Segment: Medium
Production years: 2007, 2008, 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.
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L CVVT 4AT (143 HP) | |
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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 | |
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Top Speed: | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Vented Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | P195/60 R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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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 | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2703 lbs (1226 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3946 lbs (1790 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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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 |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L CVVT 5MT (143 HP) | |
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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 | |
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Top Speed: | 129 mph (208 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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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 | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2690 lbs (1220 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3902 lbs (1770 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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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 |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L CRDi 5MT (115 HP) | |
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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 | |
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Top Speed: | 116 mph (187 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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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 | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2765 lbs (1254 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4001 lbs (1815 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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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 |