When Kia says its 2010 Forte Koup is completely new, believe it. You might find this difficult to fathom, but Kia has never sold

The Forte Koup is one seriously stylish compact two-door, and it goes well too. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

a coupe before. I can’t think of another mainstream brand that has never made a two-door hardtop model, can you?

What a way to get started! Right out of the box the new Forte Koup is arguably the best looking coupe in its compact category, easily outclassing the Chevy Cobalt Coupe, Ford Focus Coupe and Honda Civic Coupe in one purposeful blow, with lines that are so attractive and details so thoughtfully executed that it could easily move up a notch into the entry-level premium segment if it weren’t for its brand name.

Yes, Kia won’t exactly be vying for the same limelight as BMW and its fabulous little 1-Series, although on looks alone it could.

Nice styling... brilliant detailing. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

It’s pretty impressive inside too with a well-designed overall layout boasting an attractively grained soft-touch dash-top, well-lit, nicely detailed gauges framed by a thick, meaty steering wheel with quality ancillary controls for cruise and audio, the latter connecting to Audi-like red-on-black LED displays on the centre stack, further actuated via tightly spaced, nicely damped buttons and metal-highlighted knobs. It’s a feast for the eyes and the senses, that audio system enhanced by Sirius satellite radio in my SX, and under the dash easily accessible USB and aux plugs, standard across the line, sitting ahead of a well-placed pocket for your personal device.

Just

Soft-touch dash and high-quality switchgear, the Forte Koup is surprisingly good. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

one look at the well-bolstered black leather seats with racy red stitching and you’ll know this isn’t your average sporty compact, but rather something that can really manage a slalom course. I had no course at hand, but some local mountain roads did the trick, leaving me impressed to say the least, not only with this SX model’s sport-tuned suspension setup augmented by 215/45 R17 all-season tires rolling on 17-inch alloy rims, but it’s ability to catch a wayward move in inclement conditions via its standard electronic nannies, traction and stability control.

Yes, I know that my Koup is tricked out in SX trim, but Kia equips both EX and SX trim levels with these potentially life saving features, as well as four-wheel discs, upgraded in SX trim, with standard ABS across the line, six airbags, two of which are

Leather seats with red stitching is a nice touch. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

side curtains that stretch to the rear seating area, and anti-whiplash front headrests.

The SX model’s uprated five-speed automatic with Steptronic manual shift mode that Kia chose to outfit its press car with didn’t disappoint in its capability, although having spent time with this transmission in the sedan I was a bit disappointed that the sportier coupe provided didn’t include the standard six-speed manual gearbox. I would’ve liked to row through the gears, not only to report back to you how this felt, but also to enjoy my time with the car more. As it was, the five-speed auto shifts fairly quickly and doesn’t feel like it’s holding back the top-tier 2.4-litre four-cylinder, an engine that should be energetic enough for most

A nice centre stack filled with excellent sound, top-tier connectivity and an automatic HVAC system. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

peoples’ needs with 173hp at 6,000 rpm and 168 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Actually, we happened to have a new 2010 VW Golf GTI on hand with its ultra-efficient paddle-shift actuated, dual-clutch, sequential manual DSG gearbox, and I was surprised by how well our Kia tester did, outpacing the VeeDub at launch right up to about 60 km/h, where the more powerful GTI started to gain ground. The real numbers validate our experience too, with the GTI sprinting to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and the Forte Koup SX needing 7.3! Not bad Kia!

Here’s where the scale tips further in Kia’s favour, however. The Forte Koup SX gets 9.2L/100km in the city and 6.2 on the highway with the manual and an even thriftier 9.0L/100km in the city and fractionally less efficient 6.3 on the highway with the auto, using regular gas no less. That aforementioned German needs premium and can only manage 10.0L/100km in the city and 6.6 on the highway with the manual, although its DSG automatic rating is slightly better at 8.7L/100km in the city and the same 6.3 on the highway. Ok, you’re right. Why should I be comparing the fully loaded $21,645 Kia Forte Koup to a hot hatch that gets started at $28,675, and equipped like my tester rolls off of VW’s showroom floor for a staggering $37,455? Really, I should compare it to the three compact coupes I commented on earlier, Chevy’s Cobalt Coupe, Ford’s Focus Coupe and Honda’s Civic Coupe.

