The Kia Spectra offers respectable performance from its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It's a modern engine with continuously variable valve timing, and its power output is strong for the class. Acceleration is good, better with the manual than with the automatic, of course, but the automatic offers more than adequate power even for high-speed, long-distance cruising.

Downshifts with the automatic transmission could be smoother. Also, we found it too easy to select third gear instead of Drive when shifting out of Park or Reverse, not that unusual but something to watch.

Fuel economy, according to the latest EPA figures, is slightly better with the automatic transmission, at 24/32 mpg city/highway. Manual models are rated 23/30 mpg.

The Spectra is an economy car with a four-cylinder engine, so occupants are going to hear engine buzz under hard acceleration in the lower gears (with both the manual and automatic transmissions). Only while cruising in the top gears do things truly quiet down. For the most part, wind noise is minimal except for an occasional low moan from the front passenger's side window in strong, left-to-right crosswinds.

Ride quality is solid, not too firm. We found a daylong 400-mile drive wasn't unusually tiring.

Handling and steering are good in the LX and EX, considering the car's height and its tallish tires. The alloy wheels that are optional on EX are no different in their dimensions from the standard steel wheels, so they deliver more in looks than performance. When pushed, the car eases into understeer (plowing), which is common for front-wheel-drive economy cars. We found the brake pedal a bit mushy, but not enough to cause concern.

The Spectra5 and the sporty SX sedan come with a strut-tower brace to stiffen the unit-body, and heavier-duty springs and shocks biased more for handling and less for ride comfort. Their P205/50R16 tires (compared with P195/60R15 tires for the LX and EX) should sharpen steering response and pump up cornering power.

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