KIA’s all-new Forte now available in the PH with 3 body styles

The exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the country, Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), has recently unveiled the all-new Forte as it re-enters the competitive compact car category.

The all-new Forte that comes in 3 body styles in the form of a 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback, and a 2-door 'Koup', is slotted between the popular subcompact Rio and the midsized Optima. For that, the Korean automotive company believes that there's a Forte for the diverse in lifestyle and personality.

The exterior design of all 3 variants was focused on becoming more European-like. As it was being penned at Kia’s US-based design center in Irvine, California, the designers worked really hard on making the Forte as attractive and purposeful as possible. Outside, it looks strikingly modern and stylish complemented by the projector headlamps with daytime running lights, foglamps, and LED rear combination lamps.

The interior of the all-new Forte was recognized by long-time global automotive information hub WardsAuto including the car in their list of “10 Best Interiors”. A list based on the combination of technology, comfort, amenities and stylish elements. All 3 body styles inhibit these features following its high quality soft-touch materials, ergonomic dashboard, and a spacious cabin.

Forte Sedan

The Forte Sedan highlights elegance and versatility while being tagged as the most affordable model of the 3 at P965,000. It sits on a 2,700 mm wheelbase implicating that passengers get to enjoy more legroom on both front and rear rows. Meanwhile, the fabric seats provide plenty of lateral and back support for those long journeys out of town. It also has a wide-array of features including standard heated folding mirrors, glove box cooling, and an integrated touchscreen stereo system with 6 speakers. Families will also find the Forte Sedan reassuringly future proof for their growing family as it is already equipped with ISOFIX child anchors.

Underneath the hood lies an efficient Gamma 1.6L inline 4 cylinder engine producing 130 hp and 157 Nm of torque and comes mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with sports mode.

Forte Koup

Undeniably, the Forte Koup is the most stylish car in the range thanks to a more aggressive front fascia, swooping profile, and a large 17-inch alloy wheels. But mind you, this fun-to-drive 2-door version is also practical because it sits on the same wheelbase found on its sedan sibling.

The Forte Koup is also well-equipped like the sedan but tops it with the addition of a paddle shifter connected to the 6-speed automatic transmission and a more powerful NU 2.0L 4-cylinder engine producing 161 hp and 194 Nm of torque. All these goodies go for a price of P1,090,000.

Forte Hatchback

Although the Hatch is 220mm shorter than the Koup and 250mm than the Sedan, it remains to be commodious for 5 passengers. Combined with the large rear doors and 60:40 split and flat folding rear seats, the Forte hatch shines at versatility and cargo space. It also sets itself apart from the family with the inclusion of leather seats, alloy pedals, interior carbon fiber touches, and a more advanced audio system.

The same NU 2.0L 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission of the Forte Koup can be found powering this hatchback. Safety systems have also been improved, additions like the Parking Assist System, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, and Vehicle Stability Management now comes standard compared to the usual Dual SRS airbags and ABS found on the Forte sedan and the Forte Koup.

The Forte Hatchback is available for P1,190,000.

All body styles are equipped with a Smart Key (Push Start/Stop) system, Dual-Zone Full Auto Climate Control, steering mounted audio controls and cruise control, auto light control, and Kia’s patented FlexSteer system offering 3 levels of steering feel – Normal, Sport, and Comfort.