Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
22 City / 30 HWY
Horsepower
124
Seats
5
Front angle view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Moshe C
Dope rims and slice of fresh chromed wheels keep it gangsta.
The Kia spectra is one of the best handling and accelerating cars on the market. It is versatile it is revolutionary and just plain awesome. Vin etching on the windows allow cheaper insurance. Great market value and great stylish films bump this car to legendary.
accountCircle Angela T
Great gas mileage, FANTASTIC breaks. And Paid off!
I love everything about my car. Great on gas. Has fantastic breaks. They do NOT jerk you forward if you have to stop suddenly. What isn't there to love?
accountCircle Jennifer S
My car gets good gas mileage and has pretty well in the time I have owned. It runs well and it should last a while longer if I take care of it. It had an alignment issue when I bought it and has not needed any major repairs until earlier this year.
It is fuel efficient and reliable. Kia is a good brand.
accountCircle Tamara B
It is a great value for your money.
I like it's low maintenance, it hardly costs me anything. I like the price it cost to purchase it. I love it's reliability.
accountCircle Roger B
Love it because it's cheap on gas. Easy to drive. It's reliable in every way.
Good gas mileage and made very well for the size of a car it is.
accountCircle Kim K
Best car for a low price that withstands teenage drivers
Excellent gas mileage. Goes well in snow. Burns out light bulbs frequently. Over 250 000 miles and still going strong
accountCircle Rachel A
Great car for beginners!!
My Kia is a perfect first car. It's easy to maintain and drives really smoothly. I love that it's spacious and easy to Park. Overall the only issues I've ever had are regular wear and tear like rotors and brakes. Oil changes are easy. The engine and transmission are also really nice and the donut tire in the trunk has saved me many times.
accountCircle colleen c
At 15 years old the air conditioning still works and there are no leaks of any kind
I bought my vehicle brand new in 2003 and still driving it today. I love my Kia it may not look the best right now but it still runs well. I have no complaints it is the best car I have ever owned.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Selene V
Economic, but problematic car.
The car is too small. The air conditioner does not work, no air to the back of car. Makes nice when you stop and the motor shakes, the mirrors from the passenger and drivers seat both fall off very easily. The air conditioner smells after a while. When it rains water goes in.
accountCircle James R
It's unreliable, and things not covered by warranty started breaking very soon after buying the car.
It started falling apart very quickly. It isn't a very reliable car. However, it has a lot more zip than you would expect and handles very well.
accountCircle daniel s
That it may be a piece of junk but I appreciate it because it gets me to where I need to go.
I like that it gets me to and from picking my son up. I hate that it's a piece of c**p.
accountCircle Miranda I
It should last over 20 years without major repairs.
I dislike that you have to have metric tools. Also changing out lights is a pain. Drives well.
accountCircle Samantha C
Decent car for how simple it is.
The car runs pretty well, it is nothing fancy. The heater/ac does not work and there is no cruise control. Other than that, I like the car. It is comfortable and reliable. The trunk is a decent size too. Sometimes it seems like I am driving a tin can though. You can feel every bump and hear everything happening outside.
accountCircle Thomas S
The car runs smooth and is very reliable.
There is nothing special about this car. It has a decent body style with a good cloth interior. The car runs smooth and does not need much maintenance. The is reliable and never really has any problems. This car will get you where you need go with no problems.
accountCircle Karen B
The safety features that come on this vehicle.
I do not like that it is a manual drive or that the clutch has given me such a hard. It keeps eating up batteries.. It rides decent, it's good on gasoline.
accountCircle Angel H
Great on gas cheap parts but not very pretty.
Great on gas mileage and replacement parts have been cheap. Reliable vehicle overall. Looks pretty basic though. The vehicle is not made to be aesthetically pleasing. It runs, it drives, it will not make you feel pretty though.

Kia Spectra Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
Base
124 HP 26-26 MPG 5 Seats
car
GS
124 HP 26-26 MPG 5 Seats
car
LS
124 HP 26-26 MPG 5 Seats
car
GSX
124 HP 26-26 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2003 Kia Spectra Owner Reviews

3.81
37 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 32%
4 stars 27%
3 stars 32%
2 stars 5%
1 star 3%
accountCircle Vincent S on March 25, 2021
Good on the highway. Blue spectra.
The only problem with my car is the brake fluid keeps leaking. Other than that it is a good car, feels good on the road. All of the internal parts and lights work as far as the heat radio and all. It only has a CD player due to the year so no Bluetooth features and no automatic starter.
accountCircle colleen c on March 25, 2021
At 15 years old the air conditioning still works and there are no leaks of any kind
I bought my vehicle brand new in 2003 and still driving it today. I love my Kia it may not look the best right now but it still runs well. I have no complaints it is the best car I have ever owned.

Ranks #17 Small Cars by Owners

The 2003 Kia Spectra has an average owner rating of 3.81 out of 5 which ranks it #17 of 21 other Small Cars.

1
car
4.5
2
car
4.35
17
Tie
car
3.81

Ranks #9 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2003 Kia Spectra has a combined MPG of 33 which ranks it #9 of 21 other Small Cars.

1
car
48 MPG
2
car
43 MPG
9
Tie
car
30 MPG

Is The 2003 Kia Spectra A Good Car?

Yes it an good vehicle runs great no problems or nothing it really think it can last forever just keep up your maintenance
Tiffany R.

How Reliable Is The 2003 Kia Spectra?

Yes it’s reliable no doesn’t have an problems runs like new anytime anywhere snow storm dessert great on gas
Carly O.

Is The 2003 Kia Spectra A Good Value?

Yes it’s reliable no doesn’t have an problems runs like new anytime anywhere snow storm dessert great on gas
Beth R.

Related Articles for 2003 Kia Spectra

From the Vehicle History blog

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2009 Kia Spectra Review: A Decent Budget Car, but the Elantra is Better
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2008 Kia Spectra Review: Unimpressive, but Adequate
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2007 Kia Spectra Review: A Mediocre-by-Design, but Adequate Budget Compact

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Not Rated

Roof Strength

Not Rated

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety