Kia's new, sportier Forte targets Corolla, Civic
Kia's new Forte sedan, which replaces the Spectra, signals a new design direction for the Korean brand.
The Forte is sportier and has a more contemporary look than the Spectra, Kia's best-selling vehicle. It also is roomier, more powerful, and gets better fuel economy. Kia executives say they have a formidable competitor for the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
On sale: Now
What changes: The Forte is bigger than the Spectra and offers upgraded engines--a 156 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that delivers 173 horsepower. It also gets Kia's first six-speed manual transmission. Electronic stability control, Bluetooth with voice activation, and satellite radio are standard.
"With its roominess and standard equipment, Forte is more than just a worthy contender," says Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing at Kia Motors America.
Kia's new Forte
How the Forte stacks up against the
car it replaces, the Spectra.
| 2010 Forte | 2009 Spectra | |
| Length | 178.3 in. | 177.2 in. |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in. | 102.8 in |
| Base engine | 2.0-liter 4-cyl. | 2.0-liter 4-cyl. |
| Horsepower | 156 @ 6,200 rpm | 138 @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque, pound-feet | 144 @ 4,300 rpm | 136 @ 4,500 rpm |
| EPA mpg | 25 city/34 hwy. | 23 city/30 hwy. |
| Price, including shipping | $14,390 | $14,200 |
Competitive landscape: The Forte is targeting the Corolla, Civic, and Mazda3. Kia sold 68,465 Spectras in 2008, a fraction of Corolla and Civic sales. But the Spectra's sales decline this year has been much less dramatic that those of its rivals.
At a base price of $14,390 including shipping, the Forte has a more powerful engine, competitive fuel economy, and more standard safety features at a lower price than both the Civic and Corolla.
(Source: Automotive News)
