Eight years after Hyundai's ship came in, Kia arrived on dock, but all they had to show was someone else's work. Kia had gained license to build the Mazda Protégé and call it the Sephia, their sole offering. Next came the small Sportage SUV which bought some time until they released their own Sephia in 1998. A year later, Kia was swallowed alive by Hyundai, and so ends that tale. Most Kias since then have been based on Hyundais, just as this one is. Kia's kicking off its second decade with the Elantra-based, Spectra.
But buyer beware! When you hear Kia touting the "all-new Spectra," take those words to heart. It turns out that Kia has employed the confusing practice of selling the old Sephia - which got renamed "Spectra" halfway through its lifetime - alongside the new Spectra. Fortunately, distinguishing the two is an easy task. The old sedan and hatchback are found under the trim lines of base, LS, GS, and GSX. The new Spectra mimics Honda with only LX and EX.
The Spectra EX adds air conditioning (optional on LX), power windows and locks, keyless entry, heated mirrors, fog lights, and offers the stand-alone options of cruise control, power moonroof, antilock brakes, and alloy wheels.
Pick either one, though, and it's mostly a reevaluation of the Elantra. Even the prices are similar: a Spectra EX automatic with all aforementioned options, minus the moonroof, comes to $16,225. Two advantages right up front over the Hyundai are 4-wheel disc brakes on both models (instead of one) and side curtain airbags on all. If none of that matters, flip a coin.
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