IN modern world, where there is a huge selection of brands and types of cars, it is very difficult to give preference to any particular type. The first thing car owners pay attention to is time-tested quality and reliability. Kia Spectra is a worthy Korean representative that did not disappoint its owners.

Production began in Korea from 2002 to 2004, and then the Spectra was produced in Russia until 2009. In 2011 The last small batch of Spectra was released. Depending on the region of sale, there are different names, such as Shuma 2, Sephia 2 and Mentor 2.

The Spectra has two body types: a 5-door hatchback and a sedan.

Models produced in Russia had the following configurations:

1. "ON" basic filling, manual transmission gear shift.
2. "NV" combines the set “NA” plus 4 power windows, electric mirror adjustment, vertical steering wheel adjustment, velor seats, two airbags, seat belts, power steering, central locking, two speakers in front and two in the rear shelf.
3. "NOT" combines the “HB” set plus ABS.
4. "NS" was produced with automatic transmission, included the “NOT” kit and air conditioning was added.
5. "HD" includes the “NS” set, and also includes a leather interior and an electric sunroof, fog lights, alloy wheels, heated seats.

It is worth noting that the interior plastic is quite pleasant and soft to the touch, which is so often lacking in cars at times more expensive than Kia. Over time, there may be areas that squeak, but usually when driving, everything is quite quiet and calm.

In terms of dimensions, the machine belongs to From class. The length is 4,510 m, width is 1,720 m, height is 1,415 m, ground clearance is 15.4 cm (which is a rather low ground clearance). Wheelbase is 2,560 m, and the weight is very small - 1,170 kg.

On the technical side, the 4-cylinder engine, which is not particularly outstanding, does not cause any complaints in its performance even after 300,000 km. and will not bother its owner further if the filter, oil and belt are replaced in accordance with the regulations.

The engines were also designed for a specific market. Was in America two-liter engine 138 hp In Europe there were models 1.6 (101 hp), 1.8 (116 hp and 125 hp), 1.5 (88 and 108 hp). All engines are gasoline, the recommended fuel is AI-95, but it also runs great on AI-92. Tank capacity 50 l. The downside is relatively high consumption fuel, if we take the 1.6 liter engine as an example.

Consumption in the city from 11 to 13 liters of fuel per 100 km. Also, when bringing the car to 3000 rpm, the sound insulation does not cope and the sound of the engine is very clearly audible. To bring the engine to 3000 rpm, it is enough to drive 100 km/h in 5th gear and the noise penetrating into the cabin will cause minimal discomfort.

Two types of gearboxes were installed in Spetra. A five-speed manual transmission, which has proven itself to be very good, causing almost no inconvenience to its owners. But the four-speed automatic transmission (automatic transmission4) can be capricious, producing errors from the sensors, frightening with a metallic rustle or missing gears, slipping. This problem is very noticeable in cars produced after 2007. Owners of older automatic transmission models, as well as owners of manual transmissions who carefully operate the car, are unlikely to encounter this problem.

The Kia Spectra body is covered with an anti-corrosion, zinc-containing protective layer and, with proper care, does not cause any particular inconvenience to its owners, does not lose its appearance and can be called very durable and of high quality. There are also problematic examples that have been in an accident, bumped into curbs, or have deformed sills covered with corrosion, but for the most part, the owners, not the manufacturer, are responsible for this. Partially paint coating, on the front of the car, small chips may appear due to the impact of stones at speed, fortunately this does not entail the subsequent formation of rust.

In terms of handling, it's very nice car. Dynamic, with power steering, good road holding both in the city and on the highway.

Front lever-spring, independent and multi-link rear suspension, gently and adequately copes with unevenness on the road, falling into potholes and passing sleeping policemen does not bring discomfort to the driver and passengers. Service life consumables on the suspension, primarily depends on the driving style of the person behind the wheel and the number of potholes collected along the road. Basically, the suspension is unpretentious, very easy to maintain and has a low price tag. So owners don’t have any problems with it.

Safety

It can't be said that Kia Spectra is benchmark for safety. Equipped with only two airbags, for the driver and passenger sitting on the front seat, does not create the most better protection. Options with more rich in equipment, have six airbags, as well as special inflatable curtains over the windows. Crash tests for frontal and side impacts show good statistics.

