New 2010 Kia Forte Features And Prices

Although technically replacing the Spectra in the Kia lineup, the all new Forte has very little to do with it, except perhaps for offering a lot of value. With its attractive design, competent power, good gas mileage, long warranty and affordable pricing, the Forte is a legitimate competitor with the traditional segment leaders from Toyota and Honda.

The fact that the Forte was designed by a previous Audi designer should be a strong indication that there is more to this new Kia sedan than one might normally expect from a car in this price range. And open it up for a look inside and you'll also find a clean and attractive layout with plenty of features and solid quality materials.

The 2010 Kia Forte is classified as a compact sedan and is offered in three trims: LX, EX and SX.

Standard Features And Options:

While standard equipment on the base LX is fairly spartan, it does include Bluetooth connectivity, 15 inch steel wheels, a six-way-adjustable driver seat, a tilt steering column, and a 4-speaker CD/MP3 sound system with USB and auxiliary audio jacks.

Stepping up to the popular EX model adds full power accessories, cruise control, air conditioning, a 6-speaker audio system, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat with a center armrest and adjustable rear headrests.

The SX has all of the above, plus a larger 2.4 liter engine, 17 inch alloy wheels, wider tires, a sport-tuned suspension, foglights, a tilt and telescoping steering column, unique cloth upholstery, metallic interior trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a trip computer, and an upgraded gauge cluster.

Available optional features on the LX include air conditioning and the split-folding rear seat. Options on the EX include a sunroof, leather upholstery with heated front seats, and 16 inch alloy wheels.

Optional features on the SX model include heated leather seats and a sunroof.

There's also a Fuel Economy package that adds a five-speed automatic transmission, low-rolling-resistance tires, electric power steering, and some aerodynamic adjustments.

Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:

Powering both the 2010 Kia Forte LX and EX models is a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine that generates 156 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque. Its coupled with either a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. When adding the Fuel Economy package to the EX, the transmission is a more efficient five-speed automatic.

The SX model is equipped with a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that produces 173 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque. It's mated with either a standard six-speed manual transmission or the same five-speed automatic used in the EX's Fuel Economy package.

EPA estimated gas mileage for the LX and EX models (with either transmission) comes in at an efficient 25 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway. Choosing the Fuel Economy package boosts the EX's performance to 27 mpg city and 36 highway, making it the top mpg performer of any non-hybrid, non-diesel sedan in its class.

Even the more powerful Forte SX comes in at 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, very impressive for any car with a large-displacement four-cylinder engine.

Safety:

Safety is also a high priority on the Forte. Standard safety features on all models include antilock disc brakes (ABS) with brake assist, stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.

Interior:

The cabin of the Forte is clean, attractive and user-friendly, with easily-read gauges and intuitive climate and audio system controls. Somewhat surprising is the better-than-average materials quality and standard Bluetooth connectivity.

The Forte is also one of the roomier compact sedans available. But this is a "compact", so expect some rear legroom tightness for taller passengers. Trunk space is a nice plus as well, coming in at an impressive 14.7 cubic feet.

Drive:

The Forte was built with an emphasis on fuel economy, so it's not trying to impress on those twisty back roads or with quick green light acceleration. In these situations, the Forte's performance is capable, if unimpressive. And although the sport-tuned SX is a bit better, it too can not be expected to impress as a performance-oriented vehicle.

On the other hand, the Forte provides a comfortable drive and gets around town nicely while getting very good gas mileage. Its compliant suspension handles bumps and ruts with little notice and it's also a confident performer on the highway.

Update: Bad Economy Leads To Lower Kia Forte Prices:

Auto sales have been weak for months, evidence of a continuing poor economy and an especially weak car buying trend. There was a small bounce during the "Cash For Clunkers" program, but the market quickly returned to its previous poor condition.

And once again, the combination of fierce competition and a soft market has created an ideal opportunity for nailing down great deals.

How To Buy A New Forte At The Lowest Price: Before listing MSRP and invoice prices for the 2010 Kia Forte, here's step-by-step instructions on how to get the best price, especially given the current slow car market.

Price:

2010 Kia Forte Sedan:

LX, manual: listed retail price: $13,695, invoice price: $13,430
LX, auto: listed retail price: $14,695, invoice price: $14,410

EX, manual: listed retail price: $15,795, invoice price: $15,040
EX, auto: listed retail price: $16,795, invoice price: $16,000

SX, manual: listed retail price: $17,195, invoice price: $16,380
SX, auto: listed retail price: $18,195, invoice price: $17,330

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2010 Kia Forte Features And Prices