So I'm back in my native Northeast this week, and I've managed to procure a 2010 Kia Forte Koup SX for the occasion, replete with California plates. Yes, I already wrote a Test Drive on the Koup, but I've rarely felt this conflicted about a car. "Hey, Kia," I wrote in that review. "Crank up the horsepower or smooth out the ride; then we'll talk." But I also remembered the Koup SX fondly for its cheeky styling and sharp handling, including a remarkable 68.5-mph slalom run (that's 1.4 mph faster than the GTI can manage). Some additional seat time was clearly in order.
Having now spent the past six days navigating New England's winding rural roads in this intriguing Kia, I've got some thoughts to share. Three of 'em, in fact.
3. Feels solid.
I've noticed that people have a tendency to lump Korean and Japanese cars together when they're talking about driving character. That's a mistake. Contemporary Hyundai and Kia models sometimes seem more Germanic than Japanese, from their tall gearing and muted cabins to their substantial feel over the road. The Koup SX is a case in point. It loafs at 2,000-3,000 rpm on the highway while keeping tire roar at bay, and it tracks more like a freight train than an economy car. Good luck approximating that in a Civic Si.
2. Has character.
The Koup looks great from the outside, I think, and while I stand by my claim that it's "surprisingly generic inside for such a stylish car," the cabin's not without some neat touches. There's Kia's trademark illuminated speaker surrounds, of course, which are operated via a flipdown panel (right) similar to where the mirror controls live in the Lexus GS. You can set the surrounds to pulsate in time to the beat, or you can leave them throbbing independently at a set frequency, Dirty Dancing style ("Ga-gung...ga-gung..."). The enormous metal footrest inspires confidence, and the automatic shift lever moves through its gates with Benz-like solidity and crispness. (I've been curious about the six-speed manual, but an automatic was all they had this time.) The Civic Si-style seats are robustly supportive. I wish Kia had gone with a more distinctive dashboard design, but certain details have obviously been sweated nonetheless.
1. Could use more motor.
As impressed as I am with the Forte Koup SX overall, I still think it needs more power. Actually, I'd like to see two versions of it: base SX, with softer suspension tuning and the current 2.4-liter, 173-horsepower four, and SX-R, with the current suspension tuning and, say, the new direct-injected 200-hp four from the Hyundai Sonata. But that base SX would probably be overkill, since Kia's already got a 2.0-liter Koup (in LX or EX trim) without the sport-tuned suspension for the non-enthusiast crowd. So how about just dropping that new 200-hp four into the Koup SX? It'd give the Koup the kind of sauce that a 68.5-mph slalom performance warrants, and the Civic Si might really have something to worry about. Don't be surprised if Kia actually does something like this within a year or three.
Parting questions: How do you feel about the Forte Koup? Would you feel better about it if it had more power? How do you think it stacks up against other sporty $20,000-ish coupes? Inquiring mind wants to know.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor
By sabastian
on January 29, 2010
05:42 AM
Parting questions:
1) How do you feel about the Forte Koup?
It's interesting...but not much more.
2) Would you feel better about it if it had more power?
Yes, but I'd also want a new interior.
3) How do you think it stacks up against other sporty $20,000-ish coupes?
I'd still go for a Civic Si because even if the Forte Koup got more power, it still wouldn't have THAT noise or THAT gearbox.
By gharry
on January 29, 2010
06:10 AM
1) I saw it/sat in it at the wimpy Orlando Auto Show and think it looks and feels fantastic. I'd love to try one out.
2) Definitely for the SX. It should have at least 200HP these days. The HP difference between the two models isn't enough.
3) I think it's a serious contender with the Civic, although I'd have to try it's manual transmission to be sure. I think it looks better (although it certainly borrows from the Civic's design)
By cruiserhead1
on January 29, 2010
07:39 AM
Nice followup article!
I agree w/ the Germanic comment and that photo especially, reminds me of a cleaner version of a Jetta... but the Koup is a lot better looking.
Kia did a great job on the car and something in this class isn't going to be a torque monster anyway, so ultimately, I think everyday driving is going to be far more important to buyers.
Meat of the power seems in the right place and it handles great. It looks great, feels solid and is a great price.
For a lot of people, that's more than a Civic offers.
I didn't mind the interior. I thought it was nice enough. Certainly better than that ridiculous double stacked Civic dash.
Plus, that "solid" feel compared to Honda's "lightweight-toy" feel is no small thing. I think it's a great observation that buyers are sure to pick up on.
By greenpony
on January 29, 2010
09:50 AM
So should you compare the Forte with a Jetta?
By carlisimo
on January 29, 2010
10:25 AM
It’s a matter of preference. I can understand the appeal of that “solid” feel, but it isn’t for me. I want to feel like I’m flying.
By crowb
on January 29, 2010
10:51 AM
I love the exterior styling, but I think the Civic Si has more personality as some others have suggested. The Si has that engine and that wonderful gear box. It also seems like Kia just gave up about halfway through designing the interior. It needs a more integrated, futuristic look to match the exterior.
I do like the speaker lights though...
By moparbad
on January 29, 2010
01:33 PM
It is embarrassing how good the Koup is compared to Chevrolet Cobalt coup.
GM is a slow learner.
I give Kia a 7 out of 10 for it's effort to match the goodness of the Civic.
By estreka
on January 30, 2010
04:16 AM
You're absolutely right. The Koreans do take after the Germans in their newer models. I noticed it when I test drove the Genesis and the Genesis coupe.
By firstwagon
on January 30, 2010
04:15 PM
I'm at a loss to understand the reason for buying a "koup" version of the car but it does look like a good alternative to the Civic. (Personally I would buy the much roomer Soul for the same price).
By tonupboi
on February 1, 2010
05:57 AM
One thing I've learned about auto reviewers over the last forty years is that they all fall back on that same old tiresome bleat:
More power . . . . . more power, more power, more power.
Long ago came to the conclusion that auto reviewers need to have a 36hp Volkswagen Beetle in their garages as their main transportation - just for a touch of reality.
The Koup sounds like a really nice car, with reasonable power for 99% of the potential buyers. Auto reviewers excepted, of course.
By SadButTrue
on February 1, 2010
01:07 PM
@tonupboi,
My point was that the Koup's dynamic abilities -- notably its 68.5-mph slalom speed -- call for more power. I can't think of another car this slow (0-60 in 8.4 seconds) that slaloms this quickly. It's a chassis in search of a motor, plain and simple. People who fully appreciate the Koup's handling are going to want more juice.
-Sadlier