The Spectra is an inexpensive car, and this point is reflected in its interior. The dash design is generic and inoffensive, and could have come from one of many Asian sedans. The controls are easy to use, however. Kia has responded to earlier complaints about tiny radio controls. As a result, even ham-fingered auto writers can operate the Spectra's radio without much distraction. The base GS has a standard tachometer and AM/FM/cassette stereo.
Door panels on less-expensive cars are often plain plastic, but both the GS and GSX have cloth door-panel inserts. The GSX upholstery is upgraded to sport cloth. The seat bottoms on the front buckets, however, are short on support for longer legs. Overall, the quality of the plastic parts in the interior is below the standards for the class. The GSX is enhanced by a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob.
The rear seat will accommodate three, but not if they're adult males who plan to be there for a while. The seat folds 60/40 for cargo flexibility that challenges a small wagon and, with the Spectra's hatch design, is even easier access. Seats up, the official trunk has 11.6 cubic feet of luggage room, which is excellent for a small car.
The Spectra GSX is not blindingly fast, but if the driver is willing to rev the engine it produces spunky acceleration performance with the five-speed manual transmission. The engine revs with abandon and seems happy to do so.
The gearshift lever has a rubbery feel, but we never missed a shift. Clutch take-up is smooth and light. We suspect the optional automatic transmission would sap a good deal of the engine's vigor; comparing the ratios of both transmissions seconds that impression. Anyone at all interested in acceleration in a Spectra should learn how to drive a stick. Nonetheless, the automatic has a tall overdrive ratio (0.70:1). Not only does that mean quieter cruising at freeway speeds, but it also delivers better EPA highway mileage ratings: 32 mpg compared to 29 mpg with the five-speed. The manual edges the automatic in city mileage, however, at 23 mpg vs. 22 mpg.
In cornering, the Spectra offers good balance, as one would expect from Lotus Engineering. Like most front-wheel-drive cars, its handling is predisposed to understeer (the front tires begin losing grip before the rear tires do). Turn-in for corners is a little sluggish: Our impression was that there's something rubbery between the steering wheel and the pavement, with a squishiness that has to be taken up before the Spectra begins to turn. This is particularly noticeable in fast, slalom-type directional changes.
The Spectra is quiet on the highway, with a surprising absence of wind or engine racket. It feels larger than its compact measurements would seem to warrant, even on an extended drive.
We were delighted by the performance of the standard brakes. We checked them out on a closed circuit that had several corners requiring high-speed braking. The Spectra's brakes never whimpered nor showed any signs of fading. That's extraordinary for an economy car.
Kia hopes the Spectra will be popular with the front-drive hot-rod crowd, thanks to its affordable price and easy adaptability. (Kia showed off a modified Spectra to demonstrate performance potential for the aftermarket.)
The Spectra's extremely attractive price should make it a major draw for shoppers who can buy a new car with an excellent warranty for the same price as many used cars. Spectra is a roomy, versatile vehicle at a good price. It has some compromises with trim items, but its hardware seems durable. If you want a five-door hatchback at this price, the Spectra is the only game in town.
