2010 Kia Forte

At a Glance

Pricing $13,695 - $19,495
Drive Types FWD
Engines 2.0l I4, 2.4l I4
Transmissions A4, A5, M5, M6
Fuel Economy 22-27 (city), 31-36 (highway)

The Kia Forte is a new compact sedan that replaces the Spectra in Kia's lineup. Kia chose to change the name of the model to make a sharp break with the previous model. The Forte has sharper styling and a more upscale appearance than the Spectra. The FWD Forte is larger than the top-selling Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. A 2.0L four cylinder powers most models with a fuel economy rating of up to 27 city/36 hwy. An SX performance model swaps the 2.0L four cylinder for a 2.5L engine increasing horsepower by 17-bhp. The SX also upgrades the tires and transmission. With a base price of around $14,000, the Forte undercuts most competitors in the premium segment.

What Changed:

Kia has a new front-wheel-drive compact car for 2010. The Forte replaces the long-runing Spectra. The Forte sedan debuts with three trim levels: LX, EX and SX. A 2.0L four-cylinder engine is standard on LX and EX models, whereas the SX model equips a larger 2.4L engine. The Forte is offered in sedan and coupe bodies.

Model/Trim/Package Engine Original MSRP
Forte LX 2.0l I4 (156-bhp) M5 FWD $13,695
Forte LX 2.0l I4 (156-bhp) A4 FWD $14,695
Forte EX 2.0l I4 (156-bhp) M5 FWD $15,995
Forte EX Premium 2.0l I4 (156-bhp) M5 FWD $16,895
Forte EX 2.0l I4 (156-bhp) A4 FWD $16,995
Forte EX Fuel Economy Package 2.0l I4 (156-bhp) A5 FWD $17,595
Forte EX Premium 2.0l I4 (156-bhp) A4 FWD $17,895
Forte EX Premium + Leather 2.0l I4 (156-bhp) A4 FWD $18,895
Forte SX 2.4l I4 (173-bhp) M6 FWD $17,495
Forte SX 2.4l I4 (173-bhp) A5 FWD $18,495
Forte SX Leather 2.4l I4 (173-bhp) M6 FWD $18,495
Forte SX Leather 2.4l I4 (173-bhp) A5 FWD $19,495