An understated rocker panel flares outward beneath the doors, visually pulling the car's body closer to the ground.
04 kia spectra windows#
The beltline beneath the nicely arched side windows grows out of the front fender blister and runs past the rear side window where it draws a distinct line between the car's lower and upper body beneath a softer flowing sail. Clearly defined fender blisters add sportiness to the wheel openings. The added two inches of wheelbase appear to have been dedicated to widening the rear door opening. Embedding the door handles in the groove reduces clutter. Headlight housings taper upward at the outer edges, drawing the eye more naturally into the hood's increased slope.Ī sharp groove etched into the Spectra's side and running from directly over the front wheel well all the way to the hindmost portions of the rear quarter panel accentuates the wedge shape. The EX's fog lights are now round, adding perceived height to the front end. The Spectra's face is more open, with a larger grille and lower air intake, the latter also split by one vertical divider, instead of the busier two of the previous generation. The new 2004 Spectra makes a styling statement, not a busy, fussy one, but one that's clean, with sculpted character lines and interesting surface planes that set the car apart from the look-alike, safe, conservative econo-box class. The LX and EX enjoy impressively comprehensive standard occupant protection features, comprising dual two-stage frontal airbags dual front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side-curtain airbags. Optional on both the LX and the EX are a rear spoiler ($250) and carpeted floor mats ($80). Optional on the EX are anti-lock brakes ($400), alloy wheels ($360), cruise control ($200) and power tilt moonroof ($700). The EX ($13,750) adds air conditioning, power windows, heated power mirrors, power central locking, remote keyless entry, and fog lights. But a tilt steering wheel is standard, as are an AM/FM/CD six-speaker stereo and a six-way adjustable driver's seat. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard, but antilock brakes aren't even an option, nor is cruise control. Auto-off headlights are standard, but outside mirrors are manually adjustable, and windows have hand cranks. The LX ($12,620) comes with a short, but interesting list of comfort and convenience features.
A four-speed automatic is optional ($975). The standard transmission is a five-speed manual. Both are four-door, five-passenger sedans and come with a 138-horsepower four-cylinder engine. Kia offers the all-new 2004 Spectra in two models, the LX and the EX. The competition has some catching up to do. In addition to the mandatory two frontal airbags, front-seat occupants are protected by seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and full-coverage side curtain airbags protect front- and rear-seat occupants.
04 kia spectra full#
No other car in this price range or size class, nor many costing thousands of dollars more and in larger classes, offer the same, full complement of standard airbag supplemental restraints. The trunk is larger.Īll these advances and improvements pale, however, alongside the new 2004 Spectra's occupant safety features.
There's more headroom, more hip room and more rear legroom. Four-wheel disc brakes are now standard, where the previous model had rear drum brakes. The track is wider, which improves handling. The wheelbase is longer, which improves the ride. The engine is more powerful, more fuel efficient and cleaner. Mechanically, the new 2004 Spectra is all-new. It's also priced only a couple of hundred dollars more. The new one is all-new, with sharper styling. The old one is a carryover from the 2003 model year. That the company's dealers have two 2004 Spectra models for sale is the consequence of federal fuel economy regulations, not the car maker's choice.įortunately, it's easy to distinguish the new 2004 Spectra from the old 2004 Spectra.
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