2005 Kia Spectra/Cerato

libertycat

Does anyone know anything about the next Spectra? It was supposed to come out for 2004, but that's not going to happen. 2005 is probably the earliest model year possible. I hope this has great quality, available leather, a compliment wagon (like the current Spectra GS and GSX, which really are wagons, as there is no such thing as a four-door hatchback) and lots of standard features

a_l_hubcaps

I haven't heard anything about it, but Kia does need to get something fresh out there. The Spectra (which is really a reworked Sephia, as far as I know) is the last remnant of the old Kia, now that the Sportage is gone. They need a new compact sedan, preferably sharing some stuff with the Elantra, which is a much better car.

-Andrew L

libertycat

and I hate it when these vehicles look the same (alas the GM and DC minivans, Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon/Yukon XL). It's okay when they look different (Dodge Stratus/Chrysler Sebring, Mercury Mountaineer/Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy/XL/Buick Rainier/Isuzu Ascender/Chevy TrailBlazer/EXT/Oldsmobile Bravada). At least the Spectra has MUCH prettier styling than the Sephia.

smulvey

Our Spectra looks great after a year in the bad climate of Western NY. After a wash and wax and a little detailing it still has that great broght red paint.

I have noticed some chips and so I am off to the dealer for some touchup paint.

We had a price for a blue Civic of $ 17,000 with no discounst offered. We bought the red Kia for $ 12,000 net. That was a year ago. Now Honda is discounting heavily.

libertycat

Civic. There has got to be a picture of the Civic in the dictionary by bland.

csandste

That doesn't mean that it's a better car, however. The Elantra is a much newer and better platform. If the new Spectra is launched the same time the Elantra is revised it won't be until the 06 model year. The Optima had some mid-life platform mods a year ahead of the Sonata so Hyundai may push the Kia up by a year, but I doubt it. By 06 the Spectra will be old indeed.

libertycat

and THAT isn't going to happen, so I imagine 2005 model year makes sense.

uga91

I was also under the impression the next SPectra would be Elantra based.

csandste

It will be...so will the new Kia Sportage successor. The SUV might get a one year jump on the market.

wsag26

So it looks like the 2005 Spectra will come out sooner than planned. I never intend to buy a Kia/Hyundai/Daewoo, etc. but Kia is starting to really impress me. The Amanti looks like a mini-Jag out on the road. We'll have to see what happens.
The Spectra, I heard, is based on the Elantra platform, like the next-gen Sportage will be. Hope the new Spectra, as well as the Sephia, and Sportage will be the best anticipated Kia's in the world!

uga91

Will it be the Elantra based car we've been waiting for or simply the same car in different skin? Or, is this new Spectra shown in the future section a 2005 that will debut in 2004?

pzev

http://www.kia.co.kr/motorshow/2003/image/cars/cerato_galleryimg_- 01.gif

http://www.kia.co.kr/motorshow/2003/image/cars/cerato_galleryimg_- 02.gif

http://www.kia.co.kr/motorshow/2003/image/cars/cerato_galleryimg_- 03.gif

http://www.kia.co.kr/motorshow/2003/image/cars/cerato_galleryimg_- 04.gif

pzev

http://www.kiamotors.com/UVehiclesNewsWeb/KmceVn01_VehiclesNewsRe- ad.aspx?Idx=196

pzev

As you can see by reading the link, production begins in Korea in mid-October. So basically pictures of the entire car and interior pictures should be out soon.

I'm considering an Elantra as my next car, but the Spectra should be using the Elantra platform and engine right? If that's the case then it basically comes down to which exterior and interior styling suits the person seeing as they'll be almost exactly the same car.

iluvmysephia1

"Kia Online Tennis" and I didn't even notice this information about the Cerato. As a former owner of a 1999 Kia Sephia and a present owner of a 2001 Kia Sportage 4x4 I continue to follow Kia and Hyundai both with amazement. I think they're both the best thing going in new car availabilities-the Long Haul doesn't dampen my enthusiasm either. This new Cerato will offer a 1.6L and 2.0L engine with CVVT for better fuel economy and lower emissions. What I could see of the car's body lines looked good. That one view from just above the hood up at an angle from the front looked sort of like the new Toyota Corolla FWIW. Oh, I should note, the Cerato will still be called Spectra in the North American market. Also there was a mention of a diesel engine available at introduction of this model as an option. This is a first-Kia's first ever car produced that offers a diesel engine as an available option. Very shagadelic! Hey, keep the information coming in---this thread has been dead for way too long. Happy motoring!

pzev

http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/40084.jpg

http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/40085.jpg

http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/40087.jpg

http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/40088.jpg

pzev

How are your Kias holding up? I was reading a thread about Elantra insurance and it seems to have higher than average insurance rates so that worries me a bit. Do Kias and Hyundais have high insurance rates compared to other cars in the same class?

