2014 Kia Forte Koup: Sporty and Very Well Equipped
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Competition among compact cars is fierce. It’s not just because this segment is extremely popular in Canada, but especially because there are just so many different quality compact models available. Sedans still garner the highest number of sales, followed by wagons, and then coupes. In fact, few manufacturers decide to produce coupes, as they prefer to focus their energy—and investments—on the more popular configurations.
Kia, however, has been pushing hard in all directions to maintain its growth rate and increase its market share. The brand has been offering the Forte Koup since 2009, and now they have totally revamped it for 2014. It joins other front-wheel drive coupes such as the Honda Civic, Scion TC and its little cousin the Hyundai Elantra Coupe (with whom the Koup shares the same chassis and mechanical components).
Baiting buyers with equipment
The new Forte Koup’s lines have been updated and the work has paid off. The Koup is now noticeably more dynamic-looking than its sedan counterpart. The front end features a new grille with LED positioning lights and fog lamps with LED contouring (a nice touch!). The front view is also the best angle to distinguish the turbo versions, as they have a much bigger air intake.
Seen from the side, the vehicle is underscored with 17-inch wheels, but opting for the 18-inch wheels adds a lot more punch. These wheels add a lot of style to the car; you might call it one of Kia’s specialities. In the rear, there’s no garish spoiler, just a slightly raised trunk for added effect and improved aerodynamics. Several small details contribute to the Forte Koup’s sophisticated style, including turn indicators in the rearview mirrors, chrome door handles and the tail lamps outlined with a light strip.
When you climb aboard, you suddenly forget that this is a compact car—especially when you see the long list of standard equipment. The offering is on par with what you find in full-size luxury sedans. Equipment is the ace up Kia’s sleeve to get an edge over its rivals, none of which can boast as much. The list goes on and on, and in some cases includes heated/ventilated seats, xenon headlamps and a rear back-up camera.
The vehicle’s interior has been beautified with a few additional soft surfaces, which are much better than what we’ve seen from Korean cars in the past. It’s hard to criticize the layout and finish of the controls. The centre of the dash is angled toward the driver, which makes it easier to reach the various controls. The metal pedals, including a large footrest, add a nice touch. The only shortcoming is the lack of side bolstering in the seats. Plus, they are very hard and can be uncomfortable for long drives, which makes you look forward to a lot of pit stops.
Two versions, two mechanical groups
When it comes to coupes, the choice of versions and mechanical groups is often very limited. But Kia is not one for half measures and is offering buyers some selection.
The base trim now comes with a much more modern mechanical system (finally!). It’s a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with direct injection that develops 173 horsepower (17 more than the old four-cylinder). This is more power than what most of its rivals offer. Unsurprisingly, the transmissions include a manual or automatic, both with six speeds. With all these horses, the total power is more than adequate. The car is responsive and you genuinely feel that there’s enough power, which is an important factor when you’re driving a sport coupe.
I’ve never been a fan of Kia’s manual gearboxes. They’re typically mushy and imprecise. While Kia has improved them for 2014, they’re still not meeting the standard set by some other competitors, especially the Honda Civic. The Koup’s transmission may do a good job of using the available power, but revs remain fairly high at speeds greater than 100 km/h.
The SX has more pep thanks to its turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, which produces 201 horsepower and 195 lbs-ft. of torque at 1,750 rpm (a low speed for this type of engine). By way of comparison, the competition’s sport models reach their full potential at 4,000 rpm and up. The advantage? You feel the power sooner, which is useful in passing manoeuvres. The air exchanger maximizes fresh air intake, while the dual exhaust contributes a few additional horses.
Consequently, the SX’s performance is pretty impressive, especially considering the price of the car. The 201 horses are clearly felt and accompanied by a lovely sound for such a small engine. In this trim, Kia has revised the first three speeds on the transmissions to enhance performance—but obviously this change is to the detriment of fuel economy. You can’t have it all! Braking is also more powerful on the SX thanks to larger discs up front.
The only disappointing aspect is the steering, which is both loose and imprecise, especially as you head into corners. It doesn’t deliver the level of feedback you’d expect from a sports car, either. Still room for improvement in this department.
In short, despite its sporty aspirations and best intentions, the Forte Koup doesn’t have the same personality as some of its rivals. It’s a vehicle with some talent for dynamic driving, but it still has a ways to go. But where the Forte Koup really hits hard is with its value for money. No other car in its class offers as much for the same price.
