So the new Spectra looks the part of a seriously upgraded compact sedan, but it also seems to be acting the part.

The increased dimensions of the new Spectra will have the immediate affect of providing more room for people and cargo.

In the passenger compartment, the volume is up to 2.74 cubic meters, which may mean as much as ''roomiest cabin in its segment and more interior space than many larger sedans.''

The luggage doesn't do so well, of course, but then it never complains about being too close to its sister. On the scale, the trunk gets 0.345 cubic meters, which is about a third bigger than the previous Spectra.

Kia has also concentrated on adding safety equipment, getting to the stage where it's at the ''head of the compact class.''

The all-new Spectra features six standard air bags, including dual front and front seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain air bags.

It's the side curtain bags that move Spectra ahead, since it's probably the lowest-priced car on the market to offer this feature as standard equipment.

Spectra also comes with anti-lock disc brakes on all the corners, though it's not clear yet what will be standard or optional in Canada.

The 2-litre inline-four in the new Spectra delivers increased horsepower and torque, and better fuel economy and reduced emissions compared with the previous vehicle.

Thanks in part to its multi-port electronic fuel-injection and continuously variable valve-timing, this engine delivers 138 hp and 135 lb.-ft. of torque, which are increases of 14 and 16, respectively, and can be attached to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.

According to Kia, that horsepower numbers is superior to the standard horsepower ratings of many of the competing vehicles in the segment, including the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, and Ford Focus.

Spectra for 2005 is about more than straight-ahead power, since it gets an all-independent suspension using MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link design in the rear, with stabilizer bars at both ends.