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The 2009 Kia Spectra and Spectra5 are largely unchanged. This compact car slots above Kia’s subcompact Rio and uses a basic design from the 2001-2006 Elantra from Kia’s corporate parent, Hyundai. Spectra comes as a sedan in LX, EX, and sporty SX trims. It also offers a 4-door hatchback called the Spectra5.

All models have a 138-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. A manual or automatic transmission is available on all models. Available safety features include ABS, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. All but LX include 4-wheel disc brakes, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, and power windows, locks and heated mirrors. SX and Spectra5 have a sport suspension. A sunroof is newly available on the EX.

Heavily disguised prototype of futue C-segment Kia car was spotted in public again. While ongoing cold-weather testing, the future four door sedan was beeing exposed to unfriendly onroad conditions…and spy photographers at the same time. Spectra successor, code named TD, is expected to diverge from Kia’s unemotional design theme, incorporating many design cues from the upcoming concept car, Kia is planning to debut, at the New York autoshow in March.

The 2009 Kia Sorento gets slightly freshened exterior styling. This midsize SUV uses traditional truck-type construction, seats five, and slots below Kia’s Borrego in size and price. Base, LX, and EX models are offered. Base and LX models are powered by a 242-hp 3.3-liter V6 engine, while EX models have a 262-hp 3.8-liter V6.

A 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate is the sole transmission. Rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive are available. Kia offers two 4WD setups, both with a low-range gear for off-roading. The standard system cannot be left engaged on dry pavement, but Kia’s Torque-On-Demand 4WD can. It’s exclusive to EX and is included in the available Luxury Package.

Maximum towing capacity is 3500 lb with the 3.3-liter V6 and 5000 lb with the 3.8 V6. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and a driver’s knee airbag. Options exclusive to the EX include heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control.

2010 Kia Sorento is slated to be introduced in calendar-year 2010 as a 2011 model. After skipping a model year, this SUV will be redesigned, with freshened styling, new engines, and new features. The 2003-2009 Sorento was a 5-passenger SUV that used traditional truck-type construction. The 2011 version is a crossover that shares elements of its basic design with the Santa Fe produced by Kia’s corporate parent, Hyundai.

It will seat up to 7 passengers and should be available with front- or all-wheel drive. The standard engine should be a 170-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. Available should be a 260-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 borrowed from Hyundai’s Veracruz SUV. The sole transmission for all versions likely will be a 6-speed automatic.

Available safety features should include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a navigation system should be among the features offered. See Consumer Guide’s 2011 Kia Sorento report for more information, prices, and a full review.

The 2011 Kia Sorento is redesigned with freshened styling, new engines, and new features. This SUV is a crossover that shares elements of its basic design with the Santa Fe produced by Kia’s corporate parent, Hyundai. The 2003-2009 Sorento was a 5-passenger SUV that used traditional truck-type construction. Trim levels for the 2011 model include Base, LX, uplevel EX, and sporty SX. Base, LX, and EX have a 175-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. Available on the EX and standard on the SX is a 276-horsepower 3.5-liter V6.

All models offer front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available on the LX, EX, and SX. The Base has a 6-speed manual transmission. All others use a 6-speed automatic, which is not offered on the Base. Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, curtain-side airbags that cover the first two seating rows, and front-side airbags. All 4-cylinder models have standard 5-passenger seating.

Optional on the LX and EX 4-cylinder and standard on the EX V6 and SX is a 3rd-row bench seat that increases capacity to 7. A Convenience Package for the LX includes rear-obstacle detection, rearview camera, and fog lights. A Premium Package for the EX includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, rearview camera, and on V6 models, a panoramic sunroof. A Limited Package for the EX includes a navigation system, uplevel audio system, and chrome wheels. DVD entertainment is optional on the EX V6 and versions so equipped cannot be ordered with a sunroof. SX models have specific trim and a sport suspension.

The 2009 Kia Sedona is largely unchanged. All Sedonas seat seven, have a 244-hp 3.8-liter V6 engine, and a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift gate. Base models are 5 inches shorter in wheelbase and about 13 inches shorter overall than the uplevel LX and EX. All Sedonas have removable 2nd-row bucket seats that slide fore and aft.

The 3rd-row seat in Base models is removable and splits 50/50. LX and EX versions have a 60/40 3rd-row bench that folds into a floorwell. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. EX is available with a Luxury Package that includes leather upholstery, sunroof, power-adjustable pedals, rear obstacle detection, and heated front seats.

Power-sliding rear doors and a power tailgate are standard on the EX. A navigation system is newly available on the EX as well. DVD entertainment is also available. The Hyundai Entourage from Kia’s corporate parent shares Sedona’s basic design, but it does not offer a short-wheelbase model.

The 2010 Kia Sedona is largely unchanged. All Sedonas seat 7, have a 250-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine, and a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift gate. Base models are 5 inches shorter in wheelbase and about 13 inches shorter overall than the uplevel LX and EX.

All Sedonas have removable 2nd-row bucket seats that slide fore and aft. The 3rd-row seat in Base models is removable and splits 50/50. LX and EX versions have a 60/40 3rd-row bench that folds into a floorwell. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags.

Rear-obstacle detection is newly standard on LX and EX. EX is available with a Luxury Package that includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, sunroof, and power-adjustable pedals. Power-sliding rear doors and a rearview camera are standard on the EX and optional on the LX. DVD entertainment is also available.

The 2009 Kia Rondo gets slightly more power, and top-line EX versions now offer a navigation system. In size and price, this midsize front-wheel-drive wagon slots between Kia’s compact Spectra5 hatchback and midsize Sorento SUV. Rondo offers LX and EX trim levels, both of which are available with a 175-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder or a 192-hp 2.7-liter V6 engine.

These represent gains of 13 and 10 hp, respectively, over the 2008 Rondo. Four-cylinder models have a 4-speed automatic transmission, while V6 versions have a 5-speed automatic. A new Base model arrives for 2009, and it only offers the 4-cylinder engine. Five-passenger seating is standard on Base and LX. A 60/40 split-folding 3rd-row bench increases seating capacity to seven.

This is optional on the LX and standard on the EX. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Power windows, locks, and mirrors are standard. Leather upholstery is standard on the EX. Heated front seats are standard on the EX and optional on the LX. A navigation system is newly available on the EX.