2007 Kia Spectra Review

The five-passenger 2007 Kia Spectra sedan carries a "compact" designation and has an opening MSRP of $13,495. The model has been re-engineered for 2007, emerging with an exterior drawing on a sport heritage and an interior offering more room and more amenities than ever before. The Spectra gets up to 34 mpg, making it a robust performer in fuel efficiency on a 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine generating 138 horsepower (manual transmission with five speeds with an option for an automatic with four speeds.)

The Spectra is offered in three trim levels: LX, EX, and SX. All have an audio combo unit playing across four speakers with two tweeters mounted in the doors. The SX has an option to add a changer in the dash to hold six discs (with MP3 playback capability.) Air conditioning is optional on the LX and standard on the EX and SX. The LX and EX have seats trimmed in full-cloth with the SX using "sport" cloth. Drivers enjoy six levels of seat adjustment. Rear seats fold and split according to the 60/40 configuration.

Occupants are protected by twin airbags in the front as well as those mounted in the seats to shield against lateral collisions. (Bags in the curtain position are also present.) The vehicle has crumple zones to the front and rear as well as beams in the doors to absorb impact and a system to monitor the pressure of the tires. Child seats are held in place by the LATCH anchoring system and the locks on the rear doors are rated as child safe. A latch placed inside the trunk allows for internal emergency release.