2005 Kia Spectra Review

Specifications

New 5-Door Targets Sport Compact Market

Whats going on with Kia? The little automaker that could has definitely become the major player that can since arriving in the U.S. a short time ago. From its humble beginnings, featuring models like the Sephia sedan and Sportage compact SUV, to todays superb Sorento sport utility, Sedona minivan and all-new Spectra compact, the brand has morphed into a strong, mainstream competitor to traditional nameplates.

I drove the Spectra sedan a few months ago in Southern California, and cant remember being more shocked by how far a manufacturer can improve in a single generation. The old car is, well, seriously lacking in too many areas, while the new one is right up there with the best in the industry.

Kia teased us by parking a tricked out pre-production Spectra5 out in the lot where the sedans were waiting, this particularly example featuring custom made aerodynamic body skirts and a rear wing, all glowing in bright yellow paint. Under the hood was a supercharged version of the brands 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder, no doubt making more than the 138 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque that the stock Spectra produces. The one-off car was destined for the SEMA aftermarket parts show in Las Vegas so there was no way Kias staff would let us get behind the wheel, but at least I was able to get a sneak preview of a car that will go a long way to extending Kias reach into the youth market.

The Spectra5 received its official star-studded launch at the New York International Auto Show in Manhattan last April. Why do I say star-studded? Well, Kia Motors America president and CEO Peter Butterfield was on hand to deliver Kias message, and right on his heals was hip-hop pop band Sugar Ray - remember the 1999 mega-hit “Every Morning?” The Korean automaker and California group are doing a cross-country tour together, an effective way to get Kia into the spotlight. Banding together with a group that hasnt exactly been at the top of the charts in recent years may make tuning in and turning on North Americas youth a difficult job, but thats another point that has little to do with the new car.

While Im hardly in the target demographic, some of the younger writing staff assured me that 5-doors are the hottest thing in the sport compact market. OK, I can learn to accept the genres cool factor despite the fact that if you showed up on a date with moms 5-door (station wagon) back when I was a kid it was guaranteed to be a short night. The times change and so with them priorities, and of course style.

Some examples of top-sellers are the outgoing Mazda Protegé5, now the Mazda3 Sport, Hyundai Elantra GT, Subaru Impreza Wagon, and Ford Focus ZX5. A more recent entry includes the Suzuki Reno. At the top end of the scale theres the Lexus IS 300 SportCross, but that of course is in another league.

The Spectra5 wont be Americas least expensive car, with Kias Rio still filling that role, but just the same it will be much more affordable than Mazdas 3 Sport, for instance. Kia wont be offering a bare bones version either, as it isnt designed to be an economical family car, despite the fact that many families will use it as such.

On the subject Butterfield commented, “The Spectra5 was designed to be the sportiest Kia ever.”

It is that, at least from a styling perspective. With its black mesh grille, blacked out headlight surrounds, deep front air dam, integrated fog lights, rocker extensions and lowered rear valance, it stands out from Kias conservative family like the late Hillel Slovak (Red Hot Chili Peppers) playing guitar in The (late) Carpenters (a squeaky-clean ultra-light pop band for those of you under 40).

Under the skin are even more go-fast goodies, including performance-oriented fully independent suspension tuning right out of the box, plus standard 16-inch 8-spoke alloy wheels within P205/50R16 performance tires, and even a strut tower brace. Aiding handling further are stabilizer bars front and rear, rare in the entry-level compact class.

Inside, the 5 gets perforated leather trim wrapping the steering wheel and shift knob, plus a two-tone color scheme highlighted by sport fabric seats and door panels. Requisite metallic accents spice up the cabin too, while metal foot pedals give it a custom racing touch.

While the new Spectra5 is the sportiest version of the Spectra lineup, its doesnt compromise practicality to attain this status. Rather, its 5-door configuration makes loading and unloading cargo extremely easy, and larger, more wagon-like design upping capacity to 18.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While a liftback version of the old Spectra was available, it wasnt as spacious.

Whats more, like the sedan the Spectra5 delivers what Kia claims as best-in-class passenger volume at 98.1 cubic feet, larger than the aforementioned Mazda3 Sport, Ford Focus ZX5 and Toyota Matrix.

All that interior volume makes for optimal sound quality, so expect the standard 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system to perform well. Other top-tier standard features include air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power heated outside mirrors, a rear wiper/washer, plus a height-adjustable steering column.

While the younger audience Kia is targeting doesnt spend as much energy worrying about safety issues than us old folks, on average at least, Kia hasnt forgotten to include such features in its new Spectra5 which should appease a few parents. Along with the expected dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side impact airbags and side-curtain airbags are included as standard equipment, making a total of six. Front seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters are also part of the package. The 5 also features standard 4-wheel disc brakes, while 4-sensor, 4-channel ABS is optional.

The Spectra5 gets the same gutsy 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine as the sedan, once again making 138 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. Its a sophisticated piece of machinery, featuring 16-valves, dual-overhead cams, multi-port fuel injection and continuously variable valve timing (CVVT).

If youve checked on the state of the economy car lately youll notice that the Spectra5s output is much better than average. Sure a few, like the Mazda3, Chevy Cavalier/Pontiac Sunfire and Saturn ION offer more power, the latter two only slightly so, while the Hyundai Elantra delivers identical numbers. Why? Hyundai owns Kia outright and therefore shares the Elantras engine with its Korean relative. Most competitors, however, offer base engines within the 120 to 130 horsepower range, with the majority not offering any relevant gains in fuel economy.

Par for the course, the Spectra5 follows its sedan sibling by offering a standard 5-speed manual transmission and optional 4-speed automatic. I tested both in sedan form and found they ran through the gears efficiently, with the manual especially to my liking. There was nothing particularly wrong with the automatic mind you, the manual just suits my person tastes more.

So how well will it do? Kia expects its sporty new 5-door will comprise about 30 percent of all Spectra sales. Whether theyre right on the money or not doesnt really matter, as the new car will do its part in causing trendy, young buyers to do a double-take on Kia. And getting new faces into the showroom to drive a new Spectra5, or budget priced Rio, will go a long way to continuing the impressive sales trend initiated by the little carmaker that could.