There are five belts, as well as the number of possible seats. At emergency braking, ABS comes to the aid of the driver, and enhanced braking distances help to reduce brake pads, evenly distributing the load.

Advantages and disadvantages of the car

To summarize, we can highlight several positive and negative points.

The advantages can be listed as follows:

• Low cost per secondary market.
• High reliability of all vehicle components, including manual transmission and body.
• Simplicity and low cost of maintenance.
• Soft suspension.
• Nice controls.
• High-quality and pleasant to the touch plastic.
• Full electrical package.
• Spacious interior and trunk.
• Very safe car, if we are not talking about the basic configuration.

Flaws:

• Poor sound insulation.
• Low ground clearance.

• Consumption within the city is 11-13 liters/100 km, with a volume of 1.6 liters.
• Unreliability of automatic transmissions of models after 2007.
• Gradually outdated design.
• The most common 1.6l is 101l/s. Transport tax become larger due to 1l/s.

Although the car is not famous for its rich equipment, it will surprise you at first with its hidden “tricks”, such as turning off the heating rear window(to avoid overheating), different niches for small things, a large trunk, which will fit more and more each time. If before this you drove an old BMW, then you will finally be able to forget the faces of those guys from the car service center whom your wife saw more often.

Spectra really does not require any special investments; repairs can be carried out using regular sets of keys, without special ones. tools, so if you really want to, you can change the consumables yourself, everything is humanly accessible. Spectra is good, because it was not just that it existed and competed on the market for more than 10 years.

One of the first “our brands” – Kia Spectra – car foreign brand, which was collected on the territory of the Russian Federation from 2004 to 2011 and was “prophesied” to become “another nail in the coffin” domestic auto industry... But this is all lyrics, and the important thing is that Russian car enthusiasts got the opportunity, in the person of this three-volume vehicle, to buy for reasonable money “ new foreign car" For the consumer, in the end, it’s not “marketing wars” that are important, and it’s also impossible to endlessly refer to “patriotism” - the main thing is that it runs, doesn’t break down and is inexpensive.

Russians have known this four-door only since 2004, but its history began much earlier - in 1992. South Korea a model called Sephia debuted, which went through several updates during its “life cycle”, and in 2000 it was renamed “Spectrum”. In its homeland, the car was produced until 2004, at which time its production was established at the Izhevsk Automobile Plant (until 2011, the company assembled over 104 thousand of these sedans).

From the outside, the Kia Spectra does not make a strong impression - there is nothing to catch the eye in the car’s appearance, and its design sends directly back to the 90s of the last century. But at the same time, the sedan looks neat and very harmonious, and you can’t call it scary at all - a “friendly” front with neat lighting equipment and a nice bumper, a classic three-volume silhouette with a long hood and a noticeable “shoot” of the trunk, a nice rear with dashing lights and a “plump” » bumper.

The dimensions of the “Spectra” fully meet the concepts of the “golf” class in terms of European classification: 4510 mm long, 1415 mm high and 1720 mm wide. Frontal and rear axle in the four-door, they are spaced apart by 2560 mm, and its “belly” is separated from the roadway by a ground clearance of 154 mm.

IN Kia interior There are also no design delights to be found in the Spectra - a simple and boring environment reigns inside, which is slightly “enlivened” by well-thought-out ergonomics. An archaic but informative instrument panel, a simple four-spoke steering wheel and an inconspicuous center console with asymmetrical ventilation deflectors, a digital clock and three “knobs” for the climate system - everything is primitive, but reliable and functional. The car's interior is made exclusively of budget materials - hard plastics and ordinary fabric.

The main advantage of the Spectra cabin is a substantial supply of free space on each row of seats. The front seats offer riders an acceptable profile with unobtrusive lateral support and wide adjustment intervals, while the rear sofa has a very good configuration and soft filling.

The luggage compartment of the Kia Spectra is not impressive in its scope - in its standard form its volume is 440 liters, and with the rear seats folded in a 2:3 ratio it increases to 1125 liters. And he has obvious problems with his form: wheel arches they protrude noticeably inside, and the opening is narrowed by slanting lanterns. In the underground niche there is a full-size spare wheel and the necessary tools.

