2005 KIA SPECTRA5 NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2005 Kia Spectra5?
Kia steps in to the hot hatch ring with the new Spectra5, complete with a free-revving 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a sport-tuned suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels and tires, a strut tower bar, fog lamps, a rear spoiler, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and metal pedals.

Advantages of the 2005 Kia Spectra5:

• Standard side-curtain airbags
• Standard side-impact airbags
• Excellent powertrain warranty
• Cargo-swallowing hatch
• Roomy interior
• Low starting prices

Objections to the 2005 Kia Spectra5:

• Small stereo controls

Editor's Advice:
Kia certainly has another hit on its hands with the 2005 Spectra5 five-door hatchback. With a starting MSRP just a tick under $15,000, the Spectra5 is a bargain, especially with its standard side-curtain airbags. Couple this safety feature with standard side-impact airbags, a 138-horsepower engine and a ten-year/100,000-mile warranty, and it will be hard for cash-strapped car buyers to ignore the stylish Spectra5, especially give its handy cargo-swallowing hatchback configuration and sport-tuned suspension. Be careful with the options, though, because if every box on the list gets checked the 2005 Kia Spectra5 goes for about $18,000, negating to some degree the point of buying one in the first place.