2010 Kia Forte Koup Overview Change Vehicle

This 2010 Kia Forte Koup review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2010 Forte Koup, and includes Kia Forte Koup safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

With the introduction of the new Kia Forte model for 2010, which replaces the Spectra5 Hatchback and Spectra Sedan as Kia’s compact model, a new coupe body style debuts. The two-door is named the Koup. So Klevr.

The 2010 Kia Forte Koup is available in EX and SX trim levels, and is very well equipped in terms of standard features. As a youth-oriented model, it should come as no surprise that a decent stereo with a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio input jack is included. What is surprising is that even the least expensive version has Bluetooth hands-free calling, satellite radio with a free three-month subscription to service, a USB port, audio controls on the steering wheel, and a Power Bass surround sound speaker system. Additionally, the Forte Koup EX is equipped with air conditioning, power windows, power heated side mirrors, power door locks with remote keyless entry, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, and floor mats. The sport-bolstered seats are upholstered in cloth and the driver’s seat features manual height adjustment, while the exterior features dual exhaust outlets, turn signal indicators in the mirror housings, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The Koup SX is even sportier. In addition to a larger and more powerful engine, the SX is equipped with a performance suspension, performance tires mounted to bigger 17-inch wheels, and upgraded front brakes. Speaker lighting pulses to the beat of the music playing on the stereo, or simply add ambient lighting to the cabin. Unique fabric upholstery, a leather-wrapped shift knob and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, Supervision gauges, a trip computer, and metallic trim on the dashboard and pedals are also included.

Options for both models include an automatic transmission, a power sunroof and leather seats with front seat heaters.

A 156-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox is standard on the Forte Koup EX. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional. There’s no fuel economy benefit either way, as the Forte Koup EX gets 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway no matter which transmission you choose.

With a 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, the Forte SX Koup offers more power for better performance. It also comes with more sophisticated transmission choices, with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard equipment and a five-speed Sportmatic automatic transmission as an option. The Sportmatic transmission allows manual shifting using a separate gate for tap-up and tap-down gear changes. Fuel economy is estimated at 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with the manual and 22-city/32-highway with the Sportmatic automatic.

Kia provides a generous 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on the Forte Koup’s powertrains, and you get basic bumper-to-bumper and roadside assistance coverage for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

With six airbags, a four-wheel-disc antilock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, traction control, and stability control, the 2010 Forte Koup is equipped with a common package of safety features. Unfortunately, we cannot report on the Forte Koup’s crashworthiness because neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have performed crash tests on this model.

What we can relate are predictions for reliability from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates. J.D. Power says the Forte Koup’s dependability is expected to be slightly below average, while Consumer Reports offers a more optimistic outlook, assigning an average prediction for the car.

Aimed straight at the aged Scion tC, the 2010 Kia Forte Koup is Kinda Kool, especially in SX trim. Reliability predictions aren’t particularly favorable, but the Kia does come with a long warranty, so maybe that’s not an issue. While we think the NHTSA or the IIHS ought to crash a Koup – especially since younger buyers are most likely to be interested in this car – Kia does supply a decent package of standard safety gear. For now, the Koup gets a Kwalified thumbs up.

By Christian Wardlaw