Car Review of the 2004 Kia Spectra Compact Economy Sedan and Wagon
Base MSRP Range: $12,620 - $14,725
Base Invoice Range: $11,925 - $13,745
MSRP As Tested: Not Avialable
Versions: LX, EX and Spectra5
Vehicle Category: Compact Economy Sedan and Wagon.
Engine Location: Front Engine.
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive.
Engine as Tested: 2.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, I-4, 138 - horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 132 lb-ft torque at 6,000 rpm.
Transmission As Tested: 5-Speed Manual, 4-Speed Automatic.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): Manual 25/32, Automatic 24/34.
Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger airbags, Side air curtain, Optional ">Antilock Brake System
Competition: Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cobalt, Toyota Corolla, Suzuki Aero.
Review
The 2004 Kia Spectra compact sedan is offered in two versions; a four-door, and a five-door (hatchback) sedan. This Specra is all-new, and represents a tremendously improved product over its predecessor. This is a brand new model in every way, especially the content, looks, handling and performance. The only thing that remains is the name.
Be aware that the all-new Kia Spectra was introduced in the middle of 2004, as a 2004 model. The old model is still for sale. The all-new version should have been introduced as a 2005 model to keep from confusing consumers. But they didn’t. So make sure that when you look at 2004 Kia Spectras, you are looking at the all-new version.
Kia has come along way since first setting up shop in the United States in 1994. And they have made a few, important, vehicle introductions since they began selling cars here.
The Kia Sportage, truly the first compact Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) offered in the states, was first introduced in the U.S. in 1995. It was such a good idea that almost every automaker producing SUVs now makes small ones.
Kia’s have always been considered “bargain” cars, meaning that they are inexpensive, easy to purchase, and buyers could easily negotiate lower prices for them. Kia could be counted on to sell cars that didn’t cost much. Initially the average price of a Kia was $12,000. Now the average price of their vehicles is $20,000 reflecting better design, quality, and increased content.
And Kia has experienced tremendous growth in the US. Now Kia outsells BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Infiniti.
The introduction of the all-new 2004 Kia Spectra marks the beginning off the Mazdafication of Kia. What we mean by this is, Kia is getting a similar makeover to what Mazda has received, and they are doing it by hiring former Mazda employees. Kia too make its cars sportier looking, better handling, and give the engines more power. The idea is to raise the awareness of the product by changing the perception of Kias as “cheap, and easy for anyone to get into,” to “desirable because they perform well and look great.”
Mazdas are among the best handling of all the Japanese cars currently sold in the US. The product line has had a complete makeover. All of them are competent, and fun to drive. Unfortunately Mazda remains one of the automakers with the lowest brand awareness. That’s too bad, because the products are great for the price.
Former Mazda Public Relations Manager, Fred “Mr. Miata” Aikens, has been hired by Kia. He is now the Product Strategy Manger for Spectra and expect that he will be able to improve Kia’s images, just the way he did it for Mazda. Kia also hired Mazda’s “chassis man” Gordon Dickie. The 2004 Kia Spectra is the first car Dickie has worked on for the company. The difference in the handling of the new Kia shows Dickie’s skill. We are looking forward to the result of his efforts on other vehicles in the Kia product line, like the Amante. It is a fantastic luxury sedan, whose only fault is its ride.
The news with Kia really is the new talent. With these people, Kia will build better, and better cars.
Exterior
The styling of the new 2004 Spectra is far more sporty, and refined, than the previous version. It is as nice looking as any economy product on the market. The new shape makes the car more appealing style conscious adults, who might otherwise not have considered the previous version.
Design cues from the Optima appear in the Spectra. It’s apparent in the shape of the grill, and hood. The D pillar (fourth roof support at the rear) and roof-line make the back end look similar to the Mazda 3. It is nicely rounded, and some of its overall styling looks similar to the Audi product line. It has a nice, flowing shape.
Both version of the all-new Spectra has an attractive contour line that runs from above the front wheel well, all the way past the rear wheel well. This makes the car look more complex, and sophisticated. It catches the light nicely.
Interior
The interior is simple, but complete. Gone are the dated styling cues, and fabrics from the predecessor. The all-new Spectra has an attractive two-tone dash, with a comprehensive instrument cluster.
Under the cowl there is a tachometer on the right. In the center there is a large speedometer. The other gauges are all on the right.
The center stack (center appointments) has a clock at the top, with the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) vents below. Next are the controls for the am/fm/CD, and then those for the HVAC system. All these features are right where they should be, and they are in the proper order.
