2004 Kia Spectra Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Spectra is the larger and costlier of Kia's two subcompact cars. A redesigned version (see report) is to be introduced in March 2004, also as a 2004 model. Meanwhile, "early" 2004 versions may still be available. They are offered in sedan or hatchback form with a 4-cyl engine and manual or automatic transmission. Sedans are base and LS models, hatchbacks are GS and GSX models. Optional ABS is exclusive to LS and GSX versions. Side airbags are unavailable. Air conditioning is standard on LS and GSX, optional on base and GS. Power windows and door locks are standard on LS and GSX, but unavailable on others. Kia is owned by Hyundai and carries that South Korean automaker's warranty coverage: 5-years/50,000-mi. basic, 10/100,000 powertrain, 5/unlimited roadside assistance.

News

The current Spectra was created before Kia's takeover by Hyundai, which is looking to save money by sharing platforms across similar models under both nameplates. That's why the redesigned Spectra is waiting in the wings and will be a retrimmed Hyundai Elantra, a move that would bump up the Kia a bit in size, power, and perhaps price.

2004 Kia Spectra Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)

	Noise

	Rear-seat room

	Cargo room

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LS sdn, man.	GSX w/ABS, auto.	Class Average
4	3	4

Pretty ordinary even for the budget league. Test LS sedan did 9.2 sec 0-60 mph with manual transmission. Automatic-transmission Spectras take about 11.2 sec and are prone to jolting downshifts.

Fuel Economy

LS sdn, man.	GSX w/ABS, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6.6

Also unremarkable at 22.7 mpg in our test of a manual-transmission sedan, though that included performance runs and lots of city driving. Expect slightly higher mileage in more mixed driving.

Ride Quality

LS sdn, man.	GSX w/ABS, auto.	Class Average
3	3	4.4

OK, but excessive tire thump intrudes on corrugated freeways.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LS sdn, man.	GSX w/ABS, auto.	Class Average
3	4	5.3

Generally pleasant. Quick, responsive steering. Abrupt throttle changes can induce unwanted driveline rocking. Braking OK without ABS, but better with; marked nosedive in quick stops, regardless.

Quietness

LS sdn, man.	GSX w/ABS, auto.	Class Average
3	3	4

Wind noise surprisingly modest at highway speeds, but engine is mostly loud and coarse, and there's marked tire rumble except on smooth pavement.

Controls

LS sdn, man.	GSX w/ABS, auto.	Class Average
6	6	5.6

Bland, but orderly and convenient, with generously sized controls. Recent test cars have been tight and rattle free with nice-looking, well-detailed interiors.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LS sdn, man.	GSX w/ABS, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.1

Plenty of leg room and seat travel, plus good head and shoulder clearance. Firmly bolstered seats don't seem long-haul comfortable.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LS sdn, man.	GSX w/ABS, auto.	Class Average
3	3	3.9

Subcompact-normal. Just adequate leg and head room. Slightly restricted entry/exit.

Cargo Room

LS sdn, man.	GSX w/ABS, auto.	Class Average
2	3	3.9

Subpar, but available space is quite usable. Back seats fold to extend load floor, but cargo can't be fully locked away in either body style.

Value within Class

LS sdn, man.	GSX w/ABS, auto.	Class Average
2	2	5.6

Even the "early" 2004 Spectra is a better value in every way than Kia's smaller Rio, at not that much more money. It's a generally competent car overall, but lacks several features found on its more modern replacement. So don't buy without a sizable discount.

Total Score

LS sdn, man.	GSX w/ABS, auto.	Class Average
37	38	48.4

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		34
Average Score		48
High Score		64

2004 Kia Spectra Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 11/13/2003

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door sedan, manual	$11,820	$11,090	$540

Base 4-door sedan, automatic	$12,795	$11,980	$540

GS 4-door hatchback, manual	$13,040	$12,290	$540

GS 4-door hatchback, automatic	$14,015	$13,175	$540

LS 4-door sedan, manual	$13,050	$12,145	$540

LS 4-door sedan, automatic	$14,025	$13,005	$540

GSX 4-door hatchback, manual	$14,090	$13,250	$540

GSX 4-door hatchback, automatic	$15,065	$14,110	$540

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base/GS

Powertrain

1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power steering, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, driver-seat height and lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, rear defogger, visor mirrors, map lights, intermittent wipers, remote fuel-door/decklid release, rear wiper/washer (hatchback), automatic-off headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

185/65R14 tires, wheel covers.

LS adds to Base/GS:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights.

GSX adds to LS:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear spoiler, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Cruise Pkg.
LS, GSX	$275	$246
Cruise control, variable-intermittent wipers.

Safety
Antilock brakes
LS, GSX	$800	$714
Includes 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning
Base, GS	$960	$857


Remote keyless entry
LS, GSX	$210	$162


6-disc CD changer
Base/GS, GSX, LS	$335	$258


Floormats
Base/GS, GSX, LS	$80	$61


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler
Base, LS	$200	$154


Alloy wheels
LS	$360	$313

2004 Kia Spectra Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Kia Spectra 4-door sedan	Kia Spectra 4-door hatchback

Wheelbase, in.	100.8	100.8

Overall Length, in.	177.6	178.1

Overall Width, in.	67.9	67.9

Overall Height, in.	55.7	56.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	2661	2686

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	10.4	11.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.2	13.2

Seating Capacity	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.6	39.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.1	43.1

Rear Head Room, in.	37.6	36.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	34.4	34.4

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	1.8 /109

Horsepower @ rpm.	124 @ 6000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	119 @ 4900

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	24/32

4-speed automatic	22/30

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Kia Spectra 4-door sedan	Kia Spectra 4-door hatchback

Front Impact, Driver	4	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4	4

Side Impact, Driver	4	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	3	3

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	10/100,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	5/60,000	--

Corrosion	5/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	5/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: South Korea

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2004 Kia Spectra Photos

Also in the 2004 Kia Spectra Review:

Kia Spectra

Kia Spectra Road Test

Kia Spectra Prices & Equipment

Kia Spectra Specs & Safety

Kia Spectra Photos

Kia Spectra Full Review

All Kia Spectras

All Kias