2005 Kia Spectra Review
A nice little car that's easy to live with.
2005 Spectra Review Summary & Specifications
The 2005 Kia Spectra is a good representation of just how far South Korea's car makers have come in terms of design, quality and technology since the days of the infamous Hyundai Excel. Fit and finish in this economy car is on a par with the best in the class. Styling is sharp and distinctive. Power and economy mesh well. Comfort and convenience are fully featured. We could drive one of these every day and be happy. The new Spectra SX promises a sportier driving experience, while the Spectra5 delivers the added utility of a hatchback.New Car Test Drive correspondent Tom Lankard reports from Northern California; with nctd.com editor Mitch McCullough in Southern California.
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| Vehicle Category | Compact Cars |
| Editor | Tom Lankard |
| Model Lineup | Kia Spectra LX ($12,700); EX ($13,850); SX ($14,995); Spectra5 ($14,995) |
| Engines (standard) | 2.0-liter dohc 16-valve inline-4 |
| Engines (optional) | 138-hp 2.0-liter dohc 16-valve inline-4 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 4-speed automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) | 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | dual two-stage frontal airbags; dual front seat-mounted side-impact airbags; full coverage side-impact curtain airbags; three-point seatbelts at all five seating positions; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters; rear-seat child safety seat anchors; internal emergency trunk release |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | ABS |
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Hwasung, South Korea |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-333-4542 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.kiaspectra.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 12700 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Kia Spectra EX ($13,850) |
| Standard Equipment | air conditioning; AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers; 6-way manually adjustable driver's seat; power windows, mirrors and central locking; tilt steering wheel; 60/40 split folding rear seat; delay-off interior lighting; heated outside mirrors |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | automatic transmission ($1,000); alloy wheels ($360); cruise control ($250); carpeted floor mats ($80) |
| Destination Charge | 540 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 16080 |
| Layout | front-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 138 @ 6000 |
| Torque | 136 @ 4500 |
| Fuel Economy | 25/34 |
| Wheelbase | 102.8 |
| Length/Width/Height | 176.4/68.3/57.9 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 33.2 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 40.0/52.4/42.8 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.2/53.9/35.4 |
| Trunk Volume | 12.2 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent, MacPherson strut, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent, multi-link with Chapman struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| Ground Clearance | 6.3 |
| Curb Weight | 2767 |
| Stock Tires | P195/60R15 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | disc/disc |
| Fuel Capacity | 14.5 |