'da Koup - 2010 Kia Forte Koup SX

text and images by Michael A. Marrs

There have been a lot of changes in the automotive industry, some good, and some bad.  One of the most significant has been the gradual return to making it ‘fun’ to drive a car.  True enough, there have been sport cars across the globe for the weekend warrior, and there have even been a few efforts to bring back the Detroit Muscle Car era.  Home built hot rods have also seen new developments that not only seem to put more rust on the road, but some very nice technology designs hidden under classic Detroit designs.

This infusion of artful designs into automotive style have been tried before, but it seems that it is finally making its way into the mass market.  There are several examples out there, but the compact and sub-compact segments seem to be getting the most benefit from these changes.   The Kia Forte Koup is one example of how the lines and overall style of the body contribute to the fun factor, and with high gloss Racing Red paint, our review ride really, really needed to be driven.  The Koup, with a K is correct, comes from the factory with a list of standard features and options that can be mixed to create individual packages.  There are three models, starting with the LX that comes with the 2.0-L DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine that provides 156 horses at 6200, and 144 lb-ft torque down at 4300.  Depending on the full power train combination, the 2.0 carries an EPA estimate that ranges from 25 city to 36 highway.  There is a standard five-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission available, a set of 15-inch tires, and some nice audio equipment in the form of the AM/FM/CE/MP3/Sat system that has auxiliary input jacks with USB.  The list of standards continues with center console, solar glass, cloth seats, air bags, and on it goes.  From the LX, stepping up to the EX adds in things like an additional 5-speed automatic transmission option to choose from, and 16-inch tires are now an option.  The standard equipment on this model includes items such as dual body-color side mirrors with turn indicators, power windows, power door locks, a keyless entry system, and now there are six speakers to go with some tweeters mounted in the door.  Heated leather seats are an option at this level, and the 60/40 split rear folding seat that is now standard as well.    

The top of the line is our test Koup SX, which sits a little lower than would be expected from a factory car, so no need to look at those suspension kits.  Up front, the sport tuned suspension includes rack and pinion steering, as well as the front stabilizer bar. The rear setup is a torsion beam rear suspension.  The brakes include a Brake Assist System, Anti-lock Braking, and even an Electronic Brakeforce distribution system, with the all disk setup having nice 11.8-inch rotors up front.  There is the Electronic Stability Control, a Traction Control System, and the wheels are a nice looking 10-spoke alloy, measuring 7X17 that are wrapped in P215/45R17 rubber.  This combination looks great in a side profile view, especially from the front perspective, and even the rear view looks ‘fun’.  Slide behind the leather wrapped steering wheel, and it even feels good – so long as the road does.  This is a factory setup that a lot of aftermarket suspension kits work towards, so the sporty style carries a sporty ride.  On a decent road, the ride is a little stiff, kind’a like a sport car, to which my regular co-pilot seems not to mind, or even notice till I mention it while talking to myself.  Get on a rough road, and the ride soon becomes a concern that things might start to shake apart – and maybe parts of the car as well, since the bumps and thumps from the road take on a solid tone.  In an effort to provide full disclosure, as well as get another guy point of view, one of the captive riders did not think it a problem, and proceeded to explain how some of his buddies look like low-riders on steroids when they drive their modified compacts.  So, judging from the comments we got when we were out and about in the Koup, who we got them from, Kia seems to have done their homework.

The interior of any compact is…well…compact.  While there is a heated leather seat option, the standard sport cloth seats on the test SX includes a six-way adjustable driver seat that seems to provide a compromise between that sporty feel and a certain level of comfort.  The leather steering wheel and shift knob give the all black interior of our test driver some nice ‘upgraded’ style, while the metal-finish trim and metal pedals balanced with a sport style.  There is a center console that provides storage, along with dual cup holders, 12v power outlets, and there are some really nice accents throughout the interior.  The gauge package is LED ‘red’, as is the audio display in the center stack, and as a nice touch, the door mounted speakers have a matching red LED accent that is controllable – set it to blink it to the music, or even better, use it as adjustable mood lighting.  Parked on a deserted back road, the optional sun roof open to a full Texas moon, Barry White coming across the universe, and now a little mood lighting…

As part of the styling, the red interior accents match up nicely with the Racing Red exterior color of the test vehicle, and combines to help build-in that fun factor.  Of course, fun takes a lot of different roads, but most include enough power to get there.  The test SX comes with a 2.4L 16-valuve DOHC 4-cylinder, that is mated to a 5-speed automatic, which is the option over the standard issue 6-speed manual.  While the SX has ample power, even with the auto, it might be more fun with the stick, as this much fun styling seems to create the expectation of more output from under the hood than the 173 horses provide.  Of course, this translates into less input at the gas pump, with the test SX carrying an EPA fuel estimate of 23 city and 31 highway.

Along with the Racing Red exterior color, the gloss black grille contributes to the low down performance look of a wide bodied car that is becoming popular.  There are also fog lights and the body color side mirrors to contribute to this affect, along with a set of chrome (sorry, the term ‘bright’ just does not do it justice) exhaust tips to complete the sport look.

Of course fun is fun until someone gets hurt, as my mother says.  The Forte Koup SX comes with a long list of safety items that run from dual front advanced airbags, down through full-length side curtain airbags, and on into front active headrests.  There are side-impact door beams, as well as front and rear crumple zones, and even the lower anchor and tether system for children.    

The test vehicle is the Kia Forte Coup SX, with a fun Racing ‘write-me-a-ticket’ Red exterior color that carries a base price of $18,695.00, and with the optional power sun roof, our test ride rolls out at $19,395 MSRP.