Interiors, too, can be stylish and user friendly, and without being expensive.Large expanses of textured materials give the new 2004 Spectra's dash a quality look. The same large expanses make for fewer seams and joints that inevitably will come to squeak as they work against each other, and this plus good sound deadening promises quiet times for people riding in the new Spectra, a promise the car delivers. Even over rough pavement, only the sounds of tires against pavement penetrated the cabin. The look is quality, too, with a dark color over a lighter shade, giving the cabin an open feeling while minimizing reflected dash-top glare in the windshield. Door panels are finished with textured plastic panels and soft fabric insets that add to the openness.
The instruments, large, round speedometer and tachometer and smaller fuel and water temperature gauges, fill a deep-set pod easily viewed through the four-spoke steering wheel. The wheel rim is thick and easy to grip. The optional cruise control is managed by a multi-function stalk fixed to the wheel between the left spokes.
The radio sits high in the center stack, below two large, adjustable vents separated by an intuitively positioned hazard warning button, above which are positioned two, smallish screens with digital clock and seatbelt warning displays. Stereo controls are easy to read and use, save for the tuning function, a large rocker switch that scrolls at a fixed, agonizingly slow rate up or down through the frequencies. In the LX, one large and one smaller storage bins sit beneath the stereo; in the EX, replacing the smaller bin is a row of sizable buttons, only one of which does anything, namely, turning the rear window defogger on or off. Across the lower area of the center stack are the climate control knobs: large, round and basic, with tactile feel surprisingly consistent for an economy car. At the left end of the lower dash panel are readily accessible switches for opening the trunk and adjusting the dash lights above yet another storage bin.