The Spectra5 became its own model in Kia's line-up when the model was redesigned for 2005, despite its obvious similarities to the Spectra sedan. The five-door hatchback has no mention-worthy changes for 2008.

Powering the practical little wagon is the same iron-block, aluminum-head inline-four displacing nearly 2.0 liters as in the sedan. 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. Despite being slightly heavier than the sedan, the EPA says the five-speed Spectra5 will consume the same 23 mpg in its city cycle, and 30 mpg on the highway. Likewise, the auto is worse in the city, at 24 mpg, but better on the highway, at 32 mpg.

Unlike in the sedan, you won't find any drum brakes or 15-inch wheels in any of the Spectra5 permutations. Actually, there is only one trim, the SX, and the only major decision buyers will need to make is whether they want to shift it themselves or, for an extra $1,000, have the car do it for them. Standard fare on the Spectra5 includes low-profile 16-inch tires on alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, a strut tower bar, rear spoiler, body kit, metal pedals, air conditioning, six airbags and a tire-pressure monitoring system, among others.

The generous airbag count was largely responsible for the Spectra5 and its sedan sibling earning the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) s-star crash safety rating in frontal driver and passenger crash tests.

The options list features a sunroof, six-disc CD player with MP3 capability, anti-lock brakes and wheel locks. And just as in the sedan, and just as curiously, 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 on the options list if you equip it with an automatic.

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