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2001 Kia Spectra

2001 Kia Spectra

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$484 — $1,832 USED
3
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Sedan
5 Seats
26 MPG
(Combined)
 Key specs of the base trim
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2001 Kia Spectra Review

from the Cars.com expert editorial team

Vehicle Overview
The Spectra is a sportier hatchback version of the front-drive Sephia subcompact sedan that offers greater cargo-carrying versatility. The Spectra went on sale in the spring as a 2000 model, and then Kia added the smaller Rio sedan in the summer. A midsize sedan called Optima, a clone of the Hyundai Sonata, joined the roster late in calendar 2000.

Kia is based in South Korea and is owned by Hyundai, the country’s largest auto company. For 2001, Kia adopts the same comprehensive warranty. It covers the whole vehicle for five years/60,000 miles, major powertrain components for 10 years/100,000 miles and corrosion for five years/100,000 miles. The warranty includes free roadside assistance for the first five years.

Exterior
The Spectra has different front styling than the Sephia, and hatchback rear styling instead of a regular trunk. It rides the same 101-inch wheelbase but is 2 inches longer at 176 and slightly longer than the Ford Focus sedan.

Two versions of the Spectra are available — the GS and more expensive GSX — and the latter has alloy wheels and front and rear spoilers for a sportier look.

Interior
Like the Sephia sedan, the Spectra hatchback comes with a folding rear seat that expands cargo volume beyond the 11.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat (though Kia doesn’t say how much). The larger opening on the hatchback Spectra makes it easier to load and unload cargo.

Though there are seat belts for five occupants, the small rear seat lacks space for more tha...

Vehicle Overview
The Spectra is a sportier hatchback version of the front-drive Sephia subcompact sedan that offers greater cargo-carrying versatility. The Spectra went on sale in the spring as a 2000 model, and then Kia added the smaller Rio sedan in the summer. A midsize sedan called Optima, a clone of the Hyundai Sonata, joined the roster late in calendar 2000.

Kia is based in South Korea and is owned by Hyundai, the country’s largest auto company. For 2001, Kia adopts the same comprehensive warranty. It covers the whole vehicle for five years/60,000 miles, major powertrain components for 10 years/100,000 miles and corrosion for five years/100,000 miles. The warranty includes free roadside assistance for the first five years.

Exterior
The Spectra has different front styling than the Sephia, and hatchback rear styling instead of a regular trunk. It rides the same 101-inch wheelbase but is 2 inches longer at 176 and slightly longer than the Ford Focus sedan.

Two versions of the Spectra are available — the GS and more expensive GSX — and the latter has alloy wheels and front and rear spoilers for a sportier look.

Interior
Like the Sephia sedan, the Spectra hatchback comes with a folding rear seat that expands cargo volume beyond the 11.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat (though Kia doesn’t say how much). The larger opening on the hatchback Spectra makes it easier to load and unload cargo.

Though there are seat belts for five occupants, the small rear seat lacks space for more than two children to fit comfortably.

Under the Hood
The Spectra uses the same 125-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine as the Sephia and offers a choice of standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmissions. Antilock brakes are optional on the GSX model.

 

Reported by Rick Popely  for cars.com
From the cars.com 2001 Buying Guide

More Reviews from Our Experts

AZCentral.com's view Orlando Sentinel's view

Consumer Reviews

What drivers are saying

4.0
3 reviews — Read All reviews
Exterior Styling
(3.7)
Performance
(3.0)
Interior Design
(2.7)
Comfort
(4.0)
Reliability
(4.3)
Value For The Money
(4.3)
(5.0)

Service at dealer and things will be OK

by Campusbob from Patterson, NY on April 1, 2010

Have a GSX bought new. Put on better tires and car handles like the Lotus Suspension would hint at. Do not service other than dealer as some garages try and shortcut what shouldn't be. Three problems ... Read full review

(4.0)

Great car for your money!

by Raul on January 27, 2010

I bought this car brand new in 2001 and has been a great car for the money I payed. Of course I have taken great care of it. This is my first car and it has lasted me through high school, college, and... Read full review

Safety

Recalls and crash tests

Recalls

The 2001 Kia Spectra currently has 0 recalls

Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

The 2001 Kia Spectra has not been tested.

Latest 2001 Spectra Stories

See all 2001 Kia Spectra articles

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Spectra received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker

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