Before attempting to make a career in having people pay me for my thoughts

From the outside, the Spectra5 SX is sporty yet restrained. You wouldn't pick it out as a tuner car. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

on cars, as a youngster I spent many a Saturday morning not watching cartoons, but burying my nose between the pages of European car magazines. It was through these hand-me-downs from aunts and uncles that I gathered an interest for cars that I had never seen before. In dozens, if not hundreds of these beautiful, glossy “rags” I learned about brands that aren't available here. I learned that the French once made passionate if not slightly quirky cars, that Italian cars had soul but massive electrical problems, that Porsches somehow managed to defy the laws of physics, and that all Korean cars were dull, mundane, plasticky and boring, bought only by people who simply did not care about cars, and the elderly. What a way to taint a young mind learning about cars.

There are two very important things that should be noted; firstly, this was more than ten years ago, and second, I was taught by my parents not to take everything I read as the truth. Between then, and getting a driver's license, plenty has changed. I still read car magazines, but Korean cars aren't what they used to be.

Since going on sale back in 2004, the Spectra5 has changed peoples' perceptions of the Kia brand - including my own. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

The Kia Spectra is not a new car. In fact, as far as compact cars go it's getting time for a replacement; it's already been phased out in certain markets. And yet, it plays a fundamentally important part in my story. It is proof, strong as anything else, that Kia is progressing forward at an astonishingly fast rate.

The Spectra is based on the previous generation Hyundai Elantra, but don't let this information colour your opinion before getting behind the wheel. The Spectra is an international car, and was one of the vehicles instrumental in jump-starting Kia's reputation as makers of cars that can match world standards, and for the most part it is a much more convincing vehicle than the previous Spectra. The Spectra's body shell, despite being a hatchback, is much stiffer than the old Elantra, and although the strut and twin-link suspension system is carried over, its tuning is unique.

The steering weight, for one, has a surprising amount of heft to it; it's a conventional hydraulic steering system rather than electrical power assist, which is becoming increasingly common, but it's speed sensitive.

Spectra5 SX is the only five-door Spectra hatchback to be offered with ABS brakes or alloy wheels. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

At low speeds it could do with a bit more assist, but once you're on your way and moving, effort reduces slightly without feeling overassisted or weightless. One giant surprise is how solid this sportier SX feels. On the highway it feels planted, and less prone to crosswinds and passing trucks, not to mention at higher speeds it feels perfectly buttoned down, unflustered by undulations or bumps, a rarity at this price level. Compared to lesser versions, the SX feels secure and holds the road with unexpected levels of grip, resisting understeer better than anticipated - a big step up from the Elantra. Despite the SX's sportier tuned springs, dampers and strut tower brace, the ride is still compliant and comfortable. It's definitely the choice setup of the range.

The SX just happens to be the looker of the Spectra range too. The ordinary looking body has been dressed up with blacked out headlamp bezels, fog lamps and body-coloured trim, plus a hatch-top rear spoiler. It's also the only Spectra to feature alloy wheels as standard equipment. These alterations make it look respectable. Last year's update saw the Spectra gain a new grille, which while more conventional gels better with

The dash is simple; nothing complex or cluttered. The entire dash-top pad is soft-touch plastic. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

the rest of the design.

Sportier the SX may be, but part of the Spectra's charm, and something that is probably going to surprise you are the refinement levels. I don't associate Kia with refinement, or rather I didn't until I drove the midsize Magentis, and found it to be surprisingly devoid of wind and road noise. The Spectra was equally impressive in terms of nose suppression, bettering many newer rivals.

The only engine offered is a 2.0-litre with CVVT (continuous variable valve timing) which makes 138 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque. It's got enough pep to confidently deal with the city and the open road - even with the optional four-speed automatic - and provided you aren't too eager on the throttle, it's quiet too. When you lay into it, things do get noisy over 4,000 rpm, but let's face it, what compact car with a small inline-four doesn't? Unusually, the four-speed automatic is more fuel efficient than the standard five-speed manual, using 8.6 l/100 km in the city and 6.2 l/100 km on the highway. By comparison, models with the

Seats are quite comfortable; SX features a cloth chainmail pattern. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

five-speed manual consume 8.9 l/100 km in the city and 6.5 on the highway.

