2010 Kia Forte Koup Preview

Hardware
A choice between two engines is available to buyers of the 2010 Kia Forte Koup. The EX model is equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 156 horsepower and 144 lb.-ft. of torque. It can be matched with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic driving the Koup’s front wheels. It’s rated to get 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway regardless of transmission choice.

The Forte Koup SX is infused with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine generating 173 horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s connected to a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic manual shift mode. The Koup SX is expected to return 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway with the manual transmission and 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway with the automatic.

Safety
Kia provides six standard air bags for the 2010 Forte Koup: dual front, dual front side-impact, and dual side curtain air bags. It’s also got 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, a traction control system, and stability control. Like all 2010 model-year vehicles, it also includes a tire-pressure-monitoring system. The Forte Koup is also covered by Kia’s standard 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance program.

Technology
Clearly, the 2010 Kia Forte Koup is not a technically advanced automobile. However, it does make standard many things its target buyer values. For example, every Koup includes a USB port and auxiliary jacks, as well as full control of iPods and other portable music devices through the audio system. A free 3-month trial subscription to Sirius satellite radio is also standard equipment, and all Koups have Bluetooth wireless connectivity for safer, hands-free communication.