First, the good news: Kia includes standard dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags, and side-curtain airbags on every 2005 Spectra5. Additionally, the front seatbelts are equipped with pretensioners and force limiters, and everyone gets a three-point seatbelt.

Despite this impressive roster of safety gear, the NHTSA rates the Spectra sedan for four-star crash protection all around, except at the rear doors, where it garners a three-star rating for side impacts. A five-star rating is best, and a one-star rating is worst.

Now, the bad news: In its 40-mph offset crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was unimpressed with the Kia Spectra's crashworthiness. Saddled with a rating of "poor," the Kia Spectra did not control dummy movement in testing, according to the IIHS report, allowing the dummy's head to contact both the steering wheel through the driver's airbag and the B-pillar. The IIHS awarded the Kia Spectra with an "acceptable" rating for rear crash protection.

Note that in both sets of testing, the Kia Spectra sedan was used to generate the ratings. The Kia Spectra5, with its different roof structure, could provide better - or worse - protection. Also, Kia has requested a "do over," but to date, the IIHS is resisting another test to see if the Spectra can improve its results.