The seats are as good as any in this price range. They are solid and comfortable for long drives. There is enough bolstering on the seats to hold you in place if you are driving on twisty mountain roads. The driver’s seat is adjustable six ways. A 60/40-split, rear, bench seat is standard.
The all-new Spectra’s longer wheelbase, increased width, and height make the car as roomy as any compact on the market. It is so roomy, that it even competes with many cars in the mid-size segment like the Mazda 6, Saab 9-3, and the Volvo S60. The trunk is 20% larger than in the previous model.
Purchase the better appointed EX trim level to get air conditioning, power windows and door locks, with remote entry. The EX costs around $1,200 more than the LX version.
Performance
The all-new 2004 Kia Spectra is powered by a 2.0 liter, dual overhead cam, 16 valve, fuel-injected engine with continuously variable valve timing (CVVT.) The engine produces 138-horespower at 4,500 rpms, an increase of 14 horsepower. It also produces 136 lb-ft of torque, an increase of about 12 percent. Spectra’s engine enhancements give it more power than the Honda Civic LX, Toyota Corolla LE, Nissan Sentra S, and the Ford Focus SE.
The 5-speed manual transmission is smooth. the Honda and Mazda versions are better. Spectra is available with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The automatic provided less power than we like for getting on the highway, or passing other motorists. The manual is definitely the better of the two transmissions offered.
Performance is competent, but not exciting. For most people, this car is sufficent for daily driving, and commuting. Moreover it is affordable.
For the all-new Spectra to compete with the compact economy products from Mazda, and Honda, it will need a higher-horsepower engine option, and a good supply of factory add-ons features to make it sportier.
But if cost savings are the most important to you in these days of high gas prices, the all-new Spectra is a great buy. The EPA mileage figures are 25 in the city, and 32 on the highway for the manual transmission version.
Ride and Handling
The all-new Kia Spectra has four-wheel independent suspension. It is the first Kia to come with a front, anti-sway bar mounted on the shock towers. The wheelbase is both longer, and wider. The car is stable, and comfortable, on the freeway, and fun to drive on twisty mountain roads. It handles better than the old version.
Former Mazda chassis-man, Gordon Dickie, has been charged with improving the ride, and quality, of Kia products. Given that he is responsible for the great handling of the Mazda 3, and 6, we fully expect him to work magic on the Kia products. Spectra is the first car he has worked on for Kia and the difference is dramatic.
We hope he has the opportunity to go back and work on the ride of the Amanti, other cars in the product line, and all the new vehicles. If so, Dickie’s talent can transform the company’s cars, making them much more desirable.
Safety
The all-new Kia Spectra comes standard with four-wheel disc brakes. Disc brakes provide more predictable stopping power than mixes of disc and drum brakes. Antilock brakes are available as an option on the EX version, and the 5-door hatchback sedans.
The Spectra comes with six airbags. For the driver and front passenger there are dual-stage front bags, and seat-mounted side airbags. For the rear passengers there are two, full-length, side-curtain airbags. The Spectra is the lowest priced car on the market with the side-curtain airbags as standard features. They plan to put the side-curtain airbags in all of their models.
Kia has found that safety works well as a selling point for their products. The 2002 Sedona minivan was the first Kia product to receive NHTSA’s 5-star rating for front and side impact crash tests. This certainly helped sales. And, the Kia Sorrento is one of only 3 sport utility vehicles on the market to have received NHTSA’s 5-star rating, for side impacts. We expect the Spectra to do well in the crash tests as well.
Conclusion
The Spectra is a great value compared to its competitors. It is less expensive than the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, and Chevrolet Cavalier. It looks as good, if not better, than most.
There are more standard features, and the upmarket version has everything anyone could want in an economy product, especially with the side-impact curtains.
Pros: Great mileage, good design inside and out, great value for the money.
Cons: Needs more performance from the engine
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 7
- Performance: 7
- Price: 9
- Handling: 7
- Ride: 7
- Comfort: 7
- Quality: 7
- Overall: 8.2
More Data
Where Built: Hwasung Korea
Major Options: Anti-lock Brakes, Moonroof, Air conditioning.
Seating: 5
Number of Rows: 2
Length in Inches: 176.4
Warranties: 5 years/60,000 miles limited basic, 10 years/100,000 miles extended powertrain, 5 years/100,000 miles corrosion protection, 5 year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance.
Weight in Pounds: 2,892 lbs
Cargo Capacity in Pounds: 1,118 - 1,147
Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: 5,164 - 5,351
Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Available
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 14.5
Destination Charge: $590
