To look at the Kia Forte Koup is to experience the sports coupe temptation that, sooner or later, affects most drivers. Get ready to give into temptation because the 2012 Kia Forte Koup breaks the sports coupe mold and adds a big dose of practicality.
You probably didn’t stop to look at the Forte Koup for its trunk space, did you? You saw that chiseled, sophisticated design and rakish profile and felt the twinge of sports coupe temptation that erases visions of sedans and crossovers from the mind. With an MSRP of $15,200, the 2012 Kia Forte Koup makes it all the more difficult to resist the siren song of a boldly designed sports coupe by adding the bonus of room for friends, and a roomy trunk.
High on a sports coupe driver’s priority list stands “sportiness.” People might define that term in various ways, but all can agree you need respectable power. The front-wheel drive Kia Forte Koup delivers with your choice of two performance levels. In the 2012 Forte Koup LX and EX, a 156-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine livens up any drive and comes with your choice of a standard six-speed stick shift (standard in LX) or an optional six-speed electronically controlled Sportmatic® automatic (standard in EX). The LX and EX are fun to drive and also inexpensive to operate with fuel economy figures of 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway with the manual transmission, 26/36 with the automatic and up to 27/37 in the EX with the EX Fuel Economy Package.
There’s nothing “economy class” about the Kia Forte Koup comfort level. LX standard features include Bluetooth with steering wheel controls, air conditioning, a tilting steering wheel, intermittent wipers, a center storage console with padded armrest, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, front active headrests, dual 12-volt power outlets and a 60/40-split/folding rear seat with center console and adjustable headrests. Your music will sound great through the standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 four-speaker audio system, which lets you connect an iPod® or MP3 player and then control it using the audio head unit or steering wheel audio controls. You also get SiriusXM Satellite Radio with three months of complimentary service.
EX models add dual heated power exterior mirrors with turn signal indicators, two more audio system speakers, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, cruise control with steering wheel controls, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and added convenience features like dual map lights, a sunglasses holder and dual illuminated vanity mirrors. You’ll quickly appreciate the standard outside temperature gauge, for example. The standard carpeted floor mats in the EX remind you that you simply get more in a Kia than other cars in this class. The available EX Fuel Economy Package includes electric power steering, a Kia “smart” alternator, low rolling-resistance tires and aerodynamic body enhancements.
Now, look at the line-topping Forte Koup SX. A 2.4-liter engine provides a boost in performance with 173 hp and the same choice of six-speed transmissions. Motor Trend magazine got a Forte Koup SX stick shift from zero-to-60 mph in just 7.1 seconds, and the 15.4-second quarter-mile at 90 mph would match a number of classic V8 muscle cars. Yet, even the speedy Forte Koup SX can deliver up to 32 mpg on the highway.
Backing up the added engine performance in the Forte Koup SX comes sharpened handling from a sport-tuned suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45R17 tires. The SX adds extra sportiness inside with exclusive equipment and unique trim including a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shiftknob, metal pedals, Supervision™ gauge cluster and special cloth seats with red stitching. Outside, LED taillights sharpen up an already dynamic design. Choose the automatic in an SX, and you can shift manually when you please with steering wheel paddleshifters.
Getting back to the “bonus” feature of room and practicality, consider that the Kia Forte Koup offers more front and rear-seat head- and legroom and a larger trunk than the Honda Civic Coupe. With its rear seatbacks folded, the trunk expands to provide a huge 53.4 cubic feet of carrying space. The Toyota Highlander, large utility vehicle, offers 42.3 cubic feet behind its second row.
Sports coupe drivers of any age will also appreciate the available luxury in the Forte Koup with the SX offering a Leather Package with heated front seats and an auto-dimming mirror. In line with the Kia commitment to value at all price levels, both the EX and SX models offer an optional Technology Package that includes a Navigation System with rear camera display, automatic climate control, Push Button Start with Smart Key and more.
Come in and see why the 2012 Kia Forte Koup surpasses other sports coupes you may have known by offering a unique blend of bold design, fun performance and easy-to-appreciate practicality.
