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MSRP: 
STYLING | 6 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
sculpted appearance and...more aggressive look
Cars.com
It's a nice looking compact hatchback
Detroit News
cohesive interior
Kelley Blue Book
The 2008 Kia Spectra is a compact sedan--or hatchback, the Spectra5--that has a roomy interior and solid performance at a bargain price.
According to Cars.com, the company promotes the Kia Spectra's "sculpted appearance and the more aggressive look it has over many of its rivals" with "large, angular headlights [that] flank the grille" and "full-length body creases [that] are meant to impart a sense of motion." This, according to Edmunds, is an improvement over previous models: "The current [Kia] Spectra sedan and Spectra5 four-door hatchback counterpart have moved up the scale considerably in terms of style." Kelley Blue Book notes that the 2008 Kia Spectra has "large, jewel-like headlamps that highlight sharply styled sheet metal in a vehicle that in no way resembles Kia's first entry in this country [the Sephia]." The Detroit News sums it up succinctly: "It's a nice looking compact hatchback." The SX models are further distinguished visually by their black mesh grille, fog lights, rear spoiler, and larger 16-inch wheels.
The 2008 Kia Spectra interior sports a very basic design lacking the lustrous materials and cohesive styling that's now par for the course, even among bargain-priced rides. The only Kia Spectra interior decor worth noting, according to Cars.com, is the SX’s "perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, aluminum pedals and metal-finish trim"--all of which is optional. The Detroit News says the 2008 Kia Optima's interior is "fairly Spartan...interior decor includes metal-finish trim and sport-cloth seats with matching door panel inserts." Kelley Blue Book's main complaint concerns a design flaw: "Aesthetically, the only blemish is an AM/FM/CD player that isn't physically or stylistically well-integrated into the otherwise cohesive interior."
Conclusion
The 2008 Kia Spectra puts less emphasis on sharp styling than even other basic economy cars.
Comments (1 total)
KIA SPECTRA GAS TANK PROBLEM
By Charlie Bell | Posted: Dec 8th 2008, 05:26:30 PM
I have never had this problem with any vehicle, but apparently overfilling a kia spectra gas tank can cause around $450 in non warranty damage. I new overfilling can be a safety issue, but I only overfill ocationally to round to the nearest dollar not to get every last drop in the tank. Kia gives no warning of possible mechanical damage, so beware.
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