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Kia Sephia/Spectra

1998-2004 models built before December 2003

MODERATE OVERLAP FRONT TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Poor

Structure/safety cage	Injury measures				Restraints/dummy kinematics
Structure/safety cage	Head/neck	Chest	Leg/foot, left	Leg/foot, right	Restraints/dummy kinematics

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Good Good Acceptable Marginal Poor Poor

Test details:

The Kia Sephia was redesigned for the 1998 model year. The Spectra was introduced for the 2000 model year as a hatchback version of the Sephia. Beginning with 2002 models, the Sephia name was replaced by the Spectra for both sedan and hatchback models.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement wasn't well controlled. During rebound, the dummy moved toward the driver door. Its head went part of the way out the open window and hit the B-pillar. There was too much upward movement of the steering wheel.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the chest indicate low risk of injuries to this body region in a crash of this severity. Forces on the head indicate that injuries to the head would be likely. A high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the B-pillar, indicating that further injuries to the head would be possible. Forces on both tibias indicate that injuries to the lower legs would be possible.

Watch crash test footage for this vehicle on YouTube Tested model year and trim level only; see "Tested vehicle specifications" below

Left to right:

Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test.
The driver's upper interior survival space was maintained reasonably well. However, there was too much upward movement of the steering wheel and too much intrusion into the driver footwell area.
A high head injury measure occurred when the dummy interacted with the airbag, indicating the possibility of injury.
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the B-pillar during the offset test. The head acceleration was high, indicating the possibility of injury.

Additional features:

Antilock brakes (optional)

Tested vehicle specifications:

1999 Kia Sephia 4-door
Class: Small car
Weight: 2,593 lbs.
Side airbags: none
Wheelbase: 101 in.
Length: 174 in.
Width: 67 in.
Engine: 1.8 L 4-cylinder
EPA ratings: 23 mpg city | 31 mpg highway

See all test results for Kia Sephia/Spectra

Last updated: September 2, 2005