Technical specifications.“Spectra” is available with three petrol four-cylinder “aspirated” engines, equipped with a 16-valve DOHC timing belt and multi-point fuel supply technology:

• The basic version is a 1.6-liter (1591 cubic centimeter) unit with a capacity of 101 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm.
• “Intermediate” versions “flaunt” a 1.8-liter engine (1793 cubic centimeters), producing 126 “stallions” at 6000 rpm and 162 Nm of maximum potential at 4900 rpm.
• “Older” modifications are equipped with a 2.0-liter (1998 cubic centimeters) engine, generating 140 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 181 Nm of available thrust at 4000 rpm.

All “fours” send full power to the wheels of the front axle using a 5-speed “manual” gearbox or a 4-speed “automatic”. Depending on the version, from standstill to the first “hundred” the car “breaks down” after 9.7-16 seconds, reaches a maximum speed of 175-203 km/h and “destroys” from 7.1 to 9.8 liters of fuel for every 100 km.

At its core, the Kia Spectra uses a front-wheel drive “trolley” borrowed from the Mazda Familia, with a transversely mounted power unit. All wheels of the car are suspended by independent suspensions: front applied shock absorber struts McPherson, and at the rear is a multi-link architecture (in each case with steel springs and anti-roll bars).
The front axle of the three-volume vehicle uses ventilated “pancakes” of the braking system, and at the rear there are simpler “drums” (on versions with ABS - disc devices). The “Korean” is equipped with a rack-and-pinion steering complex, into which a hydraulic power steering is mounted.

Options and prices. In Russia, Spectra was sold from 2004 to 2011 and was in stable demand. At the end of 2016, on the secondary market of our country, this sedan can be purchased at a price of 120,000 rubles, while the cost of the most “fresh and packaged” modifications exceeds 350,000 rubles.

The list of standard equipment of the car includes: a pair of front airbags, power steering, air conditioning, power windows for four doors, fabric trim, central locking, a standard immobilizer, audio preparation and some other items.

We present to your attention Kia review Spectra. This car model was made on the basis of the Kia Sefiya and replaced it in 2002. It should be immediately noted that they are very different from each other.

The Spectra is a front-wheel drive five-door sedan. The dimensions of this machine are: length - 4510 mm, width - 1720 mm and height - 1415 mm. If you compare her with Sefia, she has become much larger in all respects. The Specter also increased in size ground clearance by 10 mm and the wheelbase has increased significantly.

This car has a slightly elongated nose and four headlights. It can be classified as. The taillights, made in the “a la Jaguar” style and having round sectors and brake lights, have a great effect on a person.

The interior volume of the Spectra is 2.75 m3. It is very spacious and comfortable, with smoothly flowing lines in its interior. It can accommodate four people without any inconvenience or constraint. Everything is done very simply, and there is nothing exclusive. In the interior you can find: velor, plastic gray and all kinds of walnut inserts.

At first, the Spectra was produced in two trim levels: the very simple GS and the well-equipped GSX. The most common one included: fog lights, fabric upholstery, electric mirrors, a radio, mirrors and bumpers painted in the color of the car.

Since 2005, Kia Spectra began to be produced in 3 trim levels

IN basic equipment includes: manual 5-speed, two airbags for the person sitting behind the wheel and the passenger, power steering, steering column with tilt adjustment, central locking and window lift.

Distinctive features of the “third” configuration from the basic one are: the presence of air conditioning.

Since 2006, they began to produce luxury equipment. It included: automatic transmission, air conditioning, heated seats, ABS and a telescopic antenna.

As for safety, manufacturers paid due attention to it. They equipped the car with six airbags, air curtains over the rear and front windows, belts with limiters and load pretensioners.

The power units installed on the Kia Spectra vary depending on the location of sale. In Europe this model represented by engines of 1.6 and 1.8 liters, and a power of 125 hp. s., in America it is a 2-liter engine with 138 hp. With. The Izhevsk assembly of the Spectra is equipped with a 4-cylinder DOHC petrol unit with the following characteristics - 1.6 l/100 l. With.

The front suspension is independent, with McPherson strut. The braking system is represented by drums at the rear and discs at the front. If desired, you can install ABS for an additional fee.

The price of the Kia Spectra ranges around 11.5 thousand dollars, and this is only for the basic configuration. If you want to purchase a Luxury, you will have to shell out at least 14.7 thousand dollars. This cost is not relatively low, so a potential buyer can purchase this vehicle not only on credit, but also in cash.

