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If Kia executives are indeed after building their cars into a solid reputation for safety and value, the Spectra may well help them to reach that goal and more besides.
The inline 2.0 liter four-banger generates 138 horsepower and 136 lb. ft of torque, more than enough for this type of car and a 14 hp improvement over the last Spectra.
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The Spectra comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission that's easy to use and not tiring in traffic situations.
What gives a car a good name is on the inside, and that is where the new Spectra makes the most significant improvements, with upgraded interior materials and added space.
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Strangely, the Spectra LX comes standard with crank windows and manual side view mirrors - a curious choice, given some of the standard features.
Space is the thing - and total interior space has increased to 97 cubic feet - which equates to best-in-class room for legs, elbows and heads. And though the trunk is also bigger, it's not quite large enough, and the opening could be larger.
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The new Kia Spectra is a very nice upgrade, one that will be complete when the Spectra5 hatchback debuts later this year.
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Compact car buyers are used to sacrificing. They often give up style. Space. Performance, and all for a decent small car at a low price. Sure, there ought to be a law -- but in the meantime, many are forced to live with crank down windows and manually-adjustable side mirrors. Amenities are scarce; even cupholders are second-rate and not too plentiful.
Yes, there are exceptions. In fact, automakers such as Honda came into popularity because they offered a well-built compact car with smart, valuable features. You may not need heated seats, but other features would be nice - as well as a car that looked decent and did not fall apart.
Now there's a new compact upstart, one that has been with us for awhile but has, by and large, failed to impress.
Maybe it's time we took another look at Kia.
Specifically, the all-new Kia Spectra, not like the old Spectra in any way but the name. Due to fuel economy regulations that only automakers and government bureaucrats can understand, Kia has two Spectras on the lot. Be sure to ask for the new one, as the old version was generally booed by automotive experts and, frankly, doesn't compare to its younger brother. Of course, if you want a really good deal, by one of the old ones. They're probably at the back of the dealer's lot, in plenty of colors. The new Spectra, on the other hand, is built to impress a fickle market, and does so in some very important areas - such as safety and interior space.
Safe at Home
Discussion about the new Spectra has to start with safety, and the fact that Kia has made side curtain air bags and four wheel disc brakes standard equipment on a $12,600 vehicle. Sure, there's more to safety than airbags, and test results haven't yet been published from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but the idea that an economy car can offer side curtain airbags and disc brakes all around as standard is an eye-popper, and automatically puts the new Spectra at the top of the short list when it comes to economy shopping. Doubt it? Consider: Kia has put two very key safety features on the kind of car that needs the most protection.
Safety features are a key ingredient of Kia's plan for success in the North American market, a key focus that resonates from CEO Peter Butterfield throughout the organization. It's not a coincidence that Butterfield's career has taken him through Volvo - he knows the value of a "safety" reputation, and that he's quite serious about building Kias', which insiders say started with the five-star ratings in both frontal and side impact crash tests for the 2003 Sedona.
How it Runs
Of course, people don't buy cars for side curtain airbags alone - they also want decent looks, dependable performance, nice road manners - all in all, something they can feel proud of when they pull up to the office. Kia, which has in the past been maligned as a cut-rate car shop, is out to change that perception, and the new Spectra represents a very solid step in that direction. If Kia executives are indeed after building their cars into a solid reputation for safety and value, the Spectra may well help them to reach that goal and more besides. On the road, it is what you'd expect - a capable driver that does not tax the driver with undo noise or poorly designed instrumentation. The inline 2.0 liter four-banger generates 138 horsepower and 136 lb. ft of torque, more than enough for this type of car and a 14 hp improvement over the last Spectra. The engine is also more fuel efficient, and pollutes less than the previous Spectra. Fuel efficiency is rated at 24 city, 34 highway, and none of that new-found efficiency compromises overall performance. Acceleration is adequate, handling smooth except for a high ride that betrays the car in tight cornering and quick-reaction moments. Even when the Spectra loses some composure on the road, it's not drastic; understeer and the like are what you should expect from a front-wheel drive car in this price range. The high ride is, perhaps, a trade-off with design and interior space; given that it's not noticeable during the routine of a daily drive makes it a fair trade off.
The Spectra comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission that's easy to use and not tiring in traffic situations. The optional four-speed automatic - which is the vehicle they'll sell most - is not quite as brisk, and has some rough patches when shifting between gears. For all that, there are few areas in which to find fault with the Spectra. The tallish ride is one, as is the sluggish acceleration when equipped with an automatic transmission. At top speeds, road and wind noise become more apparent and the engine takes on the familiar whine of a four-cylinder being pushed a tad too hard, too fast. Between 0-80, though, you can hear yourself think and hear what the passengers are saying in the back seat - a certain result of improvement to sound deadening materials, combined with the gentle purr of a better, more refined engine.
