2009 Kia Spectra

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Safety - What the Auto Press Says

The Spectra does very well in government crash tests, but the 2008 model does not receive the same high scores in insurance industry crash testing.

Crash Tests

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the 2009 Spectra five stars in frontal impact crashes, and four stars in both the driver's and rear passengers' protection in side impact crashes.
• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the 2008 Kia Spectra its second highest rating, "Acceptable," for frontal offset tests, and its second lowest rating, "Marginal" for side impact tests.

Safety Features

The Spectra's standard safety features are extensive for its price and class. Dual front, dual side and dual full-length side curtain air bags are available for all models.

• "The Kia Spectra stands out from the pack with a long list of standard safety equipment built into a low price." -- Edmunds
• "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. Kia knows that safety is a valuable feature of small, relatively inexpensive cars -- partly because some are bought by parents for their children." -- MSN
• Still, the Post advises caution: "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." -- Washington Post