autoevolution
 

Segment: Medium
Production years: 2007, 2008, 2009

KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan 2007-2009 10 Photos
KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan (2007-2009)KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan (2007-2009)KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan (2007-2009)KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan (2007-2009)KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan (2007-2009)KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan (2007-2009)KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan (2007-2009)KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan (2007-2009)KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan (2007-2009)KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan (2007-2009)

Kia introduced the first generation of the Cerato/Spectra in 2004 on the same platform as the Hyundai Elantra. Just three years later, the Korean carmaker refreshed the lineup.

It was designed mostly as a commuter car, with enough interior room, a decent-sized trunk, and not too many amenities to enhance the driver on long journeys. But, even on the base trim level, it featured air-conditioning, front power windows, and a stereo. For a budget vehicle with good fuel-efficiency, it was an excellent choice.

Since the new-edge design trend was closing to an end, Kia tried to enhance the car's look with softer lines. But it couldn't save the bland look of the vehicle nor the initial lines that defined the car. The headlights featured rounded corners and bigger turn-signals. The car's front bumper was reshaped and featured a wider center grille and two side-scoops. Unlike its predecessor, the grille was chromed. The taillights were redesigned in the rear, and the reversing light's area was installed on the bottom instead of the middle height.

Inside, the Spectra retained the same values that made it a good buy for most of its customers. It didn't enhance the materials used, which proved to be very reliable. Its plastic molded dashboard and center stack were just carried over from the non-facelifted version.

Under the hood, Kia shrunk the engine choice from six to two engines. It kept only the most powerful gasoline engine and, for the European market, the newly developed 1.6-liter turbodiesel unit.

press release
KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan 2007, 2008, 2009
  2 gasoline engines
  • 2.0L CVVT 4AT (143 HP)
  • 2.0L CVVT 5MT (143 HP)
  1 diesel engine
  • 1.6L CRDi 5MT (115 HP)

KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan
2.0L CVVT 4AT (143 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L CVVT 4AT (143 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1975 cm3
Power:105.2 KW @ 6000 RPM
143 HP @ 6000 RPM
141 BHP @ 6000 RPM
Torque:137 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM
186 Nm @ 4500 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:13.2 gallons (50.0 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:124 mph (200 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):10.4 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Vented Discs
Rear:Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:P195/60 R15
DIMENSIONS
Length:177.2 in (4501 mm)
Width:68.3 in (1735 mm)
Height:57.9 in (1471 mm)
Front/rear Track:58.9/58.5 in (1,496/1,486 mm)
Wheelbase:102.8 in (2611 mm)
Ground Clearance:6.3 in (160 mm)
Cargo Volume:12.2 cuFT (345 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.32
Turning circle:33.1 ft (10.1 m)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2703 lbs (1226 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3946 lbs (1790 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:21 mpg US (11.2 L/100Km)
Highway:36.8 mpg US (6.4 L/100Km)
Combined:28.7 mpg US (8.2 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:195 g/km

KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan
2.0L CVVT 5MT (143 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L CVVT 5MT (143 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1975 cm3
Power:105.2 KW @ 6000 RPM
143 HP @ 6000 RPM
141 BHP @ 6000 RPM
Torque:137 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM
186 Nm @ 4500 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:13.2 gallons (50.0 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:129 mph (208 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):9 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Vented Discs
Rear:Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:P195/60 R15
DIMENSIONS
Length:177.2 in (4501 mm)
Width:68.3 in (1735 mm)
Height:57.9 in (1471 mm)
Front/rear Track:58.9/58.5 in (1,496/1,486 mm)
Wheelbase:102.8 in (2611 mm)
Ground Clearance:6.3 in (160 mm)
Cargo Volume:12.2 cuFT (345 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.32
Turning circle:33.1 ft (10.1 m)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2690 lbs (1220 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3902 lbs (1770 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:23.1 mpg US (10.2 L/100Km)
Highway:39.9 mpg US (5.9 L/100Km)
Combined:31.4 mpg US (7.5 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:180 g/km

KIA Cerato / Spectra Sedan
1.6L CRDi 5MT (115 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L CRDi 5MT (115 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1582 cm3
Power:84.6 KW @ 4000 RPM
115 HP @ 4000 RPM
113 BHP @ 4000 RPM
Torque:173 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM
235 Nm @ 2000 RPM
Fuel System:Turbocharged Common Rail
Fuel:Diesel
Fuel capacity:13.2 gallons (50.0 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:116 mph (187 km/h)
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Vented Discs
Rear:Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:P195/60 R15
DIMENSIONS
Length:177.2 in (4501 mm)
Width:68.3 in (1735 mm)
Height:57.9 in (1471 mm)
Front/rear Track:58.9/58.5 in (1,496/1,486 mm)
Wheelbase:102.8 in (2611 mm)
Ground Clearance:6.3 in (160 mm)
Cargo Volume:12.2 cuFT (345 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.32
Turning circle:33.1 ft (10.1 m)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2765 lbs (1254 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:4001 lbs (1815 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:36.2 mpg US (6.5 L/100Km)
Highway:58.8 mpg US (4 L/100Km)
Combined:48 mpg US (4.9 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:129 g/km
  report a mistake on this page