With the way things are going, fuel-efficient compact cars could become the new status symbol, and Escalades an object of embarrassment.
It helps that today’s economy cars are not the tin cans of old. One of the best cases in point is the Kia Spectra.
Available in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback (wagon) versions, Spectra is solidly built and comes with a generous amount of standard equipment, including safety features not usually included in this class.
Spectra has been recognized with such awards as Most Delightful Vehicle of 2005, by Strategic Vision, in the small car segment; a Consumer Guide Recommended Buy; a Consumers Digest Best Buy; and one of the Greenest Cars for 2006, by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. In the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study, Spectra was ranked second in the compact sedan segment.
Both the sedan and wagon offer seating for five. There are three trim levels for the sedan — LX, EX and sport-tuned SX. The five-door comes in one version, the Spectra5 SX.
All models are equipped with a 138-horsepower four-cylinder engine and have front-wheel drive. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on both versions, with an optional four-speed automatic available on all but the LX sedan.
Base pricing for 2007 models (Spectra is unchanged for 2008) ranges from $13,520 for the LX sedan with manual transmission to $17,620 for the Spectra5 with automatic.
Standard features on my tester, a Spectra5 with manual transmission, include air conditioning, power heated outside mirrors, six-speaker audio system with CD player, cruise control, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, fog lights, tilt steering wheel, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, sport-tuned four-wheel independent suspension, full-length side curtain airbags, and front seat-mounted side airbags. Spoilers, side sills and other exterior effects are part of the SX package.
The tester’s optional items are anti-lock brakes, a six-disc CD changer and a power sunroof — for a total of $1,400.
The fuel economy rating for my 2007 tester is 27 mpg city, 33 highway. By 2008 standards, the numbers are 23/30 (or 24/32 with an automatic transmission).
Spectra’s interior and exterior design are in the safe middle ground, not too flashy nor too uninteresting. The five-door version adds the practicality of a split folding rear seat to expand the rear cargo area. The seatbacks fold down quickly and easily with the flick of a knob, but with headrests in place don’t fold flat if front seats are positioned to accommodate average adults. With the rear seats upright, there’s still a decent-sized rear cargo area, with a cover, just right-sized for grocery runs as long as they aren’t to Costco.
The interior is roomy and comfortable, even for rear passengers, and road noise is quite low, especially for a car in this class. Quality of materials and fit-and-finish are commendable, as is the placement and configuration of controls and storage bins. I particularly liked the big bin beneath the dash, where I could stow mail that needed sending, in a place where I’d be sure not to forget about it, but it would stay put during sharp turns. Most large cars don’t even provide such a useful space.
Spectra’s handling is crisp and satisfying, and acceleration is good — the five speed helped in that respect. But there’s considerable travel in the clutch pedal, and I embarrassed myself more than once by overrevving during an uphill launch.
At least I wasn’t seen driving an Escalade, though.
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