This car is very popular among car enthusiasts. It combines comfort and style. It has such characteristics as safety, efficiency, spacious salon and speed. A person driving a Kia Spectra feels quite confident and calm.

What is a Kia Spectra?

To get acquainted with appearance and we will carry out technical parameters test drive Kia Spectra.

This car model is not as small as it might seem at first glance. The length of the Spectra is only slightly shorter (10 mm) than the BMW-3

If you look inside the car, there is nothing special here. Everything is very functional and simple. As for the central panel, it is very gloomy and empty. Not all the instruments that need to be used to monitor the operation of the car are located on it. There is a place for a radio, but the radio itself is missing. The instrument panel is made in an outdated style, which is very inconvenient. It has indicators in both miles and km/h, this remains from the American past of this vehicle. A large number of information sensors are located and temperature data where they do not belong. They should be located on the center console.

The interior of the car is made very well, and the plastic fits perfectly. It seems that it belongs here, and that it will not change even after two or three years of operation. But we cannot judge this, as they say “time will tell.”

The upholstery is made of velor with good patterns. The driver's seat is heated. Therefore, the person behind the wheel will feel very comfortable from the first minutes of driving. There is no lift to adjust the seats, but this does not prevent you from feeling quite comfortable. The side bolsters and seats are extremely soft, but thanks to this, a person does not forget to fasten his seat belts. As for the space for passengers in the back, two people can fit here without any problems, but if you add a third to them, they will be very cramped.

Video review of the 2007 Kia Spectra:

Let's pay special attention to the steering wheel. Its shape and finish are awkward, but it does have power steering. The driver, from his seat, has a very good review. Manufacturers also made quality side mirrors.

Kia Spectra performs very well on the road. It copes well with snowdrifts, ice and drifts. It performs well in conditions of poor visibility, namely in heavy fog. This is achieved using front wheel drive, as well as ground clearance of 154 mm.

Regarding technical characteristics Kia Spectra, this is how they are presented Russian version power unit, having a volume of 1.6 liters and a power of 101 liters. With.

The car behaves great on asphalt, but problems arise on snow surfaces. It happens that it is very difficult to move away in first gear without slipping. You can feel the speed on the Spectra, as it accelerates to 100 km/h in 11.6 seconds. The engine power allows you to reach speeds of up to 186 km/h. At the same time, the buzzing in the cabin is almost inaudible. Fuel consumption is within 10 liters per 100 km.

The pendants of this model do their job quite well. Of course, it is far from being comparable to the suspensions of Audi and BMW. But they performed well when driving on the highway and on uneven roads, as well as when crossing curbs.

Technical Kia characteristics Spectra

Car make:	Kia Spectra
Country of origin:	Russia
Body type:	sedan
Number of seats:	4
Number of doors:	5
Engine capacity, cubic meters cm:	1594
Power, l. s./about. min:	101/5500
Maximum speed, km/h:	186
Acceleration to 100 km/h, s:	11.6
Drive type:	front
Checkpoint:	5 manual transmission; 4 automatic transmission
Fuel type:	gasoline AI-95
Consumption per 100 km:	city ​​8.2; track 6.2
Length, mm:	4510
Width, mm:	1720
Height, mm:	1415
Ground clearance, mm:	154
Tire size:	185/65R14
Curb weight, kg:	1095
Total weight, kg:	1600
Fuel tank volume:	50

After a test drive, you can highlight the pros and cons of this model.

Pros of Kia Spectra:

• cozy salon;
• spacious trunk;
• powerful motor;
• good sound insulation;
• excellent visibility;
• the suspension works at the proper level.

Cons of the Kia Spectra:

• inconvenient placement of icons on the instrument panel;
• there are comments on the smoothness of the ride;
• there is little space for passengers sitting in the back.

Video review of the Russian-made Kia Spectra:

Let's sum it up

Having analyzed Kia car Spectra, we present to your attention a brief summary of this model.

This car replaced the Kia Sefiya. The interior of the car is quite comfortable and cozy. Regarding technical parameters, then they are represented by a powerful 1.6-liter engine, from which you can squeeze out 101 hp. With. There are ones that perform well when overcoming irregularities.

The Spectra is a pretty good vehicle and is perfect for our car enthusiasts. It is adapted for Russian roads, as well as harsh and cold winters.

