Kia forte koup
2017 Kia Forte Koup Reviews | Kia Forte Koup Price, Photos, and Specs
Tested Model: 2014 Kia Forte Koup SX Turbo Manual · 2016 Kia Forte Koup Shown This vehicle is no longer in production. The Forte coupe—or Koup, in Kia-speak—is sportier and more elegant than other Fortes; it’s also well equipped and surprisingly refined. The EX is powered by a gutsy 173-hp, 2.0-liter four; the SX model’s 201-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes it even quicker. A six-speed manual is standard, with a six-speed automatic optional on both. Steering and handling are nicely balanced. Alas, the Koup is no screamer, but it is sporty enough to satisfy all but the most hard-core enthusiasts.
Major redesigns occur every five years or so; not much changes in between. Dividing them into generations provides more meaningful distinctions in the shopping process.
July 2014 By KEVIN A. WILSON Photos By MICHAEL SIMARI View 59 Photos 
Like its Forte5 hatchback sibling, Kia’s Forte Koup was restyled and got a newsworthy power upgrade this year in the form of a direct-injected, 1.6-liter turbocharged four cranking out 201 horsepower; the prerefresh car settled for 173 ponies from a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter. Like the hatch, the Koup shares the turboed mill with Hyundai’s funky-doored Veloster pseudo-coupe.
Intentionally misspelled name aside, Kia takes the more conservative approach in this segment, dealing its Koup some added rear leg- and headroom over the previous edition’s while keeping the exterior design more conventional than that of the Veloster. Aesthetically, it’s more in line with what you see from the Honda Civic and Scion tC coupes.
That’s not to say the Koup isn’t a handsome little thing, turned out in this case in bright Racing Red and carrying the high feature content and competitive pricing we’ve come to expect from Kia. The front fenders and the hood are shared with the hatchback and sedan Forte models, and all ride on the same wheelbase and deliver much the same driving experience.
The Koup’s hot engine comes with the top-spec SX trim; you get similar looks but a 173-hp 2.0-liter and a lower price in the EX. Parsing details for those who might have decided on a Forte but are still debating the body style and transmission choices, this loaded-up manual-transmission SX did the run to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, about half a second quicker than the 2014 Forte5 we tested with the same engine and gearbox.
The two-door tipped our scales at 2964 pounds, 54 lighter than the Forte5 we weighed. As tested, the Koup packed the full boat of options, which means two packages. The Premium bundle brings a power sunroof, leather upholstery, heated seats (plus cooling for the driver), a heated steering wheel, and a couple of other items. The Technology package, which requires the Premium kit, adds navigation, a high-res driver’s info screen, dual-zone climate control, and HID headlamps. Each package costs $1800. Add in accessories like a bumper appliqué, cargo mat, and floor mats, and our vehicle’s as-tested was $25,285. We got 21 mpg from the hatchback but managed to finesse 27 mpg from the Koup, which is sort of amazing for our lead-footed crew. But at 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (the automatic turbo model is rated for 30 highway), this is no one’s idea of a fuel-economy special.
As in other Fortes, the adjustable-assist electric steering—altered via an easily thumbed button on the steering-wheel spoke—varies effort from board-game spinner to cement-stirring paddle without adding anything that resembles feel or feedback. It’s responsive, though, being sharp enough at turn-in and offering progressive operation.
The 0.85 g of grip we recorded on the skidpad is pretty good, but we noted more understeer than in the manual hatchback. This is probably attributable to the Koup’s carrying a greater proportion of its mass over the front axle (61.5 percent versus 60.4). The two-door doesn’t encourage outrageous freeway on-ramp behavior, but the handling balance is entertaining enough.
For the price, however, the Mazda 3 2.0-liter hatchback delivers a more engaging driving experience and a richer-looking cabin environment, albeit with substantially less power—it’s a full second behind on the run to 60 mph—and not quite as many features. Of course, it’s also a five-door. So if what you’re seeking is sub-seven-second thrust, the spiffy looks of a coupe, and a bunch of small car for the money, the Forte Koup merits a look.
