Overview

What's New
The Spectra is Kia's compact sedan and five-door. For 2006, floor mats and a cabin air filter are now standard on all Spectras, and cruise control is now standard on the SX and Spectra5. There's a new 4-speed automatic transmission that's available in all states except for California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Vermont. And there's a new color that's been added to the exterior palette: Deep Ocean Blue. On the other side of the coin, the LX sedan has been eliminated, as have fog lamps and the sunroof option on the EX model. The EX's alloy wheel option has been dropped, but you can still get the rims as a dealer-installed option.

Overview
Three trims are available for the Spectra: base EX sedan, sport-tuned SX sedan, and Spectra5 hatchback. Powering all Spectras is a 2.0L inline-four-cylinder engine producing 138 hp; it's mated to a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission. Safety equipment includes six standard air bags: dual advanced front air bags, front-seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain air bags. Four-channel ABS-assisted brakes are available as optional equipment for the Spectra SX and Spectra5 models. Additional safety features include front seat belt pre-tensioners and force limiters, three-point seat belts for all five seating positions, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, and child-safety door latches.

Standard features on the LX sedan include auto-off headlights, AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers and door-mounted tweeters, height-adjustable steering column, tachometer, 6-way adjustable driver's seat, digital clock, carpeted floor mats, in-cabin air filter, tinted glass, rear-window defroster, and dual map lights with sunglasses holder.

The sporty Spectra SX sedan and Spectra5 five-door feature a sport-tuned suspension, 16-inch wheels and tires, cruise control, a strut tower bar (with manual transmission only), a rear spoiler, fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob with perforated leather, sport fabric on the seats, and door panels and metal-finish trim throughout the interior. Optional equipment includes a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, cruise control, rear spoiler, and a body kit that adds a front spoiler and rear valence.

The Competition
The Compact Conventional segment has traditionally been the place where many first-time buyers seek their new wheels. Recently, the segment has seen resurgence across demographic lines fueled by the ease of maneuverability in urban areas and miserly fuel consumption of these vehicles.

According to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM the segment is hotly contested by the sales-leading Honda Civic (308,415 sales in calendar year 2005), Toyota Corolla (244,032), and Chevrolet Cobalt (212,667). Other models with calendar year 2005 sales greater than 100,000 units include: the Ford Focus, Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Jetta, and Saturn ION. The Kia Spectra found 56,088 buyers in 2005.