NEW FOR 2014:
-Redesigned model
Kia has completely redesigned its compact model, ditching the old car's angular look for softened styling that reflects the influence of Peter Schreyer, the German designer most famous for his penning the original Audi TT.
Forte is offered in coupe, sedan, and four-door hatchback bodystyles, and three distinct engines. The four-door sedan is the only one to get an entry-level 1.8L four-cylinder that makes 148 hp and 131 lb-ft of torque, and the underhood upgrade here is a 2.0L four-cylinder good for 173 hp and 154 lb-ft., both of which can be mated to a choice of six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.
Coupe and hatchback engine choices are between the 2.0L and a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder borrowed from the Hyundai Veloster Turbo, which makes 201 hp and 195 lb-ft. Again, both engines can be had with manual or automatic transmissions.
Standard features in LX sedan models include 15-inch steel wheels, 1.8L engine, six-speed manual transmission, electric power steering, tilt-and-telescopic steering, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, trip computer, map lights, cloth seats, centre console armrest, height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split rear seatbacks, power door locks, power windows, power mirrors, heated side mirrors, four-speaker stereo with auxiliary and USB inputs, and body coloured side mirrors and outside door handles.
An LX AT sedan gets the automatic trnasmission, active eco, air conditioning, and keyless entry.
LX+AT sedan adds 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, side mirror-mounted turn signal repeaters, heated front seats, rear-seat vents, windshield wiper de-icer, centre console sliding armrest, six-speaker stereo, and front fog lights.
An LX+ AT Sunroof trim adds, well, take a guess.
Next up the sedan ladder is the EX model, which gets the 2.0L engine, six-speed manual transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, driver-selectable 'flex steer,' stainless steel exhaust tip, chrome outside door handles and moulding, auto-dimmer rearview mirror, power-folding side mirrors, UVO infotainment system, backup camera, LED positioning lights, rear centre armrest, automatic headlights, dot-matrix LCD gauges cluster.
As in the LX line, EX AT and EX Sunroof models add the automatic transmission/active eco and sunroof, respectively.
Finally, the SX trim comes exclusively with the automatic transmission, LED taillights, Xenon headlights, welcome lighting, leather seats, ventilated driver's seat, heated rear seats, power driver's seat with lumbar, driver's seat memory, alloy pedals, multimedia interface with navigation, push-button start, intlligent keyless entry, heated steering wheel, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, cooling glove box, dual-zone automatic climate control, LCD/TFT supervision gauge cluster, and aero-blade wipers.
In the hatchback, standard kit in the LX+ starting point includes the 2.0L engine, six-speed manual transmission, 16-inch alloy wheels, electric power steering, air conditioning, rear-seat vents, keyless entry, tilt-and-telescopic steering, steering wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, fog lights, trip computer, map lights, rear spoiler, stainless steel exhaust tip, cloth seats, heated front seats, sliding front centre armrest, 60/40 split folding rear seatbacks, height-adjustable driver's seat, power door locks, power windows, power and heated side mirrors, sideview mirror-mounted turn signal repeaters, six-speaker stereo, body-colour side mirrors and outside door handles, and a windshield wiper de-icer.
Like the sedan, LX AT+ and LX+ AT Sunroof add automatic transmission and sunroof, respectively.
EX AT models add 17-inch alloys, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, flex steer, chrome exterior trim, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-folding side mirrors, UVO infotainment system, backup camera, LED positioning lights, rear centre armrest, automatic headlights, and a dot matrix type LCD cluster.
An EX AT Sunroof trim adds a sunroof.
Atop the hatchback line is the SX, which trades the 2.0L for the 1.6L turbocharged motor and six-speed manual gearbox. Other adds include 18-inch wheels, larger front brakes, sport bumper and grille, dual-zone automatic climate control, cooling glove box, LED taillights, alloy pedals, aero blade wipers, push-button start, intelligent keyless entry, welcome lighting, and black gloss exterior trim.
SX AT trades the stickshift for the six-speed automatic with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and active eco.
The top hatchback model is the SX AT Premium, which gets HID headlights, leather seats, ventilated driver's seat, heated rear seats, power driver's seat with lumbar and memory, multimedia interface with navigation, heated steering wheel, and an LCD/TFT 'supervision' gauge cluster.
Coupe models kick off in EX trim, with the 2.0L engine and six-speed manual transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, sport bumpers, stainless steel exhaust tip, chrome outside door handles, LED positioning lights, fog lights, map lights, electric power steering, flex steer, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, clost seats, heated front seats, manual driver's seat, seatbelt extension guide and rear-seat walk-in device, height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split folding rear seats, rear centre armrest, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, keyless entry, power windows, windshield wuper de-icer, body-coloured side mirrors, power-folding, and heated side mirrors, six-speaker stereo with auxiliary and USB inputs, UVO infotainment system, backup camera, and steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls.
As in the other models, EX AT and EX AT Sunroof models get the automatic transmission and sunroof, respectively.
In SX trim, you get the 1.6L engine and manual trasmission, 18-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension, larger front brakes, sport-tuned dual exhaust, carbon-fibre front bumper and rear diffuser, black gloss outside mirrors and door handles, dark chrome grille surround, aeroblade wipers, intelligent keyless entry, push-button start, alloy sport pedals, dual-zone automatic climate control, cooling glove box, LED taillights and halo fog lights, and welcome lighting.
SX AT adds the automatic transmission and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Topping the coupe range is the SX AT Luxury, with a sunroof, HID headlights, multimedia interface with navigation, enhanced LCD/TFT supervision cluster, leather seats, ventilated driver's seat, and a heated steering wheel.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
