2015 Kia Forte Koup Review

Overview

The 2015 Kia Forte Koup is a coupe at the upper end of the entry-level price range, with a starting MSRP of $18,590. The vehicle is available in two trims, each of which has the option of manual or automatic transmission, and the MSRP increases to a maximum of $21,590 before the dealer's discount.

 

Exterior Features

The outside of the Forte Koup is relatively straightforward, but features many of the selections that Kia has become known for in the Fair Lawn, NJ area. Among these are:

• Heated, power folding mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators
• Illuminated door handle pockets
• An optional power sunroof for better lighting on the inside of the vehicle
• Solar control glass that reduces the worst of the sun's effects
• Automatic control of the projector beam headlights, with optional high-intensity bulbs
• Fog lights as a standard option for the Fair Lawn, NJ area
• Combination LED lamps on the rear of the vehicle
• Perimeter approach lighting to assist with entering the vehicle at night
• 16-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels lifting the entire vehicle

Interior Features

The inside of the Forte Koup is surprisingly robust for a vehicle in this price range. Major features and options include:

• A six-speaker audio system with connectivity to AM/FM/Sirius XM radio, as well as CDs, MP3s, and any compatible device that can be connected through USB or Bluetooth
• Access to the UVO eServices Infotainment system, standard on the SX model and available as an option for the EX model
• Internal navigation, with additional connectivity to HD radio and SiriusXM's traffic reports
• A rear-view camera, once again standard on the SX and optional on the EX
• FlexSteer assistance for maintaining control of the vehicle
• An optional upgrade to dual-zone automatic climate control that includes rear vents for passengers in the back
• Cloth seating is a standard option for Fair Lawn, NJ, but can be upgraded to leather seating
  

 

Mechanical Features

The EX model of the Forte Koup runs on a 2.0L, four-cylinder engine. With automatic transmission, it's able to achieve an excellent mileage rating of 25/34 while still producing 173 horsepower, making it simultaneously powerful and efficient. The engine runs on regular unleaded, and the 13.2 gallon tank gives the EX an estimated minimum range of 330 miles per tank.

The SX models run on a 1.6L turbo engine, pulling a maximum of 201 horsepower. This model gets an overall mileage rating of 22/30, retaining an estimated minimum range of 290.4 miles on a single tank.

Final Thoughts

The Forte Koup is one of Kia's sportiest cars, designed to stand out on the road and offer a degree of performance that many other vehicles of its size can't match. It's built as a two-row coupe, making it ideal for families with small children or only irregular need for the back row of the vehicle, and that's fine - it's not meant to be as much of a general utility vehicle as many of Kia's other offerings.

Instead, the Forte Koup is designed to allow you to truly enjoy your ride, enjoying trips of any distance in style and comfort. In a way, the small tank size actually works in its favor - each fill will ultimate cost less because of the smaller size of the tank, which makes it easier to work into a household budget, and the low starting price means that even families with limited means can still enjoy a comfortable and powerful vehicle. As such, we feel that the Forte Koup deserves an overall rating of 4.5/5 - and serious buyers should consider getting the SX model, as the differences will be noticeable.