completely lacking in horsepower and handling, but it got people from point "A" to point "B" with safe, dry, and comfortable with little fuss one its own behalf. Also, its was fairly inexpensive.
September 2, 2009body kit breaks and crumbles easily if hit (15-20 mph), very reliable otherwise. great on gas, never had transmission problems. does NOT accelerate well at all. lots of passenger space, nice clean interior look. just not the dream car look.
June 7, 2008Car runs good, handles great in the snow and ice, it is very sluggish on get up and go, the cost is way to much, and to me it's a fun car to drive, if you like Kia's get one.
December 12, 2009Trims & specs
Base MSRP $15,790 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.0L 138 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 18.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $14,640 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.0L 138 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 12.2 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $13,390 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.0L 138 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 12.2 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $15,790 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.0L 138 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 12.2 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