A similarly equipped Cobalt Coupe LS2 will set you back  $22,965, hit 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds (Edmunds) and hardly make you feel as securely connected to the road doing so, albeit for $24,345 base, or $24,700 similarly equipped, the Cobalt SS blows away all Coupe comers with a 100 km/h

There's reasonable room in the back seat. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

sprint needing a mere 5.7 seconds! The Ford Focus Coupe is an also ran performance-wise, believe me, although it comes nicely equipped for its top-line $23,249 price tag, and the $25,575 (freight and PDI included… $1,530 more with the Koup SX and similarly more with the others except Chevy’s much more reasonable $720 charge) Civic Coupe, in non-Si trim albeit complete with an aero trim package so that it was fitted more like the Koup SX, is a laggard as well loping to 100 km/h in a comparatively languishing 8.3 seconds. You can upgrade to a Civic Coupe Si that improves the 100 km/h run to 6.9 seconds, slightly better than the Koup SX, but its $27,275 (freight and PDI included) MSRP puts it into an entirely different league. So, what do we learn buy all this number-jumble? The Forte Koup is a really good deal!

If

A sizable trunk with 60/40 split rear pass-through. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

you want one without every option, but still well equipped with such niceties as four-wheel discs with ABS, the previously mentioned traction and stability control, six airbags and other safety items, 16-inch alloy wheels on 205/55 R16 all-season tires, power windows, locks with remote access, heated cloth front seats with height adjusters, 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks, a tilt and telescopic steering column, air conditioning, a six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with steering wheel mounted controls, plus USB and auxiliary inputs plus Bluetooth connectivity, a base EX model can be had for only $18,495 with a $1,455 deliver and PDI charge.

The EX gets a fuel-efficient 156hp 2.0L four-cylinder with 144 lb-ft of torque, and both engines are ULEV certified by the way, the smaller of the two said to have an estimated

A fun little sports coupe with fabulous styling, Kia's on a roll. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

fuel economy rating of 8.3L/100km in the city and 5.8 on the highway with the five-speed manual, or 8.1 in the city and the same on the highway with the four-speed auto with manual mode. Standard storage is adequate at 358 litres (12.6 cu ft).

You can add on a glass sunroof to the EX for $800, while this item comes standard with the top-line SX I tested. Other standard SX items not yet mentioned include a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, metallic interior accents, alloy sport pedals, automatic air conditioning, a glowing red “Supervision” instrument cluster, a trip computer and fog lights.

Add to that one of the best warranties in the industry at five years or 100,000 km comprehensive, plus an overall brand quality rating that just keeps getting better and better each year, and Kia’s first coupe appears to be a real winner. On looks alone the Koup will be sure to scoop up its fair share of business, and from what I’ve seen on the road so far, be prepared to see some of the coolest import buyers behind the wheel of this new ride. Civic nation? Not anymore.

I was on the 2004 Kia Spectra launch in beautiful Southern California and was thoroughly impressed. It was a car that

The Forte looks fabulous. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

could at least keep up with the Joneses and Satōs, if not the Müllers and Schmidts, and set the stage for good things to come from this ever-improving South Korean brand.

Now to look at Kia’s current lineup is to shake one’s head in disbelief. From a brand that was once seen as an automotive embarrassment in North America, the epitome of needs-driven consumerism, to being one of the coolest style statements of youth-oriented individualism is quite a leap in what has been a very short duration when compared to competitive brands that have been selling into our market for decades longer.

Kia still makes its more plebian offerings such as the Sedona minivan, which while attractive for a minivan will never be cool due to the stigma associated with

It takes to the curves surprisingly well... solid and secure. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the segment it resides in. The same can be said for the Rondo five-door people mover, or the smallest Kia Rio sedan, a good little car but hardly aspirational, whereas the Rio5 is one of the most attractive of its segment. Midsize sedans have a similar negative association, yet the Magentis was recently restyled successfully, plus it’s always been a good driver’s car. A new Sportage should up the wow-factor in its compact crossover category while the full-size Borrego takes the brand into the luxury realm, and flagship Amanti (Korea’s answer to the Lincoln Town Car) will soon get the heave-ho for something truly inspirational.

Inspiration is what Kia’s new Soul is all about, and to a lesser extent, again due to its more mainstream category, the new Forte really moves Kia, and the entire

The Forte might look better from the rear than it does from the front. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

compact sedan segment, up a notch or two. The car, also available as a two-door coupe, dubbed Forte Koup in Kia-speak, is so surprisingly good that I was taken aback, as was my Mercedes driving business partner, all the staff in our office and anyone else I showed it to.