The Comfort Inside
That is, after all, what it really is all about - the back seat, the front and the spaces in between. The fact that the new Spectra handles itself on the road nicely but without superlatives is what most buyers in this market require - a vehicle with solid mechanics and a touch of sportiness. What gives a car a good name is on the inside, and that is where the new Spectra makes the most significant improvements, with upgraded interior materials and added space. Now, the seats are comfortable and made out of what seems to be quality materials. Plastics inside are durable and have a nice tactile feel, though the material on the door may eventually stain from normal elbow wear and tear. Sun visors, however, are a different material and too small to be very useful. Strangely, the Spectra LX comes standard with crank windows and manual side view mirrors - a curious choice, given some of the standard features. The center compartment between front seats is little more than an armrest - there's not much room to store things, and the installation is a little flimsy.
But space is the thing - and total interior space has increased to 97 cubic feet - which equates to best-in-class room for legs, elbows and heads. And though the trunk is also bigger, it's not quite large enough, and the opening could be larger. As it is, larger boxes and suitcases may have trouble getting through the opening.
The Look is the Thing
The trunk opening may well be the victim of the Spectra's new, more trendy and uptown design, one that is a bit hard to pin down. When it comes to the Spectra, looks are deceiving -- look once and you'll see a pretty run of the mill car. Look twice and you see some very interesting character lines that add a splash of panache to the Spectra. This is helped by a longer wheelbase and a wider stance. Kia designers took the extra space and used a light, subtle touch - the result of which is a car that does, indeed, look slightly more expensive than its economy price tag. But you really have to look at it before the stylish design elements take hold and fill your eyes. The character line runs along the top of the wheels and fades into the trunk line in the back - it gives the vehicle a unique look, but depending on the paint job the line fades and falls. The rear of the vehicle has a nice arc tail light to tail light, which serves as the top edge of the trunk. The hood and grille seem more open than the previous version, and the wider stance lends itself to a more aggressive look. There's a chrome strip at the top of the grille, which adds some flair.
As far as styling goes, put the Spectra below the Mazda3 and somewhere near the new Toyota Corolla.
Bottomline
The new Kia Spectra is a very nice upgrade, one that will be complete when the Spectra5 hatchback debuts later this year. The Spectra5 will likely come with a host of aftermarket add-ons, and with a look that is decidedly young, should do well.
It would be a disappointment if the sedan did not also do well, considering the widespread improvements made and the price range. It's a short list player based solely on side curtain airbags and all-the-way around disc brakes; add in a solid new engine with better fuel economy, a significantly upgraded interior and an interesting design, and it's easy to forget about some minor momentary lapses. Kia, for what seems to be the first time, can now go toe-to-toe with the big boys of the compact class - and win.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most notable thing about the new Kia Spectra?
The interior space, and the quiet ride. The new Spectra is roomy for a compact, and, when combined with improved interior materials, gives drivers and passengers an improved ride.
What did you like most?
The interior, followed by the engine. I found most of the interior materials to be of high quality, and the seat were comfortable. The engine is a solid 2.0 liter four-cylinder with more horsepower and improved fuel efficiency.
What did you like least?
Some of the interior elements were a little flimsy, such as the center compartment and the sun visors. The Spectra also drove a little tall, even though it is on a longer wheel base and a wider track.
What's the price range?
How does it rate on fuel efficiency? The new Kia Spectra is rated at 24 city and 34 highway, an improvement over the last model.
Writer's Notes
The new four-door Spectra is available in two trim levels: LX and EX.
Standard features include auto-off headlights, AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers and door-mounted tweeters, height adjustable steering column, tachometer, six-way adjustable driver's seat, digital clock, tinted glass, rear window defroster and dual map lights with sunglasses holder.
Options for the LX trim level include four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, air conditioning, rear spoiler and carpeted floor mats.
The Spectra EX model offers additional standard equipment, including: air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, dual body-color heated power outside mirrors and front fog lights. Optional equipment includes four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, cruise control, alloy wheels, power moonroof with tilt, rear spoiler, carpeted floor mats and a body kit that adds a front spoiler and rear valence.
All new Spectras come equipped with side curtain air bags and four-wheel disc brakes, with anti-lock brakes optional on the EX trim level. Additional safety features include: front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, 3-point seatbelts for all five seating positions, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) and child safety door latches.
---Story by Brian Chee
--Photos Courtesy of Kia Motors America
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