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2008 Kia Spectra5 SX Road Test

Before attempting to make a career in having people pay me for my thoughts

From the outside, the Spectra5 SX is sporty, yet restrained, You wouldn't pick it out as a tuner car. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

on cars, as a youngster, I spent many a Saturday morning not watching cartoons, but burying my nose between the pages of European car magazines. It was through these hand-me-downs from aunts and uncles that I gathered an interest for cars that I had never seen before. In dozens if not hundreds of these beautiful, glossy “rags” that I learned about brands that didn't sell here. I learned that the French once made passionate if not slightly quirky cars, Italian cars had soul but massive electrical problems, that Porsches managed to defy the laws of physics some how, and that all Korean cars were dull, mundane, plasticky and boring, bought only by people who simply did not care about cars, and the elderly. What a way to taint a young mind learning about cars.

There are two very important things that should be noted; firstly, this was more than ten years ago, and second, I was taught by my parents not to take everything I read as the truth. Between then, and getting a driver's license, plenty has changed. I still read car magazines, but Korean cars aren't what they used to be.

Since going on sale back in 2004, the Spectra5 has changed people's perceptions of the Kia brand - including my own. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

The Kia Spectra is not a new car. In fact, as far as compact cars ago, it's getting time for it to be replaced; it's already been phased out in certain markets. And yet, it plays a fundamentally important part in my story. It is proof, strong as anything else, that Kia is progressing forward at an astonishingly fast rate.

The Spectra is based on the previous generation Elantra, but don't let this information color your opinion before getting behind the wheel. The Spectra is an international car, and was one of the vehicles instrumental in jump-starting Kia's reputation as makers of cars that can match the world's standards, and for the most part, it is a much more convincing vehicle than the old Spectra. The Spectra's bodyshell, despite being a hatchback, is much more stiff than the old Elantra, and although the strut and twin-link suspension system is carried over, tuning is unique.

The steering weight, for one has a surprising amount of heft to it; it's a conventional hydraulic steering rather than electrical power assist which is becoming increasingly common, but it's speed sensitive.

Spectra5 SX offers optional ABS brakes and standard alloy wheels. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

At low speeds, it could do with a bit more assist, but once you're on your way and moving, effort reduces slightly without feeling overassisted or weightless. One giant surprise is how solid this sporty SX feels. On the highway, it feels planted, and less prone to crosswinds and passing trucks, not to mention at higher speeds it feels perfectly buttoned down, unflustered by undulations or bumps, a rarity at this price level. Being that there's just one model trim available, and that there's no lesser versions to compare it to, the SX feels secure, and holds the road with unexpected amounts of grip, resisting understeer better than anticipated - a bit step up from the Elantra. Despite the SX's standard sport-tuned springs, dampers and strut tower brace, the ride is still compliant and comfortable.

The SX happens to be dressed up with blacked out headlamp bezels, fog lamps and body-colored trim, plus a hatch-top rear spoiler. It's also features alloy wheels as standard equipment. These alterations make the Spectra look respectable. Last year's update saw the Spectra gain a new grille which while more conventional gels better with

The dash is simple; nothing complex or cluttered. The entire dash-top pad is soft-touch plastic. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

the rest of the styling.

Sporty the SX may be, but part of the Spectra's charm, and something that is probably going to surprise you are the refinement levels. I don't associate Kia with refinement, or, rather, I didn't until I drove the midsize Optima, and found it to be surprisingly devoid of wind and road noise. The Spectra was equally impressive in terms of nose suppression, bettering many newer rivals.

The only engine offered is a 2.0-liter with CVVT (continuous variable valve timing) which makes 138 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque. It's got enough pep to confidently deal with the city and the open road - even with the optional four-speed automatic - and provided you aren't too eager on the throttle, it's quiet too. When you lay into it, things do get noisy over 4,000 rpm, but let's face it, what compact car with a small inline-four doesn't? Unusually, the four-speed automatic is more fuel efficient than the standard five-speed manual, using 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. By comparison, the

Seats are quite comfortable; SX features a cloth chainmail pattern. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

five-speed manual consumes 23 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway.

