2000 is a big year for Kia as it begins to expand its product line beyond just the Sephia sedan and Sportage SUV.  The 2000 Kia Spectra will eventually replace the Sephia in the compact segment, but this year it is released only as a 5-door hatchback.  The trick here is that the sporty-looking Spectra looks more like a sedan with a coupe-like roofline, to appeal to American tastes, but the trunk opens up like a hatch to offer up to 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the 60/40 split-fold rear seats down.

With a wheelbase a few inches longer than the Corolla, the 2000 Spectra offers good legroom for front passengers.  It comes in two trims, the GS and GSX, each with a 1.8-liter, 125-hp DOHC I4 engine and choice of standard 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic.  The front-wheel drive hatchback has a low sticker price, mostly because it comes with few trimmings.  The base GS features intermittent wipers, a rear window wiper, 14-inch tires, and a radio/cassette player.  The GSX has pretensions of sportiness, by adding power windows and locks, air conditioning, spoked alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a rear spoiler, side extensions, air dams, and sports cloth upholstery.

ABS brakes are optional on both models of the 2000 Spectra.  Dual front airbags are standard, with no option of side airbags.  Gas mileage is average, at 23/30 mpg.  What makes the 2000 Spectra attractive to buyers is its overall affordability for budget-conscious drivers.  Owners also like the precise steering, easy handling, and roominess of the cabin and trunk.  Rear legroom suffers, as it does in most compacts.  Other downsides are cheap, breakable plastic materials, labored acceleration, a clunky 5-speed, brake squeal, and a sticky trunk release mechanism.  Owners also report numerous repairs for the first year of the Spectra.