Body style: Coupé (two-door)
Segment: Coupe
Production years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Just four years after the launch of the two-door version of the Forte, also known as the Cerato on other markets, the Korean automaker introduced the second generation of this moniker with improved everything, from styling to drivetrains.
Kia wasn’t known as a significant player in the sport compact segment, a territory where the Honda Civic Si and other similar vehicles made the rules. Still, the Korean automaker tried to get involved and deliver a sports-oriented but budget-priced vehicle. Furthermore, besides the price, the car came well-equipped and even had some amenities available only on expensive vehicles. Kia also offered an incredible ten-year or 160,000 km (100,000 miles) warranty for the Forte Koup, depending on the market. Unfortunately, there was not enough market for it, and in 2016, the automaker pulled the plug on it due to slow sales.
The second generation of the Forte Koup featured swept-back headlights, LED positioning lights, and fog lamps, with an option for HID main beams. Between them, the automaker placed a narrow grille that followed the “Tiger Nose” design language imagined by Peter Schreyer. On the lower side of the bumper, the automaker put a broad, trapezoidal-shaped air intake flanked by a pair of scoops that housed the fog lamps. It is worth noting that these amenities were available for both vehicle grades, the EX and the SX.
From its profile, the ascending waistline of the car revealed a muscular-looking greenhouse with narrow windows on the sides and raked-forward C-posts. The flared wheel arches and the very short deck further emphasized the sporty coupe from Kia. Those looking for the base trim level received it with 16-inch alloy wheels, while the upper grade fitted as standard with an 18-inch set. At the back, the automaker placed wide LED taillights extended from the rear quarter panels onto the trunk’s lid. Finally, on the lower bumper, the automaker placed a broad valance that mimicked the look of the front one and flanked it with a pair of chromed-tipped exhausts.
Inside, customers were greeted by a modern-looking dashboard. The binocular-styled instrument cluster of the previous generation was replaced by a fresh-looking one featuring large dials for the speedometer and tachometer that flanked a TFT display showing data from the car’s onboard computer. The SX version came with keyless entry and start. Atop the center stack, the automaker placed a touchscreen for the infotainment system that controlled the audio, and underneath it, the HVAC controls. Several carbon fiber-looking textures decorated the dashboard and the seats. Those who opted for the higher grade received a heated and cooled driver seat and a heated passenger seat. In the back, headroom was limited due to the low-profiled roofline.
Under the hood, Kia installed a choice of two engines and transmissions. The base model came equipped with a two-liter naturally aspirated inline-four, while the SX was powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline unit featuring direct fuel injection. They could be paired with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic that sent power to the front wheels.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L T-GDI 6AT (200 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1591 cm3 |
Power: | 150 KW @ 6000 RPM 204 HP @ 6000 RPM 201 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 195 lb-ft @ 1750-4500 RPM 264 Nm @ 1750-4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6 speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated discs |
Rear: | Solid Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/55R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 70.1 in (1781 mm) |
Height: | 55.5 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.2/61.7 in (1,554/1,567 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.3 cuFT (377 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2982 lbs (1353 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3990 lbs (1810 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 30 mpg US (7.8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L T-GDI 6MT (200 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1591 cm3 |
Power: | 150 KW @ 6000 RPM 204 HP @ 6000 RPM 201 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 195 lb-ft @ 1750-4500 RPM 264 Nm @ 1750-4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6 speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated discs |
Rear: | Solid Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/55R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 70.1 in (1781 mm) |
Height: | 55.5 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.2/61.7 in (1,554/1,567 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.3 cuFT (377 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2925 lbs (1327 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3924 lbs (1780 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29 mpg US (8.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L GDI 6AT (173 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1999 cm3 |
Power: | 129 KW @ 6500 RPM 175 HP @ 6500 RPM 173 BHP @ 6500 RPM |
Torque: | 154 lb-ft @ 4700 RPM 209 Nm @ 4700 RPM |
Fuel System: | Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6 speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated discs |
Rear: | Solid Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/55R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 70.1 in (1781 mm) |
Height: | 55.5 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.2/61.7 in (1,554/1,567 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.3 cuFT (377 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2871 lbs (1302 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3902 lbs (1770 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 34 mpg US (6.9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 28 mpg US (8.4 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L GDI 6MT (173 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1999 cm3 |
Power: | 129 KW @ 6500 RPM 175 HP @ 6500 RPM 173 BHP @ 6500 RPM |
Torque: | 154 lb-ft @ 4700 RPM 209 Nm @ 4700 RPM |
Fuel System: | Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6 speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated discs |
Rear: | Solid Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/55R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 178.3 in (4529 mm) |
Width: | 70.1 in (1781 mm) |
Height: | 55.5 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.2/61.7 in (1,554/1,567 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.3 cuFT (377 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2820 lbs (1279 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3858 lbs (1750 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 24 mpg US (9.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 33 mpg US (7.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 27 mpg US (8.7 L/100Km) |