Kia Spectra appeared back in 1997. At that time, the sedan was called Kia Sephia and was built on a redesigned Mazda 323 platform. In addition to the South Korean market, the car was offered in Europe (Shuma), America, Asia, Australia (Mentor) and the Middle East (Spectra).

In 2000, the sedan was restyled, and the Sephia emblem was replaced by the Spectra inscription. In Europe and Australia the name remains the same. Production of the model was stopped in 2004, but in Russia its life was just beginning. Industrial assembly in Izhevsk started in 2004 and ended in 2010. In the summer of 2011, as part of its obligations to Kia Motors, a limited batch of 1,700 units rolled off the IzhAvto assembly line.

Let's take a look inside. Kia interior Spectra does not make a pleasant impression. The interior is decorated with cheap, rough and hard plastic in gray shades. The advantages include comfortable, wide chairs with a long cushion, allowing you to travel long distances comfortably. You can’t blame the sedan for the rear sofa either. And the 440-liter trunk is quite enough for everyday needs.

Most copies have rather poor equipment. IN standard equipment included an airbag, immobilizer and audio preparation. Power steering, central locking, electric windows, ABS, front passenger airbag and air conditioning required additional payment.

The car did not take part in EuroNCAP crash tests, but the Americans from the IIHS National Safety Institute took care of this in 1999. Of the four possible gradations, the sedan earned the lowest “Poor” - a poor level of safety. The driver received injuries to his neck and head that were incompatible with life.

Engines

The Korean was equipped with atmospheric gasoline engines with a capacity of 1.5, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 l. Hinting at the time of debut, the Spectra engines have acquired “Millennium Technology”, as eloquently indicated by the inscription on the cover “Mi-Tech”. All units are the result of modernization of Mazda engines. They have a timing belt drive.

The most widespread is the 16-valve 1.6-liter S6D engine. This is nothing more than a modified Mazda B6 engine. Korean engineers have reduced its warm-up time and installed a highly efficient catalyst. The valves are equipped with hydraulic pushers, the block is cast from cast iron, and the head is made from aluminum.

Among the disadvantages are the noisy operation of hydraulic compensators and short service life high voltage wires, spark plugs and ignition coils - about 50-100 thousand km. After 150-200 thousand km, the starter and generator will require repair.

In addition, engine malfunctions may occur due to sensor failure mass flow air. Mass air flow sensor appeared in 2008. Before it, a more reliable MAP sensor was used (measures pressure).

Many owners of Izhevsk Spectra “fell into the capital” of the engine, having driven only 45,000 km. During assembly, a timing belt of too poor quality was installed. It broke off and the valves “met” with the pistons. Today, many mechanics, in the old fashioned way, recommend not to tempt fate and change the timing belt every 40,000 km.

After 100-150 thousand km, sometimes the valve cover gasket begins to poison the oil. Oil also appears in spark plug wells. If antifreeze is found there, or the head gasket is leaking, then most likely the cylinder head has burst and will have to be replaced. The defect occurs as a result of overheating. The cost of a new head is about 30,000 rubles.

Transmission

The Kia Spectra was equipped with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. Both boxes have their drawbacks.

Mechanics often require a rebuild at 150-200 thousand km. In addition to the leakage of the input shaft oil seal, a howling or humming noise increases over time. However, the howl is on the first and reverse gears- a common thing, and some owners drive 250-300 thousand km without repairs. For the bulkhead you will need about 20,000 rubles.

Spectra has been used several times in its history. automatic boxes transmission The F-4EAT and F4A-EL are a joint development between Mazda and Jatco. It was installed only with a 1.8 liter engine. In addition, A4AF3, F4A42 and A4CF2 gearboxes developed by Mitsubishi were used. The first two could be combined with engines with a capacity of 1.5 and 1.8 liters. But the latter only went to Russian-assembled sedans.

It is generally accepted that reliable Spectra machines ended in 2007. According to some sources, it was then that the boxes began to be assembled in China. They suffer from premature wear clutches and solenoids. You should prepare for repairs closer to 100,000 km, which will require at least 30,000 rubles.

Characteristic symptoms: shocks when switching from 1st to 2nd and over-throttle/slippage when switching from 2nd to 3rd. If you delay repairs, then after a while a crunching sound appears when starting and when stopping.

