2008 Kia Spectra

Introduced for the 2000 model year, the Spectra is now in its second generation with the redesigned car bowing for 2005.

Powering the four-door sedan is an iron-block, aluminum-head inline-four displacing nearly 2.0 liters. The dual-cam, four-valves-per-cylinder design utilizes Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) to deliver 138 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm. It is also available in SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) guise where it makes 6 fewer ponies and 3 less lb-ft of torque. Transmissions are par for the class: a five-speed manual is standard fare, with a 4-speed automatic as an option. The EPA says the five-speed Spectra will consume 23 mpg in its city cycle, and 30 mpg on the highway. The auto is worse in the city, at 24 mpg, but better on the highway, at 32 mpg.

Three trims of the Spectra exist; LX, EX and SX, in ascending order of equipment and price. The LX rolls on 15-inch tires and steel wheels, and makes do with drum brakes in the rear. The EX and SX get discs all around and ABS can only be had as an option on the sporty, top-of-the-line SX. It also gets low-profile 16-inch tires on alloy wheels and a sport-tuned suspension in place of the LX and EX's steel 15-inch wheel and tire package and softer suspenders.

The base LX, be it stick or auto, rolls out with standard equipment that includes dual front airbags, side curtain airbags, body-color moldings, an AM/FM/CD player with 4 speakers and two tweeters, tinted glass, 6-way manual driver's seat, a 60/40 split folding rear seatback and a tilt adjustable steering column. Air conditioning, floormats, and a rear spoiler are stand-alone options from the factory on the LX.

Moving up to the EX adds air conditioning, floor mats, body color heated power mirrors, power windows and door locks with keyless entry, dual rear cup holders and the four-wheel disc brakes. On the options list are 15-inch alloys, cruise control (which requires the alloys), a rear spoiler and wheel locks.
The top-of-the-line SX gets the aforementioned 16-inch alloys and a more aggressive suspension, front fog lights, unique front and rear styling, cruise control, sport cloth seat trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel / gear shift knob and metal-finish trim and pedals. On the SX option list is a sunroof, six-disc CD player with MP3 capability, anti-lock brakes and wheel locks. Interestingly, you can't have the sunroof without first ordering the ABS, and you can't get the ABS without the upgraded stereo, so a sunroof effectively becomes a package of all three, and requiring ABS means you have to get a better sound experience too.

Remote starting is added to that options list with all automatic Spectras.

As with other Kias, buyers get an industry-leading 10-year / 100,000-mile warranty.