2010 Kia Forte Sedan priced from $14,390*
2010 Kia Forte – Click above for high-res image gallery
Following the ill-timed Borrego and ultra chic Soul is the new 2010 Kia Forte Sedan. This compact four-door, soon to be joined by a Koup, will replace the Spectra in Kia's line up and wind up being only a couple hundred dollars more expensive. Kia announced today that the 2010 Forte Sedan will start at $14,200 in base LX trim, which includes a delivery charge of $695. The mid-level Forte EX will start at $16,490 and the top shelf SX model will begin at $17,890.
The SX model will be the sportiest trim level and has a sport tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels and larger front brakes along with a black interior trimmed in red stitching. What really gets the Forte SX going is its 2.4-liter four-cylinder rated at a healthy 173 horsepower; it's paired with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic. The LX and EX make do with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 156 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque that's paired with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
Our choice would clearly be the SX, and we wouldn't necessarily be penalized at the pump with its 22 city/32 highway mpg rating. LX and EX models with the smaller 2.0-liter engine achieve a slightly better rating of 25/34 mpg, while a special Fuel Economy Package can be ordered on the EX model that includes Motor Drive Power Steering, a "smart alternator", silica tires and special aero enhancements to achieve 27/36 mpg.
Check out Kia's official press release after the jump for more info.
Gallery: 2010 Kia Forte
[Source: Kia]
PRESS RELEASE
ALL-NEW 2010 KIA FORTE COMPACT SEDAN
Kia Motors' New Compact Sedan Hits the Streets of Seattle
SEATTLE, June. 12, 2009 – Following the successful launch of the all-new, widely acclaimed 2010 Kia Soul urban passenger vehicle in Miami earlier this year, Kia Motors America (KMA) today launched the all-new 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan in Seattle. The Emerald City, known for its innovation and creativity, provides the perfect backdrop for Forte, a true pioneering player in its segment. On sale in North America early this summer, Forte is the first of its kind to offer consumers an impressive combination of standard safety, comfort and convenience features.
"On the heels of several successful vehicle debuts and introductions, Forte finds itself in good company and follows in the stylish steps of Borrego and Soul," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing, KMA. "With a heavy emphasis on design, Forte sedan is poised to help consumers make that emotional connection with their vehicle by offering the entire package of style, safety features and value."
Dynamic Exterior Styling
With aggressive design cues, the new Forte firmly establishes itself as a strong contender in its segment. Sporting a bold look set apart by crisp lines, swept-back headlamps and a sleek profile, Forte exudes a wide, stable stance that conveys motion both while cruising the highway and parked in the driveway. Available in three trim levels (LX, EX and SX), Forte offers a sleek, sophisticated design. The SX trim offers a more athletic profile with 17-inch alloy wheels paired with P215/45R17-sized premium tires.
Available in three trims, LX, EX and SX, pricing for the all-new compact sedan will start at $13,695¹ for the LX trim, while the Forte EX begins at $15,795. Moving up to the SX trim, pricing begins at $17,195.
Smooth and Seamless Ride
With a wheelbase of 104.3 inches, an overall length of 178.3 inches, an overall width of 69.9 inches and overall height of 57.5 inches, Forte offers comfortable seating for up to five passengers. The Kia-engineered body achieves high torsional stiffness giving Forte taut, responsive handling, a smoother ride quality and greater refinement than its competitors, with a specially tuned, Kia-developed suspension adjusted perfectly for responsive handling on S-turn laden roads. Additional refinements are fitted throughout Forte to help ensure a comfortable ride with good noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) reduction qualities.
Forte's front-wheel-drive unibody structure employs an independent front suspension with MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar and a torsion beam rear suspension with struts and coil springs. This combination helps provide the optimal balance of handling and comfort. An engine-speed-sensitive, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system adds the finishing touch for precise handling by providing the most advantageous amount of assist for varying road conditions. In keeping with the energetic essence of the SX model line, a sport-tuned suspension gives the chassis a firmer feel and responsiveness resulting in a sportier and more spirited ride. The SX model also features larger front brakes for improved stopping capabilities.
