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Kia Spectra sedan in stylish design grows in size and power
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Score the new rendition of Spectra from Kia of South Korea as a shapely four-door sedan for the compact class stocking a respectable powerplant, noteworthy safety systems as standard equipment and value-packed price points honed to a competitive edge.
Tagged as a 2004 model, Spectra in new configuration calibrates as a larger package than the previous edition with best-in-class space in the five-seat cabin and more spark stemming from a larger four-pack engine.
Trim nomenclature switches with the new design to a base-level Spectra LX price leader and the deluxe EX edition with luxury gear added.
Both models look downright handsome with a prominent face, chiseled contours on the body and wheelwell flares that turn into sculpted shoulders.
The stylish new shape will no doubt provoke a second peek, should you find one on the street.
At least, that's what occurs during our initial encounter in Santa Monica when we drop into a car lot filled with prototypes of the new Spectra prepped for drive tests charted up California's Pacific Coast Highway.
Rather than hurriedly hopping aboard for a charge up the PCH, we delay the departure in favor of closer scrutiny of Spectra's crisp new styling.
Our sheetmetal exam begins at the prow with Spectra's distinctive new face.
It's marked by a thick and flat bumper in body-colored tint thrust ahead of chrome-coated grille louvers, which tuck between oversized headlamp clusters shimmering like jewels from multiple round lenses.
Two distinct creases at top edges of the grille attract the eye and lead it up the hood to define front fenders accentuated further by arching swells wrapping around frontal rims of the wheelwells.
The flared rims sweep rearward across flanks to form sloping shoulders set below a broad expanse of windows in side doors with center pillars fading to black to simulate the profile of a sporty coupe.
At the stubbed tail of Spectra there's a subtle spoiler lip topside arching between enormous clusters of corner lamps and another thick and smooth wrap-around bumper in the body color.
Pop open the driver-side door and scoot into the bolstered bucket, which nestles next to a floor-mounted center console and faces a molded steering wheel and the dashboard instrument group with big round analog gauges including a tachometer.
Decor for the cabin consists of subdued colors with fabric upholstery on seats and soft-touch plastics for hard-case surfaces such as the dashboard and console or map pockets on side doors.
Layout of the cabin appears conventional with two buckets up front and a bench for up to three riders in back.
However, the personal space for heads and shoulders and legs is definitely not conventional for a car in the compact mold -- the cabin seems tall and broad with generous room to stretch out.
The extra room comes about because this version of Spectra rides on a new structure that's significantly larger than the previous issue. There are two linear inches added to the wheelbase length, with the body rising two inches higher to the ceiling and stretching half an inch wider.
Official EPA measurement of Spectra's interior volume totals to 97 cubic feet, which is considerably more room than indicated from scores of other compact-class sedans -- it's even better than several mid-size models.
Now check the list of standard equipment on Spectra and you'll see that this car also exceeds convention for the caliber and quantity of on-board passive safety equipment.
The gear includes multi-stage frontal and side-impact air bags for front seat riders with sensors in the front passenger's seat to determine when to deploy the devices and with a force that's variable depending on the severity of an impact.
In addition, side curtain-style air bags for outboard seats in front and back are concealed in the headliner above the doors.
And the stock brakes for all Spectras put a disc at every wheel, making this the bottom-dollar car in class with four-wheel discs as standard equipment.
Opening the hood reveals that Kia's new treatment for the front-wheel-drive (FWD) Spectra encompasses an impressive and more powerful engine, along with engineering innovations which combine to make the car more quiet and easier to drive.
The four-cylinder plant, from an iron block with aluminum heads, displaces 2.0 liters and comes with dual cams on top and continuously variable valve timing (CVVT).
It produces 138 hp at 6000 rpm and torque up to 136 lb-ft at 4500 rpm.
Standard transmission is an easy-to-shift five-speed manual, although an electronically-controlled four-speed automatic is available for both trims.
Hardware for keen handling includes a rack and pinion steering system with engine speed-sensing power assistance and a fully independent suspension system.
The suspension consists of MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link arrangement with struts in back plus stabilizer bars applied fore and aft.
Now buckle up for our drive-time trials in a Spectra EX on the car-clogged PCH to Malibu and inland up wiggly Malibu Canyon Road to ridge routes like Mulholland Drive over the rugged Santa Monica Mountains.
We discover enthusiastic acceleration out of the new engine that's useful in navigating through so much traffic on the PCH. And in the mountains the car acts agile, swinging around switchback sections of curvy roads in smooth moves with a flat stance.
The equipment list for Spectra LX extends to power steering and a steering wheel with height adjustments, driver's seat with six-way adjustments, auto-off headlamps, rear folding seatback with 60/40 split, a digital clock, dual map lights, four cupholders, a tachometer and a sound system with AM-FM radio plus CD player and six speakers.
Spectra EX improves the content by adding air conditioning, power controls for windows and door locks and mirrors, heat elements in exterior mirrors, foglamps, a keyless entry device and electric trunk release.
The MSRP goes as low as $12,620 for Spectra LX.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2004 KIA SPECTRA Specs |
| Description: |
Compact-class sedan
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| Model Options: |
Compact-class sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
102.8 inches
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| Overall Length: |
176.4 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.0-L I4 CVVT
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5
Auto/4
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
LX: Power 4-disc
EX: Power 4-disc
opt. ABS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
+ 4 (side curtain)
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| Gas Mileage: |
M/5: 25/32 mpg
A/4: 25/34 mpg
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| Price: |
Spectra LX M/5: $ 12,620, Spectra LX A/4: $ 13,595, Spectra EX M/5: $ 13,750, Spectra EX A/4: $ 14,725 |
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