The interior is fresh in its simplicity, and the materials feel fit to last a lifetime of use without showing wear and tear. The headliner and seat fabrics don't feel cheap, and as a bit of a surprise, the upper dash pad is completely padded - nice! The SX's sports seats, trimmed in what looks like fabric chain mail offer a bit more lateral support than the standard buckets, and the cabin is brightened a bit by metal-look trim and metal pedal coverings. Though a telescoping steering column is not offered, eight-way adjustability and a truly comfortable headrest make it easy to find a good driving position. One item I'm a bit surprised is missing are heated seats, yes, they are a bit of a rarity in the compact car segment, but Kia offers them on the Rio and on the Optima. I just find it odd that the middle one's been left out.

Another sour note, is the stereo system. It has its ups - all Spectras play CDs and MP3s, and they all have auxiliary input jacks, not to mention USB

138-hp inline-four is mostly quiet and rather efficient. It's no less an engine than the units found in the Corolla or Civic. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

inputs. The only thing is that it looks like it's straight out of the ‘80s, with a small display and tiny buttons. The micro-USB jack also disappointed; it was incompatible with my iPod Nano. Being the youth-oriented model, the SX also features an upgraded sound system that adds a pair of tweeters, and upgraded midrange speakers; the blue-colored cones are visible through the mesh grates. Unfortunately, sound quality isn't this system's forte music sounds tinny, it lacks bass and is prone to distortion.

As a small family car, the Spectra is not a bad choice, and scores just as well as a Toyota Matrix, or a VW Rabbit. The Spectra's cabin is quite roomy, and in hatchback form, it offers more rear headroom than the sedan. Because the Spectra's frame is quite wide, riding three abreast in the back seat is just that bit more roomy. In addition, the hatchback body style also adds the extra factor of practicality not to mention additional cargo space. Without folding the rear seats down, 18.3 cubic feet worth of cargo can be carried on board, versus the 12.2 of the sedan. That swells to just under 53.0 cubic feet with the seats flat, which is more than you'll find in a Mazda3 5-Door.

One area that I would like to see Kia improve on here in America is safety equipment and model trim availability. As

The Spectra5 SX feels remarkably solid for such a small car, and performs admirably on the highway. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

it stands, ABS brakes are offered to buyers as an option, but with six airbags offered as standard equipment, I'm not complaining. And a low-cost option at that ($400). In America, no other model trims are available other than the SX, which in other markets is the most expensive trim. I'd like to see Kia offer a lower LX version for those who don't need all the features found in the LX.

But the thing about it is that cars in the compact segment age prematurely compared to vehicles in other segments. When the Spectra came out four years ago, it was the one to beat, but parked next to the new Corolla or the now two year old Civic, and its age starts to show, but in terms of spaciousness, refinement and comfort, the Spectra is still on top of its game.

The next chapter for the compact-sized Kia has already been written. The Spectra had an unusually short life in Europe, only being sold for a total of two years. It's been replaced by a vehicle called the cee'd, which has been racking up awards left, right and center, taking the class standards by storm. While Kia hasn't yet decided whether or not it will sell the European-engineered and European-built cee'd here, it relays a serious message that the next Spectra is aiming high and Kia has the know-how and the ability to hit bull's eye.

Specifications (Kia Spectra5):
Price range (Spectra5): $15,995 - $18,395
Price as Tested: $18,395
Body Type: 5-door hatchback
Layout: front engine, FWD
Engine: 138 hp, 136 lb-ft of torque, 2.0L, 16-valve DOHC I-4
Transmission: 4-spd auto (std. 5-spd manual)
Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, (opt. ABS)
Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 171.3 / 68.3 / 57.9 / 102.8 in
Curb Weight: 2,833 - 3,003 lbs
Tires: 205/50R16
Capacity (trunk/folded): 18.3 / 52.8 cu-ft
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 24 / 32 mpg
Observed Fuel Economy: 28 mpg
Warranty (mo/mi): 60/60,000 comprehensive - 120/100,000 powertrain
Competitors: Chevrolet Cobalt, Dodge Caliber, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, Saturn Astra, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla / Matrix, Volkswagen Rabbit
Website: www.kia.com

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