2004 Kia Spectra

Kia anticipates the EX, which we focused on for this drive, will be the most popular Spectra model. Here, the price of entry starts at $13,750 plus delivery. That added bump nets niceties like A/C, power windows, power locks with keyless remote, power heated outside mirrors and fog lights. It also allows the package to be enhanced with items like cruise control ($200), a power sunroof ($700), anti-lock brakes ($400) and alloy wheels ($360)—including a choice of 15-inch or 16-inch rims—in place of the standard 15-inch steel units. Wheel specs aside, both LX and EX wear H-rated 195/60 Goodyear Eagle LS tires, another unexpectedly upscale touch. Our autoshifted EX tester, augmented with 15-inch alloys, cruise control and carpeted mats, bottom-lined at $15,905.

A new 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve four with Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on the intake valves provides motivation for both Spectra variants.

On the road, our Spectra proved an amiable and capable travelmate. Inside, the look, fit and feel of materials is on par with any of its international rivals. The front buckets, while on the somewhat firm side, offer a good combination of support and comfort. Control layouts, gauge legibility and driving position also merit kudos. Any modest sporting aspirations it may proffer notwithstanding, the Spectra is really happiest when serving as a smooth, surprisingly refined freeway cruiser. With suspension tuning on both the LX and EX intentionally skewed toward suppleness, light-duty twisties can be negotiated with some brio. But press hard into a challenging corner, and you'll find the nose inevitably, albeit predictably, pushes onward and outward in typical front-drive manner.


The good news is that the Spectra's new structure feels robust enough to handle the long-term rigors of both tauter tuning and more firepower. The better news is that later this year, the lineup will be expanded with two additional members meant to exploit precisely those capabilities: a new Spectra5 sport wagon and a Spectra SX sedan. Each of these '05 models will arrive with enthusiast-grade underpinnings in addition to a healthy dose of attitude. Broad hints also were dropped that some type of extra underhood muscle could materialize sometime in the not-too-distant future. That's welcome news, indeed, because in an autoshifted EX, virtually all of the supplemental zing in the new 2.0-liter ends up being offset by an additional 140 lbs. of curb weight. There's still plenty in hand to cope with normal traffic conditions, but plenty to think about before foolishly engaging in any stoplight-to-stoplight shootouts or bold passing moves.


Despite playing in a segment where sales don't tend to come easy, great things are expected of this new Spectra. With major upticks in style and substance, Kia is projecting annual volume for its most popular line to jump from a supply-constrained 50,000 units to 70,000-plus when all four variants finally come on line. Whether the Spectra's combination of attractive packaging, aggressive pricing and a world-class warranty will resonate quite that fully with potential buyers—especially those in the targeted Gen X segment—remains to be seen. But it's definitely become a more formidable foe, no matter how one chooses to draw the battle lines. (www.kia.com)