The interior is fresh in its simplicity, and the materials feel fit to last a lifetime of use without showing wear and tear. The headliner and seat fabrics don't feel cheap either, and as a bit of a surprise the upper dash is completely padded - nice! The SX's sports seats, trimmed in what looks like fabric chain mail, offer a bit more lateral support than the standard buckets, and the cabin is brightened a tad by metal-look trim and metal pedal coverings. Though a telescoping steering column is not offered, eight-way seat adjustability and a truly comfortable headrest make it easy to find a good driving position. One item I'm a bit surprised is missing are heated seats. Yes, they're a bit rare in the compact car segment, but Kia offers them on the Rio and Magentis. I just find it odd that the middle one's been left out.

Another sour note is the stereo system. It has its ups - all Spectras play CDs and MP3s and they all have auxiliary input jacks, not to mention USB

138-hp inline-four is mostly quiet and rather efficient. It's no less an engine than the units found in the Corolla or Civic. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

inputs. The only thing is that it looks like it's straight out of the ‘80s, with a small display and tiny buttons. The micro-USB jack also disappointed; it was incompatible with my iPod Nano. Being the youth-oriented model, the SX also features an upgraded sound system that adds a pair of tweeters and upgraded midrange speakers; the blue-coloured cones are visible through the mesh grates. Unfortunately, sound quality isn't this system's forte, as my music sounded a bit tinny, lacking bass, and it's prone to distortion.

As a small family car, the Spectra is not a bad choice, and scores just as well as a Toyota Matrix or a VW Rabbit. The Spectra's cabin is quite roomy, and in hatchback form it offers more rear headroom than the sedan. Because the Spectra's frame is quite wide, riding three abreast in the back seat is just that bit more comfortable. In addition, the hatchback body style adds the extra factor of practicality, not to mention additional cargo space. Without folding the rear seats down, 518 litres 18.3 cu ft) worth of cargo can be carried on board, versus the 318 (11.2) of the sedan. That swells to just under 1,500 litres (53.0 cu ft) with the seats flat, which is more than you'll find in a Mazda3 Sport.

One area that I would like to see Kia improve on here in Canada is safety equipment. As

The Spectra5 SX feels remarkably solid for such a small car, and performs admirably on the highway. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

it stands, ABS brakes are only offered to buyers who shell out enough for the SX, and the only passive protection comes from dual front airbags; no side or curtain airbags are available. It isn't a matter of Kia needing to redesign the vehicle to accommodate them either, as six airbags are offered as standard equipment in the US. ABS is an option on lesser trim levels in the US too, and a low-cost option at that. It's only in this department that the Spectra looks outclassed, particularly when its key rivals - the Civic and Corolla - feature ABS brakes and six airbags as standard equipment.

But the thing about it is that cars in the compact segment age prematurely compared to vehicles in other segments. When the Spectra came out four years ago it was the one to beat, but parked next to the new Corolla or the now two year old Civic and its age starts to show, but in terms of spaciousness, refinement and comfort, the Spectra is still on top of its game.

The next chapter for the compact-sized Kia has already been written. The Spectra had an unusually short life in Europe, having only been sold for a total of two years. It's been replaced by a vehicle called the cee'd, which has been racking up awards left, right and centre, taking the class standards by storm. While Kia hasn't yet decided whether or not it will sell the European-engineered and European-built cee'd here, it relays a serious message that the next Spectra is aiming high, and Kia has the know-how and the ability to hit bull's eye. Until then, the current Spectra is a strong contender in the compact segment, and shouldn't be overlooked.

Specifications (Kia Spectra5):

• Price range (Spectra5): $15,999 - $22,375
• Price as Tested: $22,375
• Body Type: 5-door hatchback
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Engine: 138 hp, 136 lb-ft of torque, 2.0L, 16-valve DOHC I-4
• Transmission: 4-spd auto (std. 5-spd manual)
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS (std. disc/drum)
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,350 / 1,735 / 1,470 / 2,610 mm (171.3 / 68.3 / 57.9 / 102.8 in)
• Curb Weight: 1,285 - 1,362 kg (2,833 - 3,003 lbs)
• Tires: 205/50 R16 (std. 195/60R15)
• Capacity (trunk/folded): 518 / 1,494 L (18.3 / 52.8 cu-ft)
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 8.6 / 6.2 L/100 km
• Observed Fuel Economy: 8.5 L/100 km
• Warranty (mo/km): 60/100,000 comprehensive
• Competitors: Chevrolet Cobalt, Dodge Caliber, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, Pontiac G5 Pursuit, Saturn Astra, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla / Matrix, Volkswagen Rabbit
• Website: www.kia.ca