Thursday, May 28, 2009

2009 Kia Spectra road test

The 2009 Kia Spectra is a front-drive, compact car that deserves a closer look.

The Kia Spectra and Spectra5 are basically unchanged for 2009 and they use the 2001-2006 Hyundai Elantra platform. The Spectra is a four-door sedan and the Spectra5 is a four door hatchback. There is only one engine available; it's a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 138 horsepower. Buyers can choose either a five-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic. The automatic gets better fuel economy ratings at 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway. All Spectra models use regular gasoline.

Acceleration performance is just adequate and in this rare case we recommend the automatic transmission for its smooth shifting and increased fuel economy. The five-speed manual transmission has a "rubbery" feeling shift lever and shift action, so it feels sloppy. Air conditioning is no longer standard; it's an option as is ABS, but a tachometer is standard.

Remote start (usually a Cadillac option for New Jersey mobsters) is available as well. We liked the gauges and the switchgear, but the cabin contains a lot of plastic, which shouts "Cheap" at the driver all the time.

Kia Spectra ride quality is very comfortable, but there is a downside -- the Spectra acts like a "bucking bronco" when the road surface is uneven. The sport-tuned suspension of the Spectra5 and the SX model tends to be harsh and choppy rather than controlled. Sticker prices range from $14,000 up to $18,000. The Kia is not as refined as its Honda, Nissan and Mazda competition, but its long warranty and improved build quality make it worthy of your short list. On our scale of one to five, four tires and the spare the 2009 Kia Spectra rates a four.

examiner.com

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