First and foremost the Forte makes an impressive visual statement. Its lines are clean, modern, and particularly upscale, a combination that actually has people doing double takes when they walk past. That contemporary style is transferred inside the cabin too, where it looks sophisticated and again, richer than its compact segment and price point suggests it should be.

Granted,

A high-quality cockpit that feels like a class above most of its rivals. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the example Kia gave me for my weeklong test was the top-line SX model, featuring such luxuries as heated leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated switchgear for cruise and audio actuation, the latter featuring Sirius satellite radio in this configuration. The SX also gets automatic climate control, a power glass sunroof, trip computer, metallic-colour interior inserts, alloy sport foot pedals, 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 215/45R17 all-season shoes, a sport-tuned suspension, and fog lamps, over and above what comes standard with every Forte and option in the trim levels in between.

Standard with the LX are heated mirrors, body-colour door handles and rear garnish, front and rear mud guards, power locks, a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio

The seats are comfortable, supportive and the leather is soft and supple. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

system that really sounds impressive and features an auxiliary input and USB port, plus Bluetooth connectivity and the aforementioned wheel-mounted audio controls. Power windows with driver's express-down also come with the SX, a centre console with storage compartment, variable intermittent wipers, plus dual power outlets on the front console, a map light with a sunglasses holder, Eco-Minder indicator, driver's seat height adjuster, tilt steering wheel column, rear centre armrest with cupholders, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, and active front head restraints, and 195/65R15 all-season tires wrapping 15-inch steel wheels with covers. Air conditioning and keyless entry are optional.

Move up to the EX and those two options come standard, along with 16-inch alloy wheels inside 205/55R16 all-season tires, exterior mirrors with integrated

The audio system interface feels well made and it sounds great. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

turn signals, chrome door handles and rear garnish, two additional speakers added to the stereo, cruise control, front wiper de-icer, illuminated ignition, heated seats, telescopic functionality added to the tilt steering wheel, electronic stability control and traction control. A power sunroof is optional.

The base LX and better appointed EX come with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that is optimized for fuel economy first, achieving an estimated rating of 8.3L/100km in the city and 5.8 on the highway, although its output is nothing to sneeze at with 156hp at 6,200 rpm and 144 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm, better than some rivals’ top engine choices. SX models come fitted with a sportier 2.4-litre four-cylinder boasting 173hp at 6,000 rpm and 168 lb-ft

Like the stereo, the HVAC system is a cut above. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

of torque at 4,000 rpm, while the fuel economy penalty isn’t too bad at 9.2L/100km in the city and 6.2 on the highway. Both engines use regular fuel, saving even more at the pump.

My tester came with the 5-speed automatic transmission, optional with the SX only, and mated to the 2.4 the little Forte certainly didn’t lack for power. It springs away from stoplights with a lot of spunk, and takes that same go-getter energy to the highway where it passes with confidence and tracks effortlessly at higher than posted speeds. I’d like to try the 5-speed manual that comes with the 2.0-litre engine or 6-speed manual equipped that gets shipped standard with the 2.4, but alas there has been no opportunity. Reality has it that most buyers will opt for the autobox, so at least I can say with

Stability control is a critically important safety feature, and impressive for this class. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

confidence that it’s a good choice, and its extra top gear (compared to some rivals that only offer four-speed automatics) helps with fuel economy and top speed. LX and EX models, incidentally, have the option of a four-speed automatic.

With either automatic a manual shift mode makes driving in the corners more enjoyable, and to that end the SX model I employed was a real treat when the road started to wind. The 1,301-kilo (2,868-lb) sedan takes to the road with a substantive feel, its 2,650 mm (104.3 inch) wheelbase allowing for agile handling yet a smooth ride. Braking is good thanks to discs all-round and ABS standard across the line, while traction and stability control, standard above

Rear seating room is excellent. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

LX, add a level of security even if the weather is wet and roads slippery.

In that respect, standard front-side thorax airbags and side-curtain airbags front to rear are a Forte forte, allowing the little car to endure a 5-star driver’s side crash rating from the NHTSA, as well as a 4-star rollover resistance rating. Rear passengers only get a 3-star rating for side impact. Frontal crash ratings are as good as possible, however, at 5 stars for the driver and front passenger.

Also comforting is a warranty that covers the Forte for five years or 100,000 km bumper to bumper, where most of its competitors only offer three year, 60,000 km comprehensive coverage.

