Kia Motors has launched the all-new 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan.

Pricing for the all-new compact sedan will start at $13,695 for the LX trim, while the Forte EX begins at $15,795 and the SX trim can be yours for $17,195.

Available in three trim levels – LX, EX and SX – Forte sports a bold look set apart by crisp lines, swept-back headlamps and a sleek profile, and exudes a wide, stable stance that conveys motion both while cruising the highway and parked in the driveway.

Forte offers seating for up to five passengers with 96.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, while driver and passengers have 40.0 inches of headroom and 43.3 inches of legroom in the front seats and 37.8 inches of headroom and 35.0 inches of legroom in the rear seats. Forte’s trunk offers 14.7 cubic feet of cargo space.

Interior features include cloth seats, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, tilt steering, rear defroster and dual 12-volt power outlets in the center console all standard.

EX and SX models offer standard features including: power windows and door locks; remote keyless entry; air conditioning; map lamps; steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls; tweeter speakers; dual front and rear cup holders; and floor mats.

The SX model brings even more standard features, including a unique black interior with sport cloth fabric adorned with red stitching, a telescoping steering column, Supervision gauge cluster, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and metal-finish trim and pedals.

Forte LX and EX are powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, producing a class-leading 156 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque, that features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection. The SX features an upgraded 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, also with CVVT, which delivers 173 horsepower – more powerful and with better fuel economy than the Mazda3s and Corolla XRS.

Four transmission options are offered for the 2010 Forte: a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission (LX and EX models). The SX model features a standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional five-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic.

The 2.0-liter engine offers 25/34 mpg in the five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, while the 2.4-liter engine turns out 22/32 mpg when paired with the six-speed manual and 23/31 with the five-speed automatic. The optional Fuel Economy Package, available on the EX model with the 2.0-liter powerplant, includes the five-speed automatic transmission and offers 27/36 mpg with a class-leading combined fuel economy of 30 mpg.

For more, click here to visit Kia.com.

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