Modern and High-Tech Interior
With one of the roomiest interiors in the segment, Forte boasts a spacious 96.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, while driver and passengers have an impressive 40.0 inches of headroom and 43.3 inches of legroom in the front seats and 37.8 inches of headroom and 35.0 inches of legroom in the rear seats. Forte's trunk also offers a best-in-class 14.7 cubic feet of cargo space, perfect for luggage and weekend getaways or around-town grocery shopping.
Capitalizing on its spacious interior, Forte makes every effort to incorporate style and function, starting with a crisp, high-visibility center stack and a driver-oriented three-gauge instrument cluster exuding a stylish red glow. Forte continues to pamper its riders with a host of interior features, starting with comfortable, nicely appointed full cloth seats. A six-way adjustable driver's seat, tilt steering column, rear defroster and dual 12-volt power outlets in the center console are driver- and passenger-conscious luxuries standard on every vehicle.
EX and SX models offer a number of additional standard luxurious touches such as: power windows and door locks; remote keyless entry; air conditioning; map lamps; steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls; tweeter speakers; dual front and rear cup holders; and floor mats. Forte EX models also offer an optional Premium Package that includes a power moonroof and 16-inch alloy wheels, or a Leather Package that includes leather-trimmed seats with front seat warmers, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and metal-finish trim.
The SX model brings even more standard features, including a unique black interior with sport cloth fabric adorned with red stitching, a telescoping steering column, Supervision™ gauge cluster, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and metal-finish trim and pedals. The SX model also offers the optional power moonroof and leather-trimmed seats with front seat warmers.
Lively Performance and Power
Forte LX and EX are powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, producing a class-leading 156 horsepower² and 144 pound-feet of torque, that features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection, both of which provide for greater performance and fuel economy. The SX features an upgraded 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, also with CVVT, which delivers 173³ horsepower – more powerful and with better fuel economy than the Mazda3s and Corolla XRS.
Four transmission options are offered for the 2010 Forte: a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission (LX and EX models). The SX model features a standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional five-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic®.
Offering impressive fuel economy, the 2.0-liter engine offers a competitive 25/34 mpg (city/highway) when mated to either the five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions, while the 2.4-liter engine turns out a notable 22/32 mpg when paired with the six-speed manual and 23/31 with the five-speed automatic.
The optional Fuel Economy Package, available on the EX model with the 2.0-liter powerplant, includes the five-speed automatic transmission, Motor Drive Power Steering (MPDS), "smart" alternator, silica tires and aero enhancements. These improvements result in 27/36 mpg and a class-leading combined fuel economy of 30 mpg.
Jamming Sound System
Forte comes with a ground-breaking combination of standard convenience features, starting with a standard four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service†. Also standard on all models is an auxiliary audio input jack and USB port for connecting personal MP3 players as well as Bluetooth® connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls, which enables hands-free operation for all compatible cell phones. For true audiophiles, the EX and SX packages add a standard six-speaker surround-sound audio system.
Forte's advanced audio system also includes Speed Dependent Volume Control (SDVC), which automatically increases the volume at higher speeds for better listening enjoyment, and Power Bass, which automatically enhances the bass response and tone.
Standard Kia Motors Safety
Forte offers a class-leading level of standard safety equipment, with features such as front active headrests, dual advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted and side curtain airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, side impact door beams, front and rear crumple zones, four-wheel disc brakes with an Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BAS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a Traction Control System (TCS), and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Industry-Leading Warranty
Like all Kia models, Forte is covered by a comprehensive warranty program, which offers unprecedented consumer protection. Included in this program are a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty, and a five-year or 100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan is also part of the comprehensive coverage program.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Jared 2:43PM (6/11/2009)
Not a bad looking car. The Japanese manufacturers should be worried.
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dukeisduke 3:01PM (6/11/2009)
The styling is light-years ahead of the current Spectra. Since they share platforms, does this mean we'll also see a swoopier version of the equally frumpy Hyundai Accent?