It is necessary to regularly monitor the condition of the CV joint boots. They either fall off due to flimsy clamps, or break from old age already at 100,000 km. As a result, dust and dirt damage the CV joint, which is replaced as an assembly with the drive.

Chassis

Ball joints run more than 60-100 thousand km. The silent blocks of the levers delaminate after 100-150 thousand km. Shock absorbers last the same amount of time. By this time, factory springs may sag or burst, especially for those who use intercoil spacers.

After 100,000 km it may leak or rattle steering rack. The cost of a new rail is from 16,000 rubles.

Closer to 100,000 km, the ABS unit often fails. It's all about the electric motor. Moisture gets inside, which leads to bearing corrosion and oxidation of the rotor winding contacts. The unit can be easily repaired. After 2009, they began to use a modernized block with improved protection against moisture.

Body and interior

The paintwork is not highly wear-resistant. The hood and bumper quickly become chipped. Body iron is not prone to corrosion. Pockets of rust, as a rule, appear in areas of poor-quality body repair.

Water in the cabin may be caused by clogged drains under the outer plastic trim at the bottom of the windshield. In addition, water can penetrate into the interior due to clogged drain holes in the rapids. Water in thresholds accelerates the corrosion process.

Minor faults include failure of the fuel level sensor and problems with the stove motor (the motor itself or the mode switch fails). After 150-200 thousand km you should be ready to replace the air conditioning compressor clutch or its bearings.

Market situation

A tired sedan on the move can be purchased for 130,000 rubles. For well maintained cars they are asking for almost 300,000 rubles. Among the offers, more than 90% are cars Russian assembly. It is generally accepted that younger copies released after 2008 are less reliable.

Conclusion

Kia Spectra – typical budget sedan, no different high reliability. However, the cost of repairs against the backdrop of modern technology complex machines cannot but rejoice. All common ailments are well studied and can be easily eliminated. Any garage mechanic can handle the repair. There are no problems with the availability of spare parts. Kia Spectra is an offer for those who want to purchase an inexpensive and easy-to-use sedan.