Photos Build and Price Shop Local Cars View All Features and SpecsVEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE AS TESTED: $25,285 (base price: $21,400)
ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 97 cu in, 1591 ccPower: 201 hp @ 6000 rpmTorque: 195 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual
DIMENSIONS:Wheelbase: 106.3 inLength: 178.3 inWidth: 70.1 in Height: 55.5 inCurb weight: 2964 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS: Zero to 60 mph: 6.9 sec Zero to 100 mph: 17.3 sec Zero to 120 mph: 28.2 sec Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 7.5 sec Top gear, 30-50 mph: 7.6 sec Top gear, 50-70 mph: 6.5 sec Standing ¼-mile: 15.2 sec @ 94 mph Top speed (drag limited): 142 mph Braking, 70-0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.85 g
FUEL ECONOMY: EPA city/highway driving: 22/29 mpg
C/D observed: 27 mpg
A second go-around for Kia's sportiest Forte.2012 Kia Forte Koup Reviews and Rating
Kia’s stylish two-door Kia Forte Koup has broken new ground for the Korean automaker, serving as the basis for Kia’s first-ever motorsports program, with two Koups competing in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, one of which recently won 2011 championship titles.
The 2012 Forte Koup is equipped much like the Forte sedan, except it only comes in two trim levels: the EX, which is the more value-oriented pick, and sporty SX. The EX comes standard with a six-speed manual and optional six-speed automatic with a 156-hp, 2.0-liter four. The SX has the 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four, with the same choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.
All Koups are outfitted with several tech-savvy goodies that come standard, such as Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel-mounted controls, and voice-activated operation. For all audio needs, USB and auxiliary jacks come standard, as does a six-speaker audio system and free Sirius satellite radio for three months. Kia has also incorporated fun characteristics from the funky Soul to the Koup, with speaker lights that pulse to the beat of the music. The fit and finish inside and the overall quality make the Koup viable competitor to the Civic coupe line.
Body style: Coupe Engines: 2.0L I-4, 2.4L I-4 Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Models: EX, SX
Not much has changed for the Forte Koup for the 2012 model year. Last year, it received LED daytime running lights, and its five-speed automatic was updated to an in-house designed six-speed automatic. This year, Koup EX models get a standard telescopic steering wheel, and the instrument panel becomes more functional with Kia’s Supervision meter cluster on EX models (previously exclusive to SX models) with the technology package.
The Forte Koup bears similar characteristics as the eighth-generation Honda Civic Si with its aggressive lines, sleek profile, and narrow greenhouse, and can easily be mistaken for one at a quick glance. Standard exterior features for the EX model include power heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, dual chrome exhaust, and 16-inch alloy wheels. SX trims get 17-inch wheels, and colors include Titanium, Spicy Red, Corsa Blue, Copperhead, and Racing Red.
The back seat is a bit roomier than what most would expect from a compact coupe, with 35.3 inches of headroom and 33.9 inches of legroom. The top-of-the-range SX Koup’s interior features nicely contoured, high-quality leather front buckets. Paddle shifters, metal foot pedals, and a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob round out the goodies for the SX trim level. The Supervision gauge cluster displays more information, such as distance to empty, average mpg, and instantaneous mpg.
Although the Koup resembles the eighth-generation Honda Civic Si, it drives more like a standard Civic. During Motor Trend testing, we found the Koup gets around tight corners with moderate understeer and body roll, and the suspension is sprung tighter, not surprising given its sporting inentions. Brakes also felt a bit thin and were prone to quickly fading under hard use, but overall, should be fine for daily driving. The Forte Koup’s throttle response feels sprightlier off the line than the sedan, but everything evens out and both body styles with the bigger, 2.4-liter engine with 173 horsepower share the same 7.1-second 0-60 mph time.
The Koup has all the safety features the Forte sedan does, which was chosen as a 2010 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This includes dual front airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. Disc brakes with anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and brake assist (BA) are standard, and the same goes for stability control, traction control, and tire-pressure monitoring. Front active headrests round out the Koup’s safety features.
EX: 24 mpg city/33 mpg highway (manual), 25 mpg city/33 mpg highway (automatic) SX: 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway (manual), 23 mpg city/31 mpg (automatic)
- Cool looks
- Quiet ride
- Quick steering
- Stiff suspension
- Driving position
Solid sport-themed coupe option
StarStarStarNo-StarNo-Star- Honda Civic Coupe
- Scion tC
- Hyundai Veloster
- Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
- Used Car Value ( excellent condition )
Kia Forte Koup Reviews: Research New & Used Models
The Kia Forte Koup is the Korean brand’s original sporty offering, and its first two-door compact coupe. Unlike the Forte sedan on which it’s based, the Forte Koup features sportier suspension tuning for better driving dynamics and an available turbocharged engine.
