2009 Kia Spectra Features And Pricing

There's much to like about the 2009 Kia Spectra: solid performance, a comfortable and functional cabin, ample cargo space, lots of available features, a great warranty and affordability.

Value is indeed a big plus with the Spectra, priced a couple thousand less than the segment leaders, although many note the surprisingly fiesty performance of the manual transmission as well. In addition, the Spectra5 wagon/hatchback has a bit of a sport-oriented attitude to complement its added storage room.

For the 2009 model year, the Spectra is little changed and received only several equipment changes. Active front headrests and three months of free Sirius Satellite Radio were added as a standard on all models, while cruise control became standard on the EX. An optional sunroof is also new for the EX.

The 2009 Kia Spectra is again offered in sedan or hatchback form. While the hatchback Spectra5 is offered only in the more upscale SX trim, the sedan is available in LX, EX and SX trims.

Standard Features:

Standard features on the base LX model include auto-off headlights, front disc/rear drum brakes, front bucket seats, adjustable steering wheel, intermittent wipers, rear window defogger, a six-speaker AM/FM stereo with CD player, an auxillary power outlet and 15 inch steel wheels.

Standard features added on the popular EX model include full power accessories, air conditioning, keyless entry, cruise control, and a CD/MP3 player with an auxiliary audio jack.

The sporty SX model adds foglights, 16 inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, rear spoiler, metal-finish interior accents, and sport seats (cloth).

Available options include a 6-disc CD changer and a sunroof.

Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:

Powering the '09 Spectra is a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. It's coupled with a standard five-speed manual transmission, with an optional four-speed automatic available on all models except the LX.

EPA gas mileage estimates for an automatic 2009 Spectra are 24 mpg city and 32 mpg on the highway. Manual transmission Spectras are rated at 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Safety:

Standard safety features on all Spectras include front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. Antilock brakes are also available as an option on both the EX and SX models.

The Spectra also performed well in government crash testing, earning a perfect five stars for front-impact protection and four stars for side-impact protection.

Interior:

The cabin of the 2009 Kia Spectra is well designed, with user-friendly controls and solid material and build quality. It's definitely several cuts above competitors such as the Ford Focus and Suzuki SX4, and overall is classier than expected for a vehicle in this price range. Seating is comfortable and there's also ample storage space.

For those needing additional room, the Spectra5 has an 18.3 cubic-foot cargo area, and when the 60/40-split rear seats are lowered, there's 53 cubic feet.

Drive:

The Spectra is a pleasant driving sedan with a surprisingly fiesty four-cylinder engine. For a higher fun-to-drive experience, SX versions have tighter handling and stiffer suspensions.

Update: Weak Economy Leads To Lower Kia Prices:

Car sales have been weak for over a year now due to the poor economy, including Kia's. There was a small bounce during the "Cash For Clunkers" program, but the market quickly returned to its overall slow sales environment.

And once again, the combination of fierce competition and a soft market has created an ideal opportunity for nailing down great deals.

How To Buy A New Kia At The Lowest Price: Before listing MSRP and invoice prices for the 2009 Kia Spectra, here's step-by-step instructions on how to get the best price on a new car, especially given the current slow car market.

Price:

2009 Kia Spectra Sedan:

LX, manual: listed retail price: $13,200, invoice price: $12,630
LX, automatic: listed retail price: $14,200, invoice price: $13,590

EX, manual: listed retail price: $15,200, invoice price: $14,210
EX, automatic: listed retail price: $16,200, invoice price: $15,140

SX, manual: listed retail price: $16,100, invoice price: $15,050
SX, automatic: listed retail price: $17,100, invoice price: $15,980

2009 Kia Spectra5 Wagon (5 Door Hatchback):

Spectra5, manual: listed retail price: $16,345, invoice price: $15,280
Spectra5, automatic: listed retail price: $17,345, invoice price: $16,210

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New 2009 Kia Spectra Features And Prices