Kia Spectra

People buy compact economy cars because they're affordable and fuel-efficient, but the secret to building a great econobox is to make it look, feel and drive like a more expensive car than it really is.

The original Kia Spectra hatchback and sedan were unrefined, underpowered and cheaply constructed. They reinforced the cheap-car image Americans held at the time regarding Korean cars. The current Spectra sedan and Spectra5 four-door hatchback counterpart have moved up the scale considerably in terms of style, substance and out-and-out refinement. However, the Spectra is still at the bottom of the crowded economy sedan market. Its upcoming all-new replacement, the Forte, should do a better job of standing out from the crowd.

Current Kia Spectra

The Kia Spectra is a compact car that seats four comfortably and five in a pinch. Both body styles feature a 138-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provides spirited performance around town but feels a little winded during highway passing maneuvers. A standard five-speed manual transmission routes power to the front wheels, and a four-speed automatic is optional.

The sedan is offered in three trim levels -- LX, EX and SX. The Spectra5 hatchback is available in a single SX trim. The LX is bare bones, so most will want the EX, which adds amenities like air-conditioning, a six-speaker CD stereo, full power accessories and keyless entry. The SX model adds upgraded interior and exterior trim, along with firmer suspension tuning and bigger wheels and tires to impart a sportier attitude.

The Kia Spectra's safety features include standard front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and four-wheel disc brakes. Antilock brakes are optional. Further comfort comes in the form of Kia's excellent five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain coverage.

In reviews, we generally praised the Kia Spectra for its lengthy list of standard equipment, user-friendly cabin design, decent build and materials quality, smooth ride and competent handling. Criticisms included the engine's lack of pep at high speeds, disappointing real-world fuel economy, and steering that's a tad sloppy. Another issue for new Spectra buyers to consider is the car's traditionally low resale value.