Kia USA says the Forte Koup is dead, but Kia Canada says it's not dead yet.
When the Kia Forte four-door got a refresh for 2017, but the two-door Koup didn't, it looked like the writing was on the wall for the fate of the Koup coupe. Indeed, Kia USA confirmed to Cars Direct that the car was not getting a 2017 model and that once the 2016 models were gone, then the model was gone for good.
But a quick look at Canadian Kia dealers shows that the Koup is not dead yet. Not only is there a 2017 Forte Koup model listed on Kia Canada's consumer site, there are 2017s on dealer lots across the country. So will the Koup live on north of the border, giving Canadians a sporty coupe choice?
According to Kia Canada, the Koup doesn't want to go on the cart, at least just yet. A spokesperson for the brand said that "Kia Canada will continue to offer the Forte Koup on special order moving forward."
Not only is it still available, but it still comes in two trim levels. The EX model gets the all-new 2.0L four from the sedan that makes 164 hp, and has a six-speed manual or automatic. The SX is auto-only and adds a turbo to its 1.6L four to make 201 hp.
That puts the 2017 Kia Forte Koup in the company of the Nissan X-Trail, Chevrolet Orlando, and the Suzuki Swift+ as one of just a handful of models over the years to be sold in Canada, but not the USA. How long will it last like that is unclear. "Moving forward" could mean this year, or it could mean until the end of the model cycle. Since Kia has gone to the trouble of emissions testing and compliance on the new engine for the Koup, it'll probably stick around for at least a couple of years. You just might have to order it in if you want one from your local dealer.
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