2007 Kia Sportage Review

The 2007 Kia Sportage, a compact sport utility vehicle, has an opening MRSP of $16,495. The vehicle is available as the LX I4, LX V6, and EX V6. Engine options are a 140 horsepower, 2-liter I4 as manual transmission with five speeds (and overdrive) or a 173 horsepower, 2.7-liter V6 as an automatic with four speeds. Towing capacity on the I4 is 1,500 lbs. while the V6 can handle 2,000 lbs. Available in both a 4x2 and a 4x4, the estimated gas mileage ranges from 19 city, 23 highway on the V8 4x4 to 22/27 on the I4 4x2.

All models have sixteen-inch tires with alloy wheels and are outfitted with privacy glass in the rear. The back liftgate is a split hatch with glass that flips open. The fuel door can be opened remotely and there are skid plates for the front end and the fuel tank. The included audio unit is a conventional combo playing across six speakers with the EX picking up the capability to play cassettes and MP3s.

All of the vehicles in the 2007 Kia Sportage line offer occupant protection via double airbags in the front as well as those mounted in the seats to deflect lateral impact. Additional bags are present in the curtain position. Disc brakes are present on all wheels and the vehicle has systems in place for traction and stability control. Child seats are held in place with the standard LATCH system and the locks on the rear doors are rated as child safe.

2007 Kia Spectra Review

The five-passenger 2007 Kia Spectra sedan carries a "compact" designation and has an opening MSRP of $13,495. The model has been re-engineered for 2007, emerging with an exterior drawing on a sport heritage and an interior offering more room and more amenities than ever before. The Spectra gets up to 34 mpg, making it a robust performer in fuel efficiency on a 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine generating 138 horsepower (manual transmission with five speeds with an option for an automatic with four speeds.)

The Spectra is offered in three trim levels: LX, EX, and SX. All have an audio combo unit playing across four speakers with two tweeters mounted in the doors. The SX has an option to add a changer in the dash to hold six discs (with MP3 playback capability.) Air conditioning is optional on the LX and standard on the EX and SX. The LX and EX have seats trimmed in full-cloth with the SX using "sport" cloth. Drivers enjoy six levels of seat adjustment. Rear seats fold and split according to the 60/40 configuration.

Occupants are protected by twin airbags in the front as well as those mounted in the seats to shield against lateral collisions. (Bags in the curtain position are also present.) The vehicle has crumple zones to the front and rear as well as beams in the doors to absorb impact and a system to monitor the pressure of the tires. Child seats are held in place by the LATCH anchoring system and the locks on the rear doors are rated as child safe. A latch placed inside the trunk allows for internal emergency release.

2007 Kia Sorento Review

With a starting MSRP of $20,665, the 2007 Kia Sorento is offered in the LX and EX models. Both are powered by a 262 horsepower, 3.8-liter, four-valve, 6-cylinder engine as an automatic transmission with five speeds and four wheel drive. Towing capacity on both models is 5,000 lbs. Estimated fuel economy is approximately 17 city / 23 highway.

Passenger (up to five) have more than enough room in the Sorento's available 137.52 cubic feet with 31.7 cubic feet for cargo with the rear seat is up. Occupants are protected by double air bags in the front as well as curtain bags on the side and an additional bag in the knee position for the driver. Child safety seats are held in place by the LATCH anchoring system. Additional features include impact beams in the doors, disc brakes on all wheels, and a system for traction control.

The premium audio option on the 2007 Kia Sorento is a Delphi combo unit with MP3 playback capability. Music streams over ten speakers and a separate amplifier. (The EX has standard audio controls placed on the steering wheel.) Seats in both models are upholstered in cloth with matching cloth trim on the doors. (The EX has wood grain accents.) The driver enjoys eight levels of adjustment including a setting for the lumbar position. The rear seat folds flat according to the 60/40 arrangement.

2007 Kia Sedona Review

The 2007 Kia Sedona (starting from an MSRP of $21,195) is available in the base model as well as the LX and EX. All are equipped with a 3.8 liter, four-cylinder V6 generating 205 horsepower (automatic transmission with five speeds and overdrive.) Estimated fuel economy on all models is 18 city and 25 highway. (Fuel tank capacity is 21.1 gallons.)

