Kia Spectra

Name: 2004 Kia Spectra
Brand: Kia

RECALL ALERT: There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

This edition of the Kia Spectra boasted ride and interior quietness among the best in the class. We also found the fit and finish impressive, particularly when considering the car's low price. However, because of its reluctant cornering, middling acceleration and so-so fuel economy, the Spectra ranks midpack in those areas. Braking performance was not a strength either. We also found it difficult to get a vehicle with antilock brakes. And, even with standard side- and head protection airbags, the Spectra got a Poor in the IIHS side-crash test.

2004 Small cars Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Kia Spectra

vs. Similar Cars

Honda Civic

Toyota Corolla

See All Models Reliability

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

See All Ratings & Specs

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

See All Ratings & Specs

Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Owner Reports

Worse Better

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

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

See All Ratings & Specs

2004 Small sedans Ratings

2004 Kia Spectra

$2,850 - $3,025

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Chevrolet Aveo

$2,925 - $3,000

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Honda Civic

$3,225 - $5,400

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Hyundai Accent

$2,850 - $3,025

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Hyundai Elantra

$3,100 - $3,175

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Kia Rio

$2,875 - $2,925

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Mazda 3

$3,200 - $3,925

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer

$3,025 - $11,475

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Nissan Sentra

$3,075 - $4,250

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Saturn Ion

$2,800 - $3,025

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Subaru Impreza

$3,100 - $10,975

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Subaru Impreza WRX/STi

$ NA

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Suzuki Forenza

$2,800

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Toyota Corolla

$4,325 - $4,575

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Small sedans Ratings

Seating

2 front, 3 rear

Drive Wheels

Front

Warranty

Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

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

sedan

5-speed Manual
4-speed Automatic

2-liter 4 (138 hp)

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.