Randy915 3:18PM (6/11/2009)
Of course they should be worried, this has a Civic front end and a baby-TSX profile. Several times now when I saw this car in various AB posts my first thought was a new/facelifted Civic until I read the title.
Judy Zik 4:13PM (6/11/2009)
Civic Exterior/Mazda 3 Interior. You are right I think that might concern the Japanese.
What it will come down to is how well it handles and holds up since that is where previous attempts by Kia haven't measured up.
jinsei888 4:36PM (6/11/2009)
took the words right out of my digital mouth
Bobmarley 4:48PM (6/11/2009)
Randy915,
I thought the same...which isnt a bad thing. But i think it has a lot of the focus look
fmwso 4:48PM (6/11/2009)
true... this car is really nice overall..
Rich 7:20PM (6/11/2009)
The sad thing is that, despite them being horrible to drive, people will buy them based on the Civic's and Focus's looks. 1,000,000 mile 65 year warranty? You'll need the bugger!
Rich 7:21PM (6/11/2009)
The sad thing is that, despite them being horrible to drive, people will buy them based on the Civic's and Focus's looks. 1,000,000 mile 65 year warranty? You'll need the bugger!
Rich 7:22PM (6/11/2009)
Yay! At last my comment posted! 20% success rate isn't bad...
Sheesh, this forum software sucks.
jsjs 2:50AM (6/12/2009)
"Of course they should be worried, this has a Civic front end and a baby-TSX profile."
@Randy - doesn't look like the current TSX from the side and the 1st gen TSX had a BMW feel to it (w/ the Hoffmeister kink).
As for the "Civic" front end - let's see the grilles are different (the Forte's is much larger in size and doesn't have the same chrome bar across the top (otoh, Saturns do so does that mean Saturn copied Honda? Maybe, exceot Mitsu came out w/ that look before either).
The headlights are different - Honda's kink starts at the grille (just like some VWs - does that mean VW copied Honda?) while the Forte has a entire section of the headlight before the kink starts.
Otoh, should Audi/VW be worried since the Civic's rear has an eerie resemblance to the A4 (esp. the shape of the taillights)?
Sal Collaziano 12:48AM (8/27/2009)
This is just the beginning. Kia's getting a RWD BMW 3-Series competitor for 2010.. The Forte is going to soak up a lot of Civic sales - and it'll probably cause huge problems for Toyota's Corolla.. The money earned on a car like this is going to make for a real nice sporty RWD Kia...
Sal Collaziano
http://www.kiaforteforum.com/
VW GTi 2:44PM (6/11/2009)
It looks like Kia will finally have a grand slam C segment sedan.
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ugg.tryptophan 3:09PM (6/11/2009)
yeah, Ive already seen a lot where i live
VW GTi 3:57PM (6/11/2009)
ugg.tryptophan, where are you located. I haven't seen any around where I am. I'm in PA.
BigWill 5:56PM (6/11/2009)
For all the hope of Fiat saving Chrysler, imagine what would have happened if Chrysler had been able to cut a deal with Kia to supply the Forte right now with Chrysler and Dodge badges (and for that matter, stuck a Dodge Hornet badge on the Soul, and a Durango badge on the new Sorrento). They'd have sold a ton of them and made a serious sales challenge to the Corolla and Civic. Unfortunately the Forte is going to get overlooked a lot simply because of three letters on its nose: K-I-A.
John 2:47PM (6/11/2009)
I'm not sure whether I like this or not. First off, I thought Kia was supposed to be the inferior brand to Hyundai... I'm having trouble deciding which one is better. I kind of wish this were a bit cheaper (and thus less nice), since when is air conditioning an extra on a $15,000 car?
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SteveJ 3:14PM (6/11/2009)
The Civic DX has optional A/C. Seems to be standard practice for the lowest model.
VW GTi 4:00PM (6/11/2009)
It's a good way for car companies to extort more money out of their customers. Yes, definitely is standard practice anymore.
click_playaz 2:47PM (6/11/2009)
Kia did it again. Nice job in copying! Kia steals a style from Japanese Honda Civic. Even the SUV( I din't remember the name), Kia copied from GM. what a shame?
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