Kia introduced the first generation of the Cerato/Spectra in 2004 on the same platform as the Hyundai Elantra. Just three years later, the Korean carmaker refreshed the lineup.

The five-doors Cerato/Spectra received a mid-life cycle refresh in 2007, three years after the carmaker introduced it to the market.

The second generation of the Cerato/Spectra sedan appeared in 2004, and Kia built it on top of the Hyundai Accent platform.

In 2004, Kia launched the second generation for its compact hatchback Cerato, also known as Spectra 5 in the U.S.