#NYIAS We didn't know it was going to show up, but calling the 2010 Kia Forte Koup a surprise is a bit of stretch. The production version of the Kia Forte sedan debuted in February and a concept version of the Koup was shown in New York at last year's show.
If anything, we're surprised how faithful the production Forte Koup is to the original concept, and that it kept its kooky Koup name. Strangely, the rear of the production model is actually more aggressive than the concept thanks to a finned diffuser that hugs a pair of chrome exhaust tips. Can't remember the last time that happened.
It's a nice-looking package though. At 176.4 inches long, 55.1 inches high, 69.5 inches wide and riding on a 104.3-inch wheelbase, the Koup is within an inch or so of the Honda Civic coupe. It even shares the Honda's front-end design to some degree, yet thankfully the Koup goes its own way toward the back.
Like the sedan, the Forte Koup will offer two engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 156 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque, or a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 173 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices are about what you would expect. Base models offer either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, while the SX models with the bigger engine use either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic.
Fuel economy is quite good no matter which engine/transmission is installed. The base engine returns 25 mpg city/34 highway with either transmission. Kia says SX Koups will return 22 city/32 highway with the manual and 23 city/31 highway with the automatic.
It's built on a front-wheel-drive chassis that uses MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam axle with coil springs in back. SX models get a sport-tuned version of the same setup.
The interior is well stocked with basic amenities like air-conditioning, keyless entry, tilt steering and a height-adjustable driver seat. There's even a six-speaker CD stereo with Sirius Satellite Radio, a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. If you want to get fancy, leather seats are also available.
Sales of the Forte Koup start late this summer. No pricing was announced, but expect a base price around $15,000.
bankerdanny says:
10:41 AM, 04/ 9/09
Well done Kia. That's a terrific looking little car. It's nice to see that those on a budget can get a little style too.
roar02ram says:
01:18 PM, 04/ 9/09
The Civic coupe may be a take-it or leave-it design, but it's very cohesive and very well executed. This looks like a cut-rate imitation, but it's still nice-looking.
gearcat says:
01:29 PM, 04/ 9/09
I wish people would stop with all the negative comments about KIA and Hyundai copying other designs just for the sake of saying it. This is clearly a unique design. You can only do so much with a box on four wheels that needs to be aerodynamic ... of course there will be similarities.
How many people who bash KIA and Hyundai have actually spent time in one? Most likely, none.
ms3hothatch says:
01:32 PM, 04/ 9/09
The rear end looks more like an Acura TSX. It definitely looks better than the Scion tC.
cruiserhead1 says:
02:29 PM, 04/ 9/09
too much of the Honda koolaid. Civics look boring and cheap. They are totally generic looking.
Kia did a great job. Don't know if it has the engineering chops like the Civic but it certainly looks much better.
estreka says:
02:42 PM, 04/ 9/09
Looks snazzy! If this is the production version, Kia won't be able to build enough of them.
wshuff says:
03:58 PM, 04/ 9/09
The description last year said:
"The Koup is powered by Kia's 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged engine that makes 290 horsepower and an impressive 289 pound-feet of torque."
This car would be a lot more interesting with that engine.
lexuslvr says:
04:06 PM, 04/ 9/09
wshuff Yes indeed.
altimadude00 says:
06:45 PM, 04/ 9/09
This has the Civic's distinctive styling without the techno-weirdness on the inside. Plus, do I see some Passat C-pillar?