2008 Kia Spectra Trims and Specs

The base model for the front-wheel-drive compact sedan gains a more stylish black grille and redesigned gauges, wheel covers, and shifter knob, but otherwise remains unchanged from 2007. The 2008 Kia Spectra LX rides on the Elantra platform and a full independent four-wheel suspension. Standard safety features include dual front, side impact, and side curtain airbags, halogen lamps, a tire monitor, and 15-inch wheels. ABS brakes are not offered. Alloy wheels can be substituted for the standard steel wheels. A 138-hp, 2.0-liter DOHC inline four is matched to a 5-speed manual only and gets around 23/30 mpg. In crash tests, the 2008 Spectra LX earns five stars.

Features are few in this base trim, but do include a CD player with MP3 input jack. Tilt steering, a clock, intermittent wipers, front cupholders, rear defrost, and a center console with storage and two power outlets make up the standard equipment. Options are few, but you can add air conditioning. The rear seats split-fold 60/40, opening onto a 12.2-cubic-foot trunk. The interior roominess rates highly with owners, who are mainly attracted to the 2008 Spectra LX for its low price and good warranty.

There's a big difference between the 2008 Kia Spectra EX and the base LX, mainly involving a longer list of standard features. Though the front-wheel-drive sedan shares its 2.0-liter, 138-hp DOHC inline four and 5-speed manual transmission with the base, a 4-speed automatic is also available. Along with the LX, the EX receives a new black grille with chrome accents, new dash gauges, and a new shifter knob. Added features in the 2008 Spectra EX include power windows, locks, and heated mirrors, remote entry, and air conditioning. These join the CD player, intermittent wipers, and tilt steering of the LX. The EX also adds two more cupholders for the rear seats.

There are more options available with the 2008 Spectra EX. These include cruise control and a rear spoiler. Standard safety features are the same as for the base model, but add 4-wheel disc brakes (the LX has a combo of drum and discs). A tire monitor, halogen headlamps, and dual front, front-side, and side curtain airbags help earn five stars in crash tests. Front bucket seats are separated by a center storage console with two power outlets that also doubles as an armrest. The rear seat split-folds 60/40, and the trunk holds 12 cubic feet of cargo. The 2008 Spectra EX is a good buy for those wanting a little more comfort and convenience while keeping the overall price low.

Introduced last year, the SX trim of the 2008 Kia Spectra is the sports version of the budget midsize sedan. It takes most of the attributes of the Spectra5 hatch and converts them to a sedan. Though it has the same 2.0-liter, 138-hp DOHC inline-four engine and choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, the front-wheel drive 2008 Spectra SX sits on a sport-tuned front and rear independent suspension and rides on larger 16-inch alloy wheels. Other sport features include ground effects, a larger anti-sway bar, stronger shocks, and standard foglights. Flashy touches on the inside included aluminum pedals, sport seats, and leather trim. It also gets tweaks to the front and rear ends and adds a front spoiler to the already standard rear spoiler.

Inside, the 2008 Spectra SX offers similar standard equipment to the EX, such as full power features, heated mirrors, remote entry, cruise control, a CD player with MP3 input, intermittent wipers, tilt steering, and front and rear cupholders. Unlike the other trims, 4-wheel ABS brakes are available as an option on the SX. Otherwise, it comes with 4-wheel disc brakes, a tire monitor, and dual front-side and side curtain airbags. Rear seats split-fold and the trunk holds 12 cubic feet. In addition to the 6-CD changer option, the 2008 Spectra SX can be outfitted with remote start and a sunroof.

A sporty hatchback version of the midsize economy sedan, the 2008 Kia Spectra5 wagon boosts cargo capacity to 18 cubic feet (the sedan holds 12). It receives no changes this year. A 2.0-liter, 138-hp DOHC inline four sits under the hood, matched to a standard 5-speed manual transmission. A 4-speed automatic is available. Six airbags (dual front, side impact, and side curtain) help earn five stars in crash tests, along with 4-wheel disc brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, halogen headlamps, and a tire monitor. As with the SX, 4-wheel ABS brakes are optional on the 2008 Spectra5.

The Spectra5 is a bit more fun to drive than the sedan, thanks to a sports-tuned suspension that works in conjunction with stronger shocks and a larger anti-sway bar. Though not a sports car per se, it does provide a bit more responsiveness on curves. Sports effects include a front and rear spoiler, ground effects, aluminum pedals, sport seats, and leather accents. Standard equipment mimics the SX and includes full power features, remote entry, cruise control, intermittent wipers, a CD player and MP3 jack, tilt steering, front and rear cupholders, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and heated mirrors. The hatchback supposedly seats five, but realistically fits four. A 6-CD player is available, and you can pay extra for a sunroof and remote start option.