If you’re looking for strong value in a compact package, the 2010 Kia Spectra should be on your shopping list. It represents one of the best values, with an impressive list of safety equipment for its modest price.

The Spectra is a compact four-door sedan that can seat up to five passengers. The 2010 Kia Spectra provides solid performance, comfortable seats, a great warranty, and plenty of storage space.

Kia Spectra Price Quotes

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Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2010 Kia Spectra is available as a sedan or hatchback. The sedan may be had in a choice of three trim levels: LX, EX and SX. The hatchback Spectra5 is only available in the top-of-the-line SX trim.

The base LX is bare bones — most folks will likely go with the EX, which has air-conditioning, cruise control, full power accessories, keyless entry and a CD/MP3 player with an auxiliary audio jack.

The sporty SX adds a sport-tuned suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, bigger tires, foglights, a rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, metal-finish interior accents and cloth sport seats. Major options include a six-CD changer and a sunroof.

Powertrains and Performance

Every Spectra comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 138 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a four-speed automatic transmission available on all models except the LX sedan.

Fuel mileage ratings are 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined for Spectras with the automatic transmission.

Safety

The Spectra comes standard with front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. Antilock brakes are optional for the EX and SX trims only. In government crash tests, the Spectra earned a perfect five out of five stars for front-impact protection and four stars for side-impact protection.

Interior Design and Special Features

The 2010 Kia Spectra offers a simple cabin layout with easy-to-use (and reach) controls and good build and materials quality. The seats are comfortable, and the storage cubbies and cupholders are generous in size. If you need extra space, look at the Spectra5.

It boasts an 18.3-cubic-foot cargo area and considerably more room if you lower the 60/40-split rear seats — maximum cargo capacity is 53 cubic feet.