KIA "Spectra": pros and cons.
In December 2007 I bought new KIA“Spectra” assembled in Izhevsk in the FB2272 configuration (ABS with four disc brakes, air conditioning, PTF, manual transmission). Of course, I am not an expert in the field of automotive engineering, and this material, first of all, is the view of a simple user of this product. I hope my observations will serve as food for thought for those who are thinking about buying this model. Moreover, I do not compare Spectra with cars of other brands and do not give any advice, decide for yourself - only “naked” facts.
Body. Trunk. Salon.
You can argue for a long time and unsuccessfully about whether the design of a car is outdated or not - this is a matter of taste habits and preferences, after all, it is much more important that the body conscientiously fulfills its aerodynamic functions and is easy to use. The Spectra body copes with these responsibilities quite well. There are no special complaints about the aerodynamics, but at speeds above 140 km/h the car begins to lift off the ground somewhat and, if the road is uneven, the control becomes a little nervous on the waves of asphalt. Exterior mirrors whistle loudly in crosswinds and at high speeds (160-170 km/h). You get used to the dimensions very quickly, and informative mirrors and bumpers that extend moderately beyond the body help with this. With a considerable length for a city car parallel parking does not cause any particular difficulties. But, however, I would like to note such a feature of the car as the permanently dirty side windows of the front doors in wet weather, and dirt from windshield focuses precisely in the viewing area of ​​the side mirrors, and water from the driver’s “windshield wiper” falls on the left side window.
At first glance, the trunk of the Spectra is only pleasing: it is spacious, has a good loading opening, is equipped with mounting hooks and independent lighting, and the rear seat backrest folds two to three. When it comes to loading, two main disadvantages emerge that significantly spoil the impression of the trunk volume figures. Yes, the seats can be folded separately, but access to the interior is blocked by a bulkhead that serves as a torsional reinforcement for the body, and the hole in it is very small. The second disadvantage is the trunk lid hinges, which have a very large reach. Because of this, a lot of usable space is lost, however, this drawback is inherent in most other cars. The question may arise, to what extent do these disadvantages objectively interfere? Judge for yourself: no matter how big the trunk is, four standard wheels cannot fit in it! However, you don’t carry them with you every day.
The car's interior is not stunning in size, but is quite comfortable. There is enough space in front and behind so as not to feel cramped. Getting in and out of rear passengers is difficult due to the wide cushion rear seat, but this minus is compensated by the comfortable position of the passenger in the seat itself, which, you see, is more important on the road. Despite the boringness repeatedly emphasized by journalists, the finishing is quite good. The plastic does not look cheap, the joints fit well. Velor is non-staining and easy to clean. In general, although the interior looks “boring”, it is nevertheless quite bright and pleasant to look at. A good impression is smeared only by something not very convenient driver's seat and creaks of the ceiling trim. But, if you can still fight with the latter, then as for the driver’s seat, you will have to put up with the inconvenience, although I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that my back felt pretty good during the trip from St. Petersburg to Crimea and back. The armrest probably costs a lot of money, so instead of it there is a gaping “tank for small items” between the front seats. The glove compartment is not equipped with lighting, apparently due to its modest size (although there is a regular place for lighting inside). With interior lighting, everything is five stars. Bright light and smooth turn-off delay are standard for modern cars. There are no special complaints about the interior ventilation, except for the obvious tendency for the driver's side window to fog up. I solved this problem by using an aerosol “anti-fog”. Well, and finally, a small fly in the ointment. The car body does not have towing lugs either front or rear. So, if, God forbid, you get stuck somewhere, pulling the car out without the risk of breaking the bumpers will be very problematic.
Engine. Transmission. Chassis. Brake system.
I will not repeat myself about the technical characteristics and will go straight to the sensations during operation. The engine does not make any noise until the tachometer needle approaches 3000 rpm. Those. You will experience acoustic comfort when accelerating smoothly to a speed of approximately 80 km/h. The pleasure can be extended for some more time if further acceleration is carried out in fifth gear. If you prefer more sharp acceleration with the inclusion of “fifth” at “hundreds”, then the acceleration will be quite loudly commented by the engine. In order for the Spectra to accelerate quickly, it is necessary to constantly keep the engine speed at least 4000 rpm, otherwise the acceleration will be at the level of domestic “basins”. In general, the car very quickly discourages drag racing. This is facilitated by the engine, which is stifled by EURO standards, but for the most part the gearbox is to blame. The transition from first gear to second is especially unsuccessful. The clutch operation is also specific. It is not always possible to clearly catch the moment of clutch. But in a calm, leisurely movement you don’t feel all this. The gears are engaged clearly and effortlessly, the car goes smoothly and... boringly. However, who cares. Smooth running was probably one of the advantages that seduced the American consumer at one time. But what's good for smooth roads, then it’s not entirely suitable for Russians. The notorious smooth ride actually turns into a very noticeable and sharp shaking on the hillocks of our “speedways”. The suspension “swallows” small cracks and holes almost imperceptibly, but it really doesn’t like gentle recesses, driving into them with all its kilograms and abruptly throwing you behind it. In a word - galloping. Another interesting thing: the front shock absorbers rebound very sharply. This is manifested by the fact that when the wheel gets into a hole and this hole is deep enough, or it is not a hole, but a small “road springboard” of which there are plenty on our roads, the shock absorber rod extends completely, and the wheel hits the limiter with all its weight. At the same time, a very unpleasant and strong knock is heard. The most interesting thing is that in this case your speed can be very different from 5 to 200 km/h. - it doesn't matter! The solution is to be attentive to this feature of the car, otherwise you will have to visit the service much earlier than the planned time. There is no noticeable roll when cornering; the car maintains its trajectory quite well. The brakes (all disc, ventilated at the front) are pleasantly pleasing with the presence of ABS, which reacts to blocking with a slight delay, which gives the driver some freedom in control, but always clearly aligns the car on the braking trajectory, not giving a chance to skid. We put brake system a solid four. By the way, buy and install on standard wheels I do not recommend tires of size 195/65R14 indicated in the instruction manual, because it is wider than the disk, and in practice this results in the car yaw.
Resume.
To sum it up, “Spectra” makes an impression that is more positive than nothing. This is quite a worthy example of a budget family car for every day. The efficiency of the engine will not hit the family budget with gasoline bills (although the passport says to fill it with no lower than AI92 - I tried it - it’s still better than AI95), but maintenance is quite expensive.