- Newest year: 2001
- Gas
- Small cars
2000-2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra MPG & Fuel Cost
2 model years · 22–24 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 7 of 10 small car configurations, MY2001. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2000-2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra at a glance
The 2000-2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra covers 2 model years in the EPA database (4 configurations in all), rated 22–24 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2001, costs about $2,720 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD (24 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2001. The best combined rating in the generation, 24 MPG, was reached in 2001.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2000-2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra by model year
What the 2001 Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$227
$2,720 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.53
Per 100 miles
$18.13
Five years
$13,600
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$390less a year
Class median $3,110 a year, MY2001
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2000: The most efficient configuration moves from 23 to 24 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,840 to $2,720, $120 less.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 1.8L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 1.8L 4-cyl | FWD | 19 | 28 | 23 | $2,840 |
2000 Kia Sephia/Spectra MPG
22–23 MPG · $2,840–$2,970/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 1.8L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 1.8L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD: $3,700 in California and $2,370 in Texas, a $1,330 difference.
- California $3,700
- Washington $3,430
- New York $2,720
- Florida $2,570
- Texas $2,370
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2001 small car models.
Generations
- 2000-2001 (2nd gen)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2000-2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra get?
EPA rates the 2000-2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra at 22–24 MPG combined across 4 configurations and 2 model years. The most efficient version, the 2001 Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 24 MPG (22 city, 28 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra?
The Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 24 MPG, in 2001. The lowest top rating, 23 MPG, was in 2000.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2001.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,720 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $2,720–$2,840 a year. That is a $120 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra 100 miles?
About $18.13 per 100 miles for the Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $18.13 and $18.93 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD is rated 22 city and 28 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra compare with other small car configurations?
The Sephia/Spectra 1.8L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,720 a year to fuel, $390 less than the class median of $3,110, and less than 7 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 309 rated small car configurations for MY2001, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2001 Kia Sephia/Spectra different from the 2000 model?
The most efficient configuration moves from 23 to 24 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,840 to $2,720, $120 less. EPA lists 2 configurations for 2001 against 2 configurations for 2000. See the 2000 Kia Sephia/Spectra for that year.