I’m not going to be so bold as to say the Forte is the best compact sedan now available to Canadians, but I will say that it’s easily one of the best and might just offer the best value for money. And in this class, value is most important. The fact that Kia bundles up all this value in one of the best-looking wrappers available is just a bonus.

If you’ve seen the ad campaign for the all-new 2010 Kia Forte, you’ll like it or hate it, but it will stick in your mind because

The stylish little Forte is a lot of car for the money. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

it’s just that catchy. If you’ve driven the all-new 2010 Kia Forte you’ll probably like it more than you hate it, and it will stick in your mind because it’s just that good of a car.

Driving Kia’s new Forte was one of the most pleasant behind-the-wheel experiences I’ve had recently. Granted I’ve driven some impressive cars, but this was memorable because of its aptitude when it comes to driving dynamics. It is also styled very nicely with unique head and taillights, sleek curves and beefy P215/45R17 tires on sexy 17” 10-spoke alloy wheels. Yes, it has 17-inchers! It even inspired a pedestrian to mouth, “That’s a nice car!” and give me the thumbs up while I was waiting at a red light. Heck, I’ll take that kind of attention whenever I can! It also comes with a long list of standard features like 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS (standard on all three trims), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), traction control (TCS), and much more.

Even

Kia has come a long way, in design and execution. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

though the SX trim didn’t come with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, I still had a blast with the optional 5-speed automatic. This 2.4L, 16-valve, DOHC, 4-cylinder engine feels very responsive, having ample passing power thanks to its 173 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 168 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The Forte also offers a 2.0L, 16-valve, DOHC, 4-cylinder engine with 156 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque for the LX and EX trims, optimizing fuel economy. Two engine options for one great car? That’s pretty good.

I really felt the Forte’s competence while driving up the serpentine Sea-to-Sky highway for a weekend trip to Whistler. During my drive I pushed the Forte a little hard in the passing lanes and through the corners to get a good feel for what it can do, and boy it sure can move. When accelerating quickly up a hill, the cabin remained quiet and little engine noise was heard. And when accelerating through tight turns, the front independent and rear coupled torsion beam suspension really performed well.

A really upscale cabin that sets the Forte apart. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

I didn’t feel a lot of body roll in the corners nor did I feel that the Forte couldn’t handle the extra push. Overall, I was most impressed at what this compact sedan could do. In comparison to its competition, like Honda’s Civic and Toyota’s Corolla, the Forte handles just as well if not better, truly giving them a run for their money.

An area where this little Korean sedan surpasses its Japanese competition is on the inside. The Forte’s cabin is composed of soft-touch plastics that don’t sound hollow when tapped. The centre stack is nicely encompassed with a metallic trim and the red and white backlighting for the instrument cluster adds flare and class to an already upscale interior. The addition of leather seats, heated in front, tile and telescopic steering, Bluetooth and Sirius satellite radio on the SX trim make the entire experience even better. After all, having the ability to listen to dance music on a great stereo for hours on end in comfortable leather seats would make my day, any day!

Driving

Nice high-grade leather seats make the Forte seem richer than it costs. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

(and listening to dance music) for hours on end won't cost an arm and a leg when it comes to filling up the tank thanks to this efficient 2.4L engine. The Forte uses an estimated 9.0L/100km in the city and 6.3 on the highway. I definitely wasn't disappointed when I filled the tank up because I had driven around 500km and it cost me about $50 with fuel at over a dollar a litre. I thought it would have cost more since I do a lot of city driving, but I was pleasantly surprised. Heck, the less I pay for gas the better! Incidentally, the 2.0L engine is even better at 8.3L/100km in the city and 5.8 on the highway.

When contemplating my dislikes of the Forte, I drew a blank. This sedan was quite exceptional, especially since its base model has an MSRP of $15,695 and the top-of-the-line SX with the optional automatic transmission is $22,195 (plus a $1,455 delivery and destination charge). This is quite impressive for such a well-made vehicle. If I had to be petty and think of one area that could use improvement I would want to have beige stitching as an optional colour to complement the leather interior. As cool as the red stitching is with the black leather, it just doesn’t match the Bronze exterior colour. Like I said, I had to really look hard for some kind of improvement!

Stitching colour aside, the 2010 Kia Forte SX is bound to knock your socks off. Whether it’s the powerful 2.4L engine or the superior handling and ride quality, or for that matter the impressive interior, this four-door sedan has it going on.