2009 Kia Spectra

Tested vehicle: 2005 Kia Spectra EX 4-door
Rating applies to 2005-09 models built after January 2005

The Kia Spectra was redesigned during the 2004 model year. (The old design was produced through November 2003; these cars are also designated as 2004 models.) All 2004 and later Spectra models manufactured after November 2003 are the redesigned cars. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

The Institute evaluated a 2004 Spectra manufactured after November 2003. Forces on the head and neck were high, leading to a marginal head/neck injury rating. This rating, along with acceptable or marginal ratings for the chest and both legs, contributed to a poor overall rating. In response, Kia reduced the size of the driver airbag vent holes to lessen the injury forces occurring on the head and neck. Cars manufactured after January 2005 are equipped with the new airbag design.

The evaluation of the Spectra below is based on the test of a 2005 model built before January 2005 but retrofitted prior to the test with the redesigned airbag. However, because no structural changes were made, the structure rating is based on tests of both the 2005 and 2004 models.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF0417	CEF0502
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	18	12
Left (cm)	20	20
Center (cm)	18	17
Right (cm)	15	14
Brake pedal (cm)	16	15
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	5	5
Right (cm)	5	4
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	5	3
Rearward (cm)	0	1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	2	2

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF0502
Head
HIC-15	383
Peak gs at hard contact	80
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.5
Extension bending moment (Nm)	32
Maximum Nij	0.54
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.4
Femur force - right (kN)	4.9
Knee displacement - left (mm)	0
Knee displacement - right (mm)	3
Maximum tibia index - left	1.05
Maximum tibia index - right	0.84
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.0
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	4.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	63
Right	120

About the original moderate overlap front test

Tested vehicle: 2008 Kia Spectra EX 4-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags
Rating applies to 2008-09 models built after August 2007

The Kia Spectra was redesigned during the 2004 model year. (The old design was produced through November 2003; these cars are also designated as 2004 models.) All 2004 and later Spectra models manufactured after November 2003 are the redesigned cars.

Kia has made structural and side torso airbag modifications beginning with 2008 models manufactured after August 2007. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID	CES0738
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-4.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES0738
Head HIC-15	423
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	53
Lateral force (kN)	1.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	52
Average deflection (mm)	39
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	5.50
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	1.57
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	3.1
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.3
Combined force (kN)	5.3
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.5
L-M moment (Nm)	206
A-P moment (Nm)	35

Passenger injury measures

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES0738
Head HIC-15	234
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Compression (kN)	0.7
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	27
Lateral force (kN)	1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	47
Average deflection (mm)	30
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	5.04
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.80
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.6
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.5
Combined force (kN)	2.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.7
L-M moment (Nm)	294
A-P moment (Nm)	-119

About the original side crash test

Seat type: Seats with active head restraints

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Seats with active head restraints
Geometry
Backset (mm)	68
Distance below top of head (mm)	40
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Fail
Max T1 acceleration (g)	10.1
Head contact time (ms)	87
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	89
Max neck tension (N)	609

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Seat type: Seats without active head restraints

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Seats without active head restraints
Geometry
Backset (mm)	55
Distance below top of head (mm)	38
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Fail
Max T1 acceleration (g)	12.9
Head contact time (ms)	86
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	49
Max neck tension (N)	601

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.