Kia launches 2009 Forte sedan

Kia’s new Forte sedan has finally gone on sale – launching in South Korea this weekend - following months of drip-fed teasers and a premature leak of official images. The new car draws heavily on the styling of the recently revealed Kia Koup concept and features a new, edgier look that’s expected to filter across to more models. The Forte also debuts the carmaker’s new corporate grille, which features a blacked out H-pattern with the Kia badge sitting center. The new sedan replaces the current Spectra (Cerato), Kia’s top-selling model in the U.S., and will eventually be offered as a coupe. A hatchback model will also be offered but this car has been ruled out for the North American market. The Forte is expected to go on sale by the middle of next year in other markets and will be followed by the new coupe several months later. It will initially come with two compact petrol engines, a 1.6L four-cylinder unit with 124hp (92kW) and a more powerful 2.0L unit to be announced later. A 128hp (95kW) 1.6L turbodiesel will also be offered in some markets. Furthermore, a turbocharged performance model as previewed by the Koup concept could also make an appearance. Inside, the Forte shows the upgraded interior design aesthetic that really took off with the C’eed, and what appear to be more premium materials, including soft-touch plastics and leather upholstery. While the Forte certainly doesn’t break any new ground in its interior design, it does show that Kia is intent on moving its vehicles up the ranks and changing perceptions about its quality. Upmarket features include satellite navigation, voice-recognition, active headrests and vehicle stability control. Kia has spent more than $200 million and 29 months developing the new car, and is predicting worldwide sales to top 250,000 units annually. 2009 Kia Forte sedan2009 Kia Forte sedanKia Forte leaked images

By Chris #1, Posted: 7/2/2008

wow... funny how it still looks like a civic, even in watered down production form. civic front, mitsu back.

kia,... still trying to impress by copying.
By mlevere1992 #2, Posted: 7/2/2008

Everything but the sides from the Eruope Accord....
By Joeshmo #3, Posted: 7/2/2008

why are you guys always negative against kia or hyundai
Similar design = business plan, and its working well lol
By Hedorah #4, Posted: 8/21/2008

All is an Acura TSX.
By Gus #5, Posted: 8/21/2008

It looks good. A good copy of various bits, but all around it looks good.

Funny how almost every car now has a starter button.

I'm sure it will be in every car eventually, but my friend still has trouble with his Corvette when his wife and him both get into the car at the same time, since the car doesn't know which settings to apply, his or hers.

And what if you lose the fob?

I'm waiting for the car that recognizes you by some other means, no key, no nothing.
By 94 Taurus owner #6, Posted: 8/21/2008

All I see is a Civic knockoff.
By 94 Taurus owner #7, Posted: 8/21/2008

*sigh* I'm going to miss the spectra.
By NoNameDenton #8, Posted: 8/21/2008

Guess Kia is seriosu about becoming the sporty young brand of the two while Hyundai focuses more on luxury.
By NoNameDenton #9, Posted: 8/21/2008

Guess what you guys, if you look close enough all cars now days look like other cars, so stop the oh it looks like this comments, find something original to say.
By putUrHandsUpqq #10, Posted: 8/22/2008

It looks similar to honda civic because the guy who designed the

civic designed this...
By putUrHandsUpqq #11, Posted: 8/22/2008

nevermind... he didn't
By james #12, Posted: 8/22/2008

i think it's a step in the right direction for kia. i like their new suv also, much better than it used to be. good going kia!
By NoNameDenton #13, Posted: 8/22/2008

Kia has made a lot of great strides, explains why they are now the 5th largest automaker, right behind Ford (4) and VW (3).
By cristian #14, Posted: 8/22/2008

De we care really? I will never buy these ugly cars.
By NoNameDenton #15, Posted: 8/22/2008

If they are so ugly, why is Hyundai-Kia selling so well? In your opinion it is ugly, other people have different views Mr. Generalizations.
By Quang-Anh Nguyen #16, Posted: 8/23/2008

Absolutely, This is a son of 2008 ACCORD
By Tony #17, Posted: 8/25/2008

No problem with this car. Kia (and Hyundai), which you couldn't have paid me to drive some 8 - 10 years ago, have improved so much you could actually see and feel it. Get behind an older Rio, then shut the door of the new Magentis/Optima for starters. Good effort. Look like something else? Doesn't almost everyone? At least Kia's copying the right bits in the right proportion. It's no Audi, but if it's competent enough, at least it isn't as bland as a Corolla. Engines could be a tad bigger especially with an automatic, but certainly adequate for most markets.
By amac #18, Posted: 8/25/2008

This is a great looking little car. I don't think it looks like the bland Honda Civic AT ALL, this car has way more more character and flair. If this were and Acura, some of you label snobs would be drooling all over it. Acura should be so lucky because their vehicles are dreadful looking these days, the new TL makes me want to hurl. I realize that Kia is not in the same league as Honda/Acura, but based on looks alone, the one's a winner.
By Mert #19, Posted: 9/4/2008

Karizma Karizma
by solo84 #20, Posted: 4/16/2009

GM could learn a thing or two from Hyundai/Kia
by alphasearch #21, Posted: 5/8/2009

If you are comparing this car to something already out there, do a Google image search for 2009 Ford Focus (US). The similarities are painfully apparent...