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2008 Kia Spectra Safety Review

November 3, 2008

SAFETY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, front impact protection; four stars, side impact and rollover resistance
NHTSA

Acceptable" frontal offset safety; "marginal" side impact
IIHS

The [Kia] Spectra sports an impressive list of standard safety equipment
Edmunds

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has crash-tested the 2008 Kia Spectra, and it earned five stars for frontal protection and four stars for side-impact protection. The insurance-affiliated Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has rated the sedan "acceptable" in frontal protection and "marginal" in side protection.

Edmunds reports "the Kia Spectra sports an impressive list of standard safety equipment that includes front seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags." Cars.com notes that "antilock brakes are optional," however.

The only comment on visibility came from ConsumerGuide, which states that with the Kia Spectra5 model, "roof styling impedes aft visibility."

Conclusion

The 2008 Kia Spectra has good federal crash-test scores, but insurance-industry scores are lower, and anti-lock brakes are an option on base cars.

SAFETY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, front impact protection; four stars, side impact and rollover resistanceNHTSAAcceptable" frontal offset safety; "marginal" side impactIIHSThe [Kia] Spectra sports an impressive list of standard safety equipmentEdmunds The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has crash-tested the 2008 Kia Spectra, and it earned five stars for frontal protection and four stars for side-impact protection. The insurance-affiliated Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has rated the sedan "acceptable" in frontal protection and "marginal" in side protection. Edmunds reports "the Kia Spectra sports an impressive list of standard safety equipment that includes front seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags." Cars.com notes that "antilock brakes are optional," however. The only comment on visibility came from ConsumerGuide, which states that with the Kia Spectra5 model, "roof styling impedes aft visibility." ConclusionThe 2008 Kia Spectra has good federal crash-test scores, but insurance-industry scores are lower, and anti-lock brakes are an option on base cars. 2008 KIA SPECTRA STYLING | [6 out of 10] Cars.com: "sculpted appearance and...more aggressive look" Detroit News: "It's a nice looking compact hatchback" Kelley Blue Book: "cohesive interior" The 2008 Kia Spectra is a compact sedan--or hatchback, the Spectra5--that has a roomy ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Kia Spectra's low-priced base model and long warranty are especially attractive, but there are better choices. Many of the rival models in this segment have been redesigned more recently than the Spectra's design, which now goes back to 2004. Although the Elantra shares its engine with the 2008 Kia Spectra, its interior is better designed, and the instrument panel and switchgear feel a step better. The Mazda3 is the choice among these cars if a frisky driving sensation is a priority, although the Mazda's cabin can be noisy on coarse surfaces and its backseat is rather cramped. The Corolla is also quite dated and due for a redesign for 2009; it has a ride that's about as soft and compliant as the Spectra's and an interior that seems rather cheap and dull, but it has a long-standing reputation for reliability and durability. The new Ford Focus is perhaps the most attractive alternative; it was thoroughly refreshed in design, inside and out, this year and offers a great ride along with standout features such as the SYNC communications and entertainment interface.

Next Steps:

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See the Kia Spectra in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

Comments (2 total)

  1. By Charlie Bell #1, Posted: 12/8/2008

    KIA SPECTRA GAS TANK PROBLEM

    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.

  2. By willie #2, Posted: 3/1/2009

    specta gas problem

    I had the same problem and the dealership was trying to say it was may fault.Dealers put 2 year inspection stickers on new car so they have to warranty all safty and emission systems. So after fighting with tem over this they admitted that their is a problem with the fuel tank.My dealer has now replced the fuel tank,all vavles in the tank,the lines,gas filler neck, gas cap and vapor canaster. ALL UNDER WARRANTY.

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