History
Introduced for the 2009 model year, the Kia Forte Koup debuted along with its sedan counterpart and featured a 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter I-4 paired to either a manual or automatic transmission. The SX trim was the sportiest variant and came standard with the larger 2.4-liter I-4, larger brake pads, a slightly more aggressive exterior design, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The Latest Generation
Kia introduced the second generation Forte Koup for the 2014 model year and it is further distinguished from its sedan sibling with the 2.0-liter I-4 equipped as standard and an optional 201-hp 1.6-liter turbo-four on the SX trim. Two transmission choices, a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, are offered on both the base EX and the sportier SX trim. Kia further distinguishes the SX trim with a sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels.
In a 2014 First Test, we said that even though the Forte Koup SX isn’t a full-fledged performance model, it offers a nice balance between sporty handling and a good ride. The 201-hp 1.6-liter turbo-four offers plenty of power but the three-mode FlexSteer system doesn’t really do much to improve steering feel. As with every Kia product, the infotainment system is user-friendly and it offers great value thanks to its long list of standard and available features.
A facelifted Forte Koup is due for the 2017 model year and like the Forte hatchback, it’s likely that the SX will feature an available seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to replace the current car’s six-speed torque converter unit.
Why You’d Consider One
Offering a nice balance between a sporty handling, a good ride, and plenty of tech features, the Kia Forte Koup is a great value in its class. The Koup’s distinct styling also stands out from the crowd of sedans and SUVs.
Why You’d Look Elsewhere
Although its driving dynamics have been improved, the Forte Koup is still more of an economical two-door. The SX variant offers great driving dynamics but it won’t make you forget about hot sport compacts like the Ford Focus ST, Subaru WRX, and Volkswagen Golf GTI.
KIA Forte Koup Features Affordable Price For Nice Body
By Peter Fowler 25 Feb 2016For the first time, Koup was shown to the public in 2010, and its current second generation model debuted in March 2013 in New York. The US-spec of the car has been slightly modified, but the powertrain range, exterior and interior remains the same.
Looks Like Sedan But Only In Front
Externally, the coupe version of KIA Forte, of course, looks like a third-generation sedan, but in fact, it is borrowed only hood and front fenders from it. All other body elements were redrawn in the American division of KIA under the supervision of the chief designer Tom Kearns. As a result, the two-door has become more dynamic, sportier and more aggressive than the sedan, and at the same time acquired improved aerodynamics, which should positively affect the speed characteristics and fuel consumption.
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In terms of dimensions, coupe is smaller than sedan. The length of the body is 178.3″, the length of the wheelbase is 106.2″, the width of the car is 70″, and the height is limited to 55.9″. The curb weight, depending on the configuration, ranges from 2738 to 2985 lbs.
Spacious For a Coupe
The interior of the two-door Forte, despite having only two doors, is very roomy and calmly ready to receive three passengers in the back row. To facilitate the landing on the rear seats, the doorway was visibly enlarged, and the backs of the front seats received a larger angle of inclination.
For decoration of the interior, there are several options for trimming, the interior itself is executed in a modern style, supplemented with sports elements: pedals, side support seats and wells on the instrument panel. Despite a slight decrease in the overall dimensions of the body, the Forte Koup in the back compartment got a very decent trunk, capable of swallowing 15.2 cubic feet of cargo.
Not So Powerful
KIA Forte KOUP of the second generation is equipped with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine from the line of Nu. The motor has four cylinders of in-line arrangement, a 16-valve timing goes on regular gasoline, and its maximum output is 150 hp reached at 6500 rpm. The peak torque of the power plant is at around 143 ft lb and develops at 4800 rpm. As a gearbox, the car could be ordered with two 6-speed transmission choices: either manual or automatic.
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Coupled with the manual, 150-horsepower engine can accelerate the coupe to a maximum of 130 mph, spending an initial acceleration from 0 to 60 in just 8.5 seconds. Automatic will achieve the same speed limit, but the dynamics of acceleration will get a little worse – 9.0 seconds.
Technically Speaking
As we already noted, the sports coupe Forte Koup is built on the basis of the third generation of a four-door, but has a more rigid body and a retuned suspension. In front, the car rests on an independent spring structure with MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar.
The back of the car is supported by a torsion beam CTBA (Coupled Torsion Beam Axle). The front wheels are equipped with ventilated disc brakes, and the rear axle wheels have simple disc mechanisms. Declared by the manufacturer braking distance of the coupe from 60 to a complete stop is 46.2 yards. The steering is supplemented by an electric booster with a function of selecting the operating mode of the Flex Steer.
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