Roughly two years ago, new Kia models were pouring in, fulfilling the promise that the Korean company made about delivering 7 new or redesigned products within a 24-month span. The Spectra5, which got its last makeover for the 2005 model year, was among the first of that gust of vehicles.
It was impressive back then, but if you redesign all your models at the same time, you'll inevitably end up with a few years in which nothing new and exciting happens in your dealerships. Sure enough, things are pretty quiet on Kia showroom floors right now (although recent sales figures prove me wrong).
Yet in the compact sedan and hatchback segment, things are moving pretty quickly, and with the price of gas that's rising non-stop, more and more people are downsizing.
Conservative styling
Although the Spectra5 got a minor facelift in 2007, it remains a car that blends in with the mass of vehicles on the road. Overall, it's a cute car, with a cheery front end and a bulbous rear, as well as front fender bulges that sweep upwards and finish off above the taillights. However, the Spectra5's styling just doesn't attract that much attention.
Inside, the cockpit is nicely designed, with a two-tone theme that flows from the dashboard into the door panels. The top of the dash is a one-piece rubbery component that doesn't glare much in the windshield and minimizes the chance of panel squeaking.
The seats are adequate for medium-length trips, but they're covered in a polyester material that looks and sounds low-rent. In back, there's ample space for 3 occupants if they're willing to snuggle up; 2 back-seat passengers will be fine. And of course, a 5-door vehicle enhances versatility over its sedan counterpart.
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| As such, the Spectra5 drives well, and for the average compact-car buyer, it does the job without fuss. |
It was impressive back then, but if you redesign all your models at the same time, you'll inevitably end up with a few years in which nothing new and exciting happens in your dealerships. Sure enough, things are pretty quiet on Kia showroom floors right now (although recent sales figures prove me wrong).
Yet in the compact sedan and hatchback segment, things are moving pretty quickly, and with the price of gas that's rising non-stop, more and more people are downsizing.
Conservative styling
Although the Spectra5 got a minor facelift in 2007, it remains a car that blends in with the mass of vehicles on the road. Overall, it's a cute car, with a cheery front end and a bulbous rear, as well as front fender bulges that sweep upwards and finish off above the taillights. However, the Spectra5's styling just doesn't attract that much attention.
Inside, the cockpit is nicely designed, with a two-tone theme that flows from the dashboard into the door panels. The top of the dash is a one-piece rubbery component that doesn't glare much in the windshield and minimizes the chance of panel squeaking.
The seats are adequate for medium-length trips, but they're covered in a polyester material that looks and sounds low-rent. In back, there's ample space for 3 occupants if they're willing to snuggle up; 2 back-seat passengers will be fine. And of course, a 5-door vehicle enhances versatility over its sedan counterpart.
 |
| The seats are covered in a polyester material that looks and sounds low-rent. |