2001 Kia Spectra

KIA Expands Its Line With A Sporty, Thrifty Coupe-like Sedan

By Bob Storck

Price Range: $10,795-16,000 Pricing And Options

Engine: 1.8 liter, 125 hp I4
Front Engine/Front Drive

MPG (city/hwy): 23/29
Airbags: DP
ABS - std.

Features: Kia's well tested sedan components reappear with a youth oriented sports coupe look - With their interest in racing and fun lifestyles, look for lots of neat accessories to appear.

(Parumph, NV) Kia Motors America chose to unveil its new sporty sedan, the Spectra, on the northwest edge of Las Vegas. Theyâve been getting a lot of mileage out of their Sportage SUV in the US and have increased their sales by about 30% from last year. With few products on the showroom floor, the Spectra adds some variety to the mix.

Maybe variety is the wrong word. How about variant? The Spectra shares all its critical dimensions with the Sephia. In reality the Spectra is a hatchback version of the Sephia. Hatchback you say? Didnât they die an ugly death in the US during the 1980s? You remember all those nasty rattling hatches. Well this one doesnât rattle.

The Europeans have known and loved hatchbacks forever and if truth be told, a hatchback adds a lot of utility to a sedan. Itâs no wonder that someone is betting that people will discover the hatchbackâs utility again. Leave it to Kia.

The Spectra offers the versatility and convenience of a hatchback configuration while retaining the look of a sedan. With its standard split-folding rear seat and wide, easy-opening rear hatch, the Spectra can accommodate a variety of passenger and cargo combinations, especially handy for those who like to take their gear with them.

There were opportunities to drive the cars from Las Vegas to Parumph through some scenic areas and on some fairly straight highways. GSX models were available for sampling, almost all very well equipped, some with automatic transmissions.

We headed off in a GSX automatic. We must not have done a good job paying attention because we were doing our level best to get lost in the suburbs of Las Vegas. The Spectra has a fairly tight turning radius and the 1.8L engine, while not being blessed with abundant torque, helped keep us one step ahead of oncoming traffic after pulling a couple of ÎUâ turns.