The Kia Forte received ratings of “Good” (the highest achievable) in front, side, rear and rollover impact crash tests – something that safety-minded buyers will surely appreciate. This gives the Kia’s Forte more ammo to compete head on with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, its two main competitors, which have also been dubbed as Top Safety Picks by IIHS. Curiously, only the sedan was mentioned in the IIHS study, so we can’t say if this prestigious honor carries over to the two-door coupe Koup. Hit the jump to read the full IIHS press release.

Press Release:

IRVINE, Calif., April 20 /PRNewswire/ — Following in the footsteps of the 2010 Soul urban passenger vehicle, the 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan has been recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with a 2010 “Top Safety Pick” award in the Small Car category. The new Forte, which replaced Kia’s popular Spectra model, received the organization’s top honor by earning “Good” ratings – the highest achievable – in frontal, side, rear and rollover impact crash safety tests. The Sedona minivan was chosen as a “Top Safety Pick” shortly after its launch in 2006.

“The Kia brand is growing rapidly in the U.S. thanks to new vehicles such as the Forte that embody our core philosophies of quality, value, style and safety,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of Kia Motors America (KMA). “Forte offers buyers a youthful and dynamically styled vehicle with an impressive array of standard safety features, and being honored as an IIHS ‘Top Safety Pick’ award winner furthers its position as a top contender in its segment and a vehicle that offers consumers the entire package.”

Ratings from the Institute are based on results from frontal, side and rear impact crash tests, and for the first time a good performance in a roof strength test to measure protection in a rollover also was required to win. Each vehicle’s overall evaluation was based on various measurements specific to each crash angle, and overall impact on crash test dummies inside the vehicle at the time of collision. All vehicles must have electronic stability control available to be eligible.

Available in three trims, LX, EX and SX, pricing for the Forte sedan starts at $13,695 for the LX trim, while the EX begins at $15,995 and the SX starts at $17,495(1). In addition to competitive pricing, Forte also showcases a class-leading combination of standard safety features with active front headrests, advanced two-stage airbags, front seat-mounted and side curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with an antilock brake system (ABS), brake assist (BAS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), a traction control system (TCS) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

All Forte models also come well-stocked with a long list of standard amenities, starting with a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service(2). Also standard on all models is an auxiliary audio input jack and USB port for connecting personal MP3 players as well as Bluetooth®(3) wireless technology and connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls, which enables hands-free operation for all compatible mobile phones.

The Kia has announced a new ‘R’ package of its Forte Koup model with styling and performance accessories for the SX model. The bad new for fans: the ‘R’ package is available only to Canadian customers.

The package includes a pair of front lip spoiler, chunky side skirts and a discreet boot lid spoiler. The two-door model’s looks are complemented by a set of neat 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohoma S-drive tires, and ‘R’ branded badges and door sills.

While the R treatment does nothing to the Koup SX’s 173-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, it does add a sport exhaust, AEM air filter, new springs that lower the ride height by 1.3” and a strut bar to improve handling.

The Forte Koup’s ‘R’ package will be available in Canada as a dealer-installed kit starting from mid-May.

Look at the first media presentation, created for 2009 New York Auto Show, where Kia Forte Koup will make debut.
Kia Forte Koup will be available in the US from this summer with a choice of two four-cylinder engines, a 2.0-liter unit with 156HP and a 2.4-liter producing 173HP. .

Meet the new Kia Forte. Kia Motors released the first official pics of the its new model. The Forte’s mission is replacement for now Spectra/Cerato. The 2009 Forte will arrive into Korean showrooms on August 22.

The Forte was penned by acclaimed designer Peter Schreyer, who was responsible for designing the first-generation Audi TT and Volkswagen New Beetle. It is one of the brand’s first models to carry its new sharper corporate look. One of the main elements of the new look is the corporate grille found on the KOUP Concept, KEE Concept, and now the Forte. The rear resembles the Hyundai Elantra and vaguely, the Lexus IS.

The Forte will be powered by a brand new 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. A more powerful 2.0-liter 4-cyliner engine will be released after the launch. The Forte will roll into U.S. showrooms in 2009, and a two-door variant will follow some months later.