2009 Kia Spectra Review: A Decent Budget Car, but the Elantra is Better

The 2009 Kia Spectra would be easier to recommend if the Hyundai Elantra didn’t offer a more powerful, sportier, longer-lasting alternative at the same price, with both typically listing in the low $5,000 range.

Is the 2009 Kia Spectra a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – A mediocre-by-design budget compact, the Spectra’s not a bad car, but it’s not all that impressive, either.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – 8/10 might seem a little high as it’s not exactly a Cadillac, but, compared to other cars in its class, this is one of the cushier budget compacts out there, so we’re grading on a curve here.
• Reliability 8/10 – The car should give you no troubles for the first 200,000 miles. From then on, its days are numbered.
• Safety 6/10 – Crash test scores are mediocre at best, and it doesn’t include anti-lock brakes as a standard feature on any trim level.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – There are cars coming out today that struggle to match the Spectra’s 24/32 miles to the gallon.
• Value 7/10 – The Spectra is worth it at the low end of the fair market range. You won’t regret the purchase at $3,500, but you might at $5,000.

What Do Critics Say About the 2009 Kia Spectra?

Consumer Reports liked the Spectra’s quiet cabin and above-average interior trim quality. They note the car is a bit clunky around tight corners, acceleration feels wimpy, and fuel economy isn’t as good as you expect for such a lightweight, low-power vehicle.

Kelley Blue Book found the 2009 Kia Spectra to be a fair compromise between a budget car and a more decked-out mid-range sedan. They note that the underpowered engine may be a major turnoff, but the handling is sound.

Edmunds had high praise for the Spectra’s low price and comforatble, well-designed interior. Road noise, mediocre safety scores, and a lack of standard anti-lock brakes earned the car some red marks.

What Common Problems Does the 2009 Kia Spectra Have?

The 2009 Kia Spectra has generated 113 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with most of these being for airbags. Drivers have reported airbags failing to deploy, as well as airbags deploying with too much force. An airbag investigation was launched in 2015 but there have been no recalls.

A handful of structure complaints see issues such as doors getting stuck shut, forcing drivers to roll their windows and pull the handle from the outside.

Electrical issues include seldom instances of ignition failure.

The 2009 Kia Spectra boasts a low number of NHTSA complaints, and zero recalls in total, making it one of the more dependable cars in its class at this price.

How Long Will the 2009 Kia Spectra Last?

Drivers typically report the 2009 Spectra lasting at least 200,000 miles before the expensive repairs start to pile up. You might be able to get a few more miles out of it with excellent care, but most drivers find it easier to just trade the car in at that point.

Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of just $407, with rack and pinion system replacements being the most expensive common fix, starting at around $848.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment tech in the 2009 Kia Spectra is really basic. You’ve got a CD player with 6 speakers. That’s it.

Safety technology in the 2009 Kia Spectra isn’t much more impressive. Anti-lock brakes don’t come standard in any trim level, so good luck finding one with ABS on the used market.

Is the 2009 Kia Spectra a Good Value?

The 2009 Kia Spectra is priced to move, but you get what you pay for. Fair market prices start as low as $3,639, with typical list prices between $5,167 for an LX to $5,773 for a high-end mdoel.

It’s a fair deal at these prices. But it’s not hard to find far better compacts for the same price. If you can get a really good deal on a 2009 Spectra with low miles, if someone is willing to hand you the keys for $3,500 and the car passes the test drive, you’ll likely be happy with the purchase. At $5,500 you might feel a twinge of buyer’s remorse.

What are the Different Models of the 2009 Kia Spectra?

The 2009 Spectra is offered in a sedan or hatchback style, in three different trim levels, from the base LX to the high-end SX.

With the entry-level LX you’re getting:

• CD player with 6 speakers
• Cloth seating
• 6-way manual adjust driver seat

The mid-range EX adds:

• Manual air conditioning
• Remote keyless entry
• Heated mirrors

In a top-of-the-line SX you’re adding:

• Fog lights
• Premium cloth seating

What Engines Come In the 2009 Kia Spectra?

• The 2009 Spectra packs a 2.0L inline-four engine delivering 138 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive, and it averages 24/32 miles to the gallon, city/highway.

What Colors Does the 2009 Kia Spectra Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2009 Kia Spectra?

The 2009 Kia Spectra is a little more comfortable than you may expect of a budget car. The interior is spacious enough at 52 inches across at the hip, the suspension rides smooth, and trim quality is decent. But, road noise can be a bit excessive at higher RPMs.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2009 Kia Spectra Have?

The Spectra packs 12 cubic feet of cargo space, which is fair for a 2009 budget compact. This will easily pack four medium suitcases or a week’s groceries, but expect to make a lot of supply stops if you’re planning a long road trip in your Kia.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2009 Kia Spectra was the final model year in the short-lived compact’s 2nd Generation run, launched in 2004.

2007: Sedans received a subtle makeover in 2007, with sleek, modernized grilles and bumpers.

2008: The LX packed a 4-speed automatic transmission for 2008.

2009: Kia added active front headrests as standard features in 2009.

2009: For the final model year, the Spectra received active front headrests and cruise control as standard features, and the EX got a new sunroof.

How Does the 2009 Kia Spectra Compare to the Competition?

Comparing the 2009 Kia Spectra to other budget compacts from 2009, the Hyundai Elantra is an easy choice. The Hyundai can last over 250,000 miles with proper maintenance, and it costs about the same as a Spectra, typically listing in the low $5,000 range.

A PT Cruiser sells for a bit less than a Spectra, typically listing in the $4,500 range, which is pretty cheap for a 2009 compact. It offers a little more horsepower than a Spectra, but it’s a little less fuel-efficient, so you’ll probably be making up that $500 you saved within a year of driving it.

The Kia Spectra is hardly a clunker. It’s a decent little budget car. But, unless you can get a really, really good deal on it, it makes no sense to buy a Spectra over an Elantra.

Do Owners Recommend the 2009 Kia Spectra?