I still can't decide if I like this new Spectra or not. The interior looks pretty good and the exterior is ok, but it doesn't wow me as much as my first choice which is the Mazda3. Of course the Mazda3 will probably be significantly more expensive and not have as good a warranty either.

The one thing I would like to see the Spectra and Elantra have is better crash test scores. I think the airbag deployed late during the Elantra test so that hurt its scores, but it's still a bit below the competition right? Also I wish they would find a way to improve their fuel mileage a little. I don't think the VVT engine in the Elantra helped fuel mileage any, or very little. I don't have the exact figures though so not entirely sure.

pzev

I just noticed on the spy pictures that the exterior door handles are body-colored but on the official teaser pictures the door handles are chrome. That means the interior may end up having chrome interior door handles and a little more chrome on the shifter or emergency brake. Not a big deal but I like having a little chrome in the interior, makes it look a bit more upscale in my opinion.

iluvmysephia1

Elantra and they're actually pretty good. Good for passenger and driver for side impact. The Kia car bodies are a little heavier so that hurts fuel economy a little bit but not too much. The car looks good to me. As far as insurance goes I just called around and found lower insurance rates for my Sportage with the "Good Hands" people. REALLY good rates. Check around when renewing for your best rate.

pzev

Yeah I definetly won't rule out Hyundai/Kia until I check insurance rates before buying. I'm hoping to find 3 or 4 cars that I like then I'll check insurance rates on each one.

iluvmysephia1

Yeah, I was reading government crash test reports and both Spectra and Elantra scored very well on those. The ones that stood out as best from recall were the driver and passenger side impact crash test results. Neither car should cause your car insurance rates to go up at all-the're economy cars that have small engines.

jchan2

The back end reminds me of the new Prius. Not a bad thing... The interior reminds me of my own Civic in the garage- not bad either. It all comes down to price, feature content, and warranty....

csandste

was a carryover from the previous (pre-01) platform, especially the early years before the mid-point redesign. Those cars had very fragile sheet metal.

jchan2

fragile sheetmetal in 1st gen
and
IIHS crash scores.

murley

I just thought that I'd note that the diesel engine is just an euro/asian market feature. The Sorento and Sedona also offer diesels in those markets as well.

chrisducati

That is a shame that we will not get the diesel here. My friend has a Jetta diesel and gets over 50 miles to a gallon. His car is quiet and smooth. The problem with VW is that they cost so much. Give me a new Kia with fifty miles to the gallon and I would be truly happy. Oh... and I think the name should be changed from spectra... I don't like the idea of driving a Speck. Sophia was a better name or just about anything else.

iluvmysephia1

I like the name Sephia and I still don't understand why the fuss over needing to change it to Spectra. Oh well. I liked the name and I luved my Sephia.

bluewinds

http://www.kia.co.kr/cerato/index.html

iluvmysephia1

on the Hyundai Elantra frame, bluewinds? That is one handsome 4-door sedan. I read where it will be available in a 1.6L and 2.0L. I would expect that the American model would be given the larger 2.0L engine. That is the funnest interactive car micro site I've ever been on. You can turn the car around to all sides and turn on and off the turn signals, headlights and brake lights and taillights, etc. You can also open and shut the doors, hood and trunk! It will also have the CVVT(Continuously Variable Valve Timing)engine. How cool! These guys just keep GETTING BETTER AND BETTER AND BETTER! My early choice for favorite color is the metallic red color they have on there. Well, I'm adding this Cerato(bluewinds-is it going to be called Cerato in America, too?)to my "next new cars list". There's now the new Sportage-replacement and Cerato from Kia and the new Hyundai Tiburon on the list. This is a great looking car-I'll be seekig out info. on it constantly now. I'd want the 5-speed manual tranny for sure.
    bluewinds-thanks, man, for the information. You're a great source for Kia information. Do you also drive a Kia?

chrisducati

IT looks great! Look at all the options like radio volume on the steering wheel, heated seats etc... I hope we get it as is and Kia doesn't dumb it down for the american market. we are waiting for the Hatchback version. We carry to much stuff for a sedan.

Kirstie_H

I've changed the discussion title to reflect the new name!