The Sedona offers more than enough interior passenger room (161.6 cubic feet in the LX, 172.3 in the EX) with two rows of seating behind the front. Cargo volume posterior to the third row is 12.9 cubic feet and 32.2 respectively (behind the first row 121.3 and 141.5.) Towing capacity is 3,500 lbs. on all models.

Each of the Sedonas includes a full array of airbags (six total) including two in the front, two mounted in the seats to shield against side impact, and bags in the curtain position. Child seats are held in place by the LATCH anchor system. On the luxury package, an immobilizer for the engine provides additional security against theft.

On the 2007 Kia Sedona (LX and EX), occupants in the rear can enjoy a DVD-based system that includes headsets (wireless) and a remote. The audio package on the base model and the LX is a standard combo unit with the EX adding the capability for MP3 playback, the use of cassette tapes, and a changer in the dash with a capacity for six discs.

2007 Kia Rondo Review

The 2007 Kia Rondo SUV (from $16,995) delivers a degree of bold packaging uncommon in an SUV that behaves like a fuel-efficient sedan. The Rondo can seat from five to seven passengers and is offered in four models, the LX, LX V6, EX, and EX V6. Engine choices are a 2.4-liter generating 162 horsepower (automatic with four speeds) or a 2.7-liter V6 with 182 horsepower (automatic with five speeds.) Towing capacity is 1,000 lbs. The 2.4-liter engine returns a fuel economy of 21 city, 29 highway while the 2.7-liter getting 20/27.

Occupants are protected by double airbags in the front with an additional two mounted in the seats to deploy against impact from the side. (Bags in the curtain position are also present.) Systems to manage the stability of the vehicle and the pressure of the tires are augmented by all-wheel disc brakes with anti-locking technology. The doors have beams for further reinforcement and the vehicle has a crumple zone in both the front and rear. Car seats are held in place by the LATCH anchoring sytem and locks on the rear doors are rated as child safe.

The standard audio unit in the 2007 Kia Rondo LX models is a regular combo with the EX adding the ability for MP3 playback and cassettes (all across six speakers.) Drivers may opt for an Infinity system with 315-watts of power including a changer in the dash to hold six discs, a subwoofer measuring 7.5 inches, and ten overall speakers.

2007 Kia Rio5 Review

The five-door 2007 Kia Rio5 (in LX and SX trim levels) starts at $14,330. The overall design of the exterior emphasizes a sports car heritage with fifteen-inch tires, wheels of alloy, a rear spoiler matching the bady color, and fog lamps in the front. The engine has four-cylinders and generates 110 horsepower as a manual transmission with five speeds and overdrive. (There's an option for an automatic transmission with four speeds.) Fuel economy is rated at 32 mpg city and 35 highway with the manual and 29/38 with the automatic. (Fuel capacity is 11.9 gallons.)

The standard audio unit is a standard combo with four speakers. Both the seats and doors are trimmed in cloth and the driver's seat can be adjusted for height. The seat in the back folds according to the 60/40 configuration. Passenger volume is 92.2 cubic feet with the trunk measuring 15.8 cubic feet with the rear seat up and 49.6 with the seat down.

Safety features on the 2007 Kia Rio5 includes double air bags in the front with an additional two mounted in the seats to protect against impact from the side. (Bags in the curtain position are also present. The doors include beam to cushion against impact and crumple zones are present to the front and rear. (The steering wheel is also designed to absorb impact.) Child seats are held in place with the standard LATCH anchoring system and the locks on the rear doors are rated as child safe. The trunk includes an internal latch for emergency release.

2007 Kia Rio Review

The 2007 Kia Rio starts from $11,350 and is offered in the base, LX, and SX models. All are powered by a 110 horsepower, four-cylinder engine. The base model has a manual transmission with five speeds and overdrive while the LX and SX use an automatic with four speeds. The manual transmission returns fuel economy of 32 mpg city and 35 highway with the automatic showing 29/38. The fuel capacity is 11.9 gallons.

Occupants enjoy 92.2 cubic feet of interior space while the trunk offers up 11.9. Seats in the base model and the LX are upholstered in cloth with the SX using "sport" cloth. All driver's seats can be adjusted for height and the armrests fold down. On the LX and SX the seat to the rear splits and folds according to the 60/40 configuration. Audio is delivered by a standard combo unit playing across four speakers.

