2008 Kia Spectra Safety Review [ 2009 , 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 26 Spectra reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Kia Spectra does well in government crash tests, but has not been tested by the insurance industry.
Edmunds sums up reviewer consensus: "The Kia Spectra stands out from the pack with a long list of standard safety equipment built into a low price," and The Washington Post observes that, "When properly belted, we all felt reasonably safe in the front-wheel-drive Spectra." The Spectra’s standard safety features are extensive for its price and class.
The 2008 Spectra earned five out of a possible five stars in frontal offset crashes and four out of five stars in side crashes. Its rollover rating is also four out of five stars. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, the Spectra earned an "Acceptable" rating for frontal offset tests, but models manufactured before Sept 2007 received a "Poor" for side impacts; models manufactured after that date receive a "Marginal" rating.
Accident Avoidance
A tire-pressure monitoring system was new for last year's Spectra. SX models can be equipped with an optional anti-lock braking system to provide better control in adverse conditions.
Crash Protection
The Spectra comes standard with dual front, dual side and dual full-length side curtain air bags. "The front-wheel-drive Spectra is among the least costly autos with standard head-protecting side-curtain air bags, besides torso-protecting front-seat side air bags," notes MSN. "Kia knows that safety is a valuable feature of small, relatively inexpensive cars -- partly because some are bought by parents for their children." The Spectra’s supplemental restraint system monitors the force of an impact and whether there’s a front passenger and adjusts air bag inflation accordingly.
Even with this protection, the Washington Post advises caution when driving a car as small as the Spectra: "Air bags help people survive vehicle crashes, but they can’t turn the Spectra SX, or any other vehicle, into an invulnerable fortress. Bigger vehicles still prowl."
