KIA Spectra - Fuel Guzzler

[Vit4wd]

I rented a 2002 Spectra saloon 1.6A over 4 days, and managed only between 8.5 - 9km/l, using Mobil 92RON (min RON required is 91RON)

 

RPM was kept below 3000rpm, 70/30 highway/city driving.

 

The car's mileage was 42,600km, and was last serviced at 38,000km.

 

Is such high fuel consumption normal for the Kia Spectra?

 

And I found the acceleration for its 16 valve Mazda engine rather sluggish & engine note very coarse too, compared to my 11 yr old Vitara 1.6A, 8 valve, 3 speed auto.

 

No offence to Spectra owners, but your views are appreciated.

[Carlover76]

For Auto, it will consume more petrol than manual and for Spectra, it is heavy in body weight so fuel consumption will be a bit higher but it will be more stable for cornering and high speed and the heavierness of the car is due to the strong protection of the front and rear bumper and side impact bar protection.

 

For Spectra's engine, it is based on Mazda engine but fine-tune by Kia, that is why it is called MI-Tech but the engine is very quiet though.

[Cashiertan]

even a auto one is 8.5km/l as he claim, the manual one will not perform like 13km-14km/l like SOME ppl here claimed. I believe the manaul one should have better FC of only 1-3km/l more. Thus the manual one should at best gave 12km/l.

Edited August 11, 2004 by Cashiertan

[Vit4wd]

How is the fuel consumption of your Spectra like?

 

I was pretty disappointed with the 8.5 to 9km/l consumption figures of the Spectra auto, considering its low mileage and pretty new condition. And it comes with 16 valve too.

 

When you compare such figures with an 11 yr old Suzuki Vitara with thrice the mileage, using an old technology 8 valve engine, rear wheel drive and sitting on broader 205/65R15 tyres, yet accomplishing at least 9km/l (hard driving) to 11km/l (normal light footed driving), it is really disappointing.

[Carlover76]

For Spectra, if you compare with Jap cars like Suzuki, don't think it will be fair cos the weight for Suzuki cars should be quite light compared to Spectra and Spectra's engine is based on Mazda engine technology.

[Sosaria]

Kia Spectra happens to be one of my favourites cos it's difficult to find manual-drive cars these days - and Kia still gives drivers this option. Nowadays, most mid-range family cars are only offered with auto-trans, unlike the good ol' days.

 

By the way, how is the typical fuel consumption for manual Spectras? Is the manual trans gearbox smooth/easy to shift?

[Carlover76]

Fuel consumption for Spectra is around 10-11km/litre depend on your driving style also cos someone in my forum can travel around 550km when the empty tank indicator lights up so will be like 14km/litre.

 

Gear shifting for Spectra is no problem as it is soft so when you change gear, it is very light and relaxed type, dun need much force to change to another gear.