All models of the 2007 Kia Rio have dual airbags in the front as well as those mounted in the seats to protect against the force of a collision from the side. Additional bags are present in the curtain position. The doors of the vehicle include beams to absorb lateral force and crumple zones are present to the front and rear. (The steering wheel is also designed to absorb force.) Child seats are held in place by the LATCH anchoring method and the locks on the rear doors are rated to be child safe. The trunk includes an internal latch for emergency release.

2007 Kia Optima Review

The 2007 Kia Optima sedan starts at $16,955 and may be equipped with either a 2.4-liter engine generating 162 horsepower or a 2.7-liter V6 producing 185 horsepower. The 2.4-liter can be configured as a manual transmission with five speeds (and overdrive) or as an automatic with five speeds. The V6 is available as an automatic with five speeds (no other option.) Fuel economy is rated at 24 city, 34 highway with both transmissions on the 2.4-liter and at 22/30 on the V6.

The Optima offers passengers 104.2 cubic feet of interior space, more than enough to seat five comfortably. The trunk measures a total of 14.8 cubic feet. Air conditioning is a standard feature in all models with the EXs including a system for the automatic monitoring of temperature. The remote provides access to the vehicle as well as an alarm button. The console in the center allows for the pass through of a cell phone. The steering wheel tilts and is telescopic. Seats are upholstered in cloth with an option for leather on the EX models. The seat in back splits and folds according to the 60/40 configuration.

The audio unit on the LXs is a standard combo with the EXs using an Infinity system that adds both the ability to play cassettes and MP3s as well as a changer capable of holding six CDs.

All models of the 2007 Kia Optima have double airbags in the front as well as those mounted in the seats to shield against lateral impact. (There are also bags in the curtain position.) A system is in place to monitor the pressure in the tires and beams in the doors further protect against impact to the side. Child seats are held in place with the LATCH anchoring system and the locks on the rear doors are rated as child safe. The vehicle has crumple zones to the front and rear and the disc brakes are all wheel standard.

2007 Kia Amanti Review

The 2007 Kia Amanti sedan (starting from $26,175) offers occupants a cabin that is both generous and comfortable. Features include seats that are heated and upholstered in leather (optional), control of the interior climate over two zones with automatic temperature monitoring, and a premium audio unit with eight speakers (including cassette capability.) The engine is a 264 horsepower, 3.8 liter, four-valve V6 as an automatic transmission with five speeds. Fuel economy is 19 mpg city and 26 highway on an 18.5 gallon fuel tank. Passenger volume is 106 cubic feet with the trunk measuring out to 15.9 cubic feet.

The 2007 Kia Amanti is equipped with a full range of airbags including double bags in the front as well as those to the rear placed in the seats. Side bags protect against laterial impact and bags are also present in the curtain position (full length.) There is a system to immobilize the engine and the steering column has technology for the absorbtion of energy. The doors include beams to further cushion against side impact and crumple zones are present to the front and rear of the car. Child seats are held in place by the industry standard LATCH anchoring methods and the trunk has an internal latch for emergency release.

2007 Kia Spectra5 Review

For 2007 Kia re-tooled the Spectra5 to improve the ease of the vehicle's maneuverability and the level of comfort and quietness offered by this sporty little hatchback's ride. (The legroom for tall passengers who try to sit in the back is still a little cramped, but overall the cabin is spacious for a car of this class.)

Under the hood there's a 2-liter engine with four cylinders that can be configured as either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual (both with overdrive.) Expect to rack up 27 mpg for driving in town and 33 to 35 on the highway. That impressive degree of fuel economy is one of the big drawing points for the Spectra5 as is the price tag -- an opening MSRP of $15,995.

Aesthetically, you'll find a spoiler integrated in the front of the vehicle with an upgraded dashboard for the interior as well as a more powerful audio system than that offered in previous models. The suspension is sport-tuned and the airbag array includes six separate units.

Reviewers do complain about excessive engine noise during acceleration and the fact that ABS is not offered as a standard feature. Otherwise, you get good bang for the buck with the 2007 Kia Spectra5. It's a low-priced, flexible hatchback with good fuel-economy, a genre of automobile that's looking better and better in the face of high gasoline prices.