Kia's safety legacy began in 2002 when the Sedona became the company's first vehicle to receive a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Sedona was one of just four minivans to be awarded five-star ratings in both frontal and side impact crash tests for the 2003 model year. Meanwhile, the Sorento was one of only three new SUV's in 2003 to be awarded the federal government's highest safety rating of five-stars in side impact crash tests administered by NHTSA.

Following on the heels of the strong safety ratings garnered by Sedona and Sorento, last year Kia launched the Amanti premium sedan with an unprecedented level of safety for a vehicle in its class, featuring eight supplemental restraints, including full-length side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, anti-pinch windows and active front headrests.

Today, Kia is preparing to launch the next-generation Spectra and Spectra5, vehicles that will further support Kia's growing reputation as a company that places an emphasis on safety in all aspects of its product design.

Available as a four-door sedan in two trim levels, LX and EX, and the Spectra5 hatchback, the all-new Spectra was completely redesigned from the ground up and comes equipped with a list of standard and available safety features that will make it stand out from the crowd in a hotly competitive compact-car market.

"The new Spectra sedan and hatchback will exceed expectations with their high levels of quality and class-leading array of safety features not traditionally found in the compact segment," said Peter M. Butterfield, president and chief executive officer, Kia Motors America. "Using safety as an accelerator, Kia's goal over the next few years is to become the first manufacturer to offer side curtain airbags as standard equipment on all of our models and we are making huge strides toward that objective."

The all-new Spectra offers six standard airbags, including full-length side curtain airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, and dual advanced front airbags. The Spectra sedan will be the lowest-priced vehicle in its segment with standard full-length side curtain air bags, as well as the lowest priced car in the U.S. to offer this feature as standard equipment.

To ensure that the front air bags are deployed properly, sensors controlling the front supplemental restraints determine whether the seat belt is buckled and gauge the severity of a frontal impact before deployment. An additional occupant sensor for the front passenger seat measures factors such as seat position and passenger weight for the safe airbag operation.

Each new Spectra comes equipped with standard four-wheel disc brakes – a rarity in this class. The 2004 Spectra can be equipped with anti-lock brakes as optional equipment on the EX trim level and the Spectra5 five-door
Other safety features include: front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, 3-point seatbelts for all five seating positions, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) and child safety door latches.

Kia is committed to offering consumers the highest levels of safety and value in each of its products, and plans to continue designing and manufacturing vehicles that will support that ideal. New products, including the all-new Spectras, will continue to deliver high safety ratings, helping Kia close the perception gap between today's product and yesterday's image, differentiate from the competition and continue to grow in sales volume and brand recognition.

The Spectra sedan and Spectra5 are built in Hwasung, South Korea. While the four-door can be seen in showrooms now, the Spectra5 five-door model will be available later this summer. The all-new Spectra compact sedan has a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $12,620.

Kia Motors America, the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea, offers a full line-up of vehicles, including: Rio subcompact sedan and Rio Cinco wagon; 4-door and 5-door Spectra compact sedans; Optima midsize sedan; Sorento midsize SUV; Sedona minivan; and Amanti large premium sedan.