Kia's Compact Entry Offers Class-Leading Safety, Spaciousness and a Host of Standard Features
IRVINE, Calif. -- In an ever-growing and increasingly competitive segment, the Kia Spectra and Spectra5 continue to prove their mettle and gain ground on long-standing class leaders such as the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. Style, substance and class-leading safety features combined with exceptional value have garnered the Spectra model line numerous awards since being redesigned in 2006.
Considered a 2007 "Best Bet" by The Car Book in the Compact category and receiving two distinctions from Edmunds.com ("Consumers Most-Wanted - Wagons under $25,000" and "Top 10 Cars under $15,000"), the Spectra sedan and five-door will only continue to further impress consumers and media in 2008.
Following Kia's core philosophies of providing value, safety, warranty and fun to the driving experience, the Spectra lineup is available in several trim levels (LX, EX, and SX four-door; SX five-door) and offers a host of standard amenities to appeal to a wide range of consumers.
Polished Performance
Spectra and Spectra5 vehicles are powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, which features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection. Producing 138 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft of torque , the Spectra lineup offers a more powerful punch than stable mates Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus. Outfitted with a standard five-speed manual transmission for 2008, the option of an automatic transmission extends to the LX four-door sedan making the electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission available for all trim levels.
Built on a front-wheel-drive unibody frame, standard equipment coil springs and stabilizer bars complement an independent front suspension featuring MacPherson struts and an independent dual link rear suspension to provide the optimal balance of ride comfort and engine responsiveness. An engine-speed-sensitive, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system adds the finishing touch for precise handling. In keeping with the sporty essence of the SX model line, a sport-tuned suspension and strut tower bar come standard to offer a tighter grip for more spirited driving.
Stylish Surface
Larger than Kia's entry level Rio, the Spectra lineup personifies a more grown-up exterior body with smooth, clean lines yet hints at the below-the-surface complexity of youthful spirit. All trim levels feature body-color exterior door handles, body side moldings and rear garnishes to create a sleek canvas on which to outfit aggressive subtleties such as clear-lens halogen headlights.
LX and EX models smile at onlookers with a newly designed front grille, which is presented with a sportier blend of black and chrome. SX models are fitted with an aggressive black mesh grille and the addition of fog lights, a wing-type rear spoiler (SX four-door models only), side sills as well as unique front and rear fascias. Sixteen-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels matched with 205/50R16-sized premium tires complete the bold SX look. Fifteen-inch wheels and 195/60R15-sized tires are standard on LX and EX equipped models.
Inviting Interior
High-quality full cloth-trimmed seats are merely quiet echoes to the Spectra and Spectra5's host of standard features that scream behind-the-wheel comfort and convenience. A six-way adjustable driver's seat, tilt steering column, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, rear defroster and dual 12-volt power outlets in the center console are driver-conscious luxuries standard on every vehicle. Music aficionados are not forgotten either with an AM/FM/CD stereo featuring six speakers and an auxiliary audio input jack (new for 2008) for MP3 player connectivity as standard features. EX and SX models offer additional touches such as: power windows and door locks; remote keyless entry; air conditioning; dual front and rear cup holders; and floor mats.
Upgrades for the Spectra and Spectra5 SX models include an interior fashioned with metal-finish trim and sport-cloth seats with matching door panel inserts. A leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, metal sport pedals and cruise control are other standard features. An AM/FM/MP3 stereo with a six-disc in-dash CD changer and a power sunroof also are available as SX-only options.
Comfortably Cavernous
Considered compact by its overall dimensions, small does not equate to the Spectra and Spectra5's true sense of size. With the four-door sedan boasting 97.0 cubic feet of passenger volume and the five-door providing a welcoming 98.1 cubic feet of passenger volume, the Spectra line offers more breathing room than the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Ford Focus. Storage space does not take a backseat either with an ample 12.2 cubic feet of cargo volume available in the Spectra, while 18.3 cubic feet is offered in the Spectra5. When the 60/40-split rear seats are folded flat, storage capacity in the five-door expands to 52.8 cubic feet.
Superior Safety
Earning a five-star frontal crash safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Spectra and Spectra5 provide class-leading safety with an extensive, across-the-board list of standard technology, which includes: dual front advanced airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front and rear three-point seatbelts, front seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters; Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children (LATCH), and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
Four-wheel solid disc brakes also are standard on EX and SX models while a four-sensor, four-channel antilock brake system (ABS) is an available option on SX four-door and five-door vehicles.
To complement its standard safety features, the 2008 Spectra and Spectra5 are backed by Kia's comprehensive warranty program, which offers unprecedented consumer protection with a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty, a five-year/100,000 mile limited anti-perforation warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile 24-hour roadside assistance plan.
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