Kia Forte

For 2010, the Kia Forte replaces the aging Spectra in Kia’s line-up. The Forte is a mid-size 4-door sedan that is the ideal vehicle for driving comfortably through Portland Maine and features Kia’s new distinctive family look.

The Forte, available at your Kia dealer ME, comes nicely equipped with standard items such as; traction control, stability control, side and side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, Bluetooth and a tire pressure monitoring system. Automatic climate control, leather seats, power sunroof, heated seats and a trip computer are all available depending on trim.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2010 Kia Forte is a four-door compact sedan available in LX, EX and SX trims. Standard equipment on the base LX includes 15-inch steel wheels, a six-way-adjustable driver seat, a tilt steering column, Bluetooth connectivity and a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with USB and auxiliary audio jacks.

The EX adds air-conditioning, full power accessories, a six-speaker layout for the sound system, cruise control and a 60/40-split folding rear seat with a center armrest and adjustable rear headrests.

The SX tacks on a larger 2.4-liter engine, a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, wider tires, foglights, a tilt/telescoping steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an enhanced gauge cluster, a trip computer, unique cloth upholstery and metallic interior trim.

Options on the LX include air-conditioning and the split-folding rear seat, but power accessories are unavailable. The EX has an expanded range of options, including a sunroof, 16-inch alloy wheels and leather upholstery with heated front seats.

A Fuel Economy package adds a five-speed automatic transmission, electric power steering, low-rolling-resistance tires and aerodynamic enhancements. SX options are limited to the sunroof and heated leather seats.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2010 Kia Forte LX and EX get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 156 hp and 144 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a four-speed automatic is optional.

The EX’s Fuel Economy package changes out the four-speed auto for a more efficient five-speed automatic. The SX has a larger 2.4-liter four that generates 173 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque; it gets a standard six-speed manual transmission or the same optional five-speed automatic as the EX.

Safety

Standard Forte safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.

Interior Design and Special Features

The new Kia Forte’s interior includes easy-to-read gauges, a clean layout and generally intuitive audio and climate controls. Standard Bluetooth connectivity across the lineup is also a nice touch. Materials quality is good enough to satisfy expectations in this segment. The telescoping steering column is only available on the SX.

Visit our Kia Portland ME dealer today!

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