In its never-ending quest to distinguish itself from the rest of the pack, Kia has labeled its sporty 2-door Euro-styled Forte the Forte Koup. Redesigned in 2014, the coupe/Koup joins its sedan and hatchback iterations in offering only one notable change for the 2015 model year. That change, believe it or not, is a slight—a very slight, but nonetheless appreciated—drop in MSRP. Of course, this is an effort on Kia’s part to establish the latest Forte trio as the lowest-priced vehicles in their market segment.
But don’t worry, all the sportiness and agility are still there in the 2015 Koup trims, as are the upgraded bells and whistles, winsome looks and peppy powerplants. Again coming in entry-level EX and turbocharged SX iterations, the Forte Koup remains toting only a front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration, but it boasts a significant stretching and widening of the frame in that 2014 redo that results in even more passenger room, especially for rear-seat denizens, along with some 13.3 cubic feet of trunk space. No, it doesn't have as much hauling area as its sedan and hatchback cohorts, but it’s better than the previous generation’s 12.6 cubic feet.
Power-wise, look for the base Koup EX to tote the traditional 2.0-liter normally aspirated inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine of yore. Mated with either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the available 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, this pint-size powerplant puts out a decent 173 hp and 154 lb-ft of torque. Mileage numbers, meantime, remain 24 mpg city/33 highway in stick-shift versions, while automatic-packing iterations boast 25/34.
For more oomph over the asphalt, look for the Koup SX to flaunt a 201-hp turbocharged I4 that combines with either the delivered 6-speed manual or the optional 6-speed shiftable automatic to pound out 195 lb-ft of torque. Mileage numbers in the stick-shift variant remain 22/29, with the automatic-toting version again estimated at 22/30. Oh, and both drivetrains boasting the available automatic transmission sport steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Standard appearance bling and creature comforts in the EX for 2015 continue to impress, with 16-inch alloy wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors outside and premium cloth upholstery, keyless power door locks and power windows gracing the inside. Further upscale appointments in this base trim include cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and air conditioning, along with the cooled storage bin introduced in 2014. Entertainment, meantime, still consists of a single-CD player with 6 speakers, as well as satellite radio and a USB connection, while standard Bluetooth hands-free calling also returns.
To this, the 2015 Forte Koup SX adds a standard sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED taillights, a rear-view camera, push-button start and Kia’s touted UVO eServices with an integrated information display and Internet-grabbing smartphone apps.
Options for both iterations of the next-gen 2015 Forte Koup include a power sunroof, a navigation system, heated front and rear seats (with power-adjustable driver’s seat), memory for driver's settings and a 4.2-inch vehicle information display. Further options for both trims include dual-zone auto climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with integrated remote garage door opener, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats and leather-trimmed upholstery. Alas, adding any of the above extras to this competent coupe means kissing Kia’s meager-but-nonetheless-appreciated price cut goodbye
Finally, standard safety features in this reborn 2-door include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags and front side-mounted airbags. LED daytime running lights also come standard on both Koup trims, as do front fog/driving lights and LED turn-signal-integrated mirrors, while each trim remains eligible for available high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights.
2015 Kia Forte Koup 84K miles. At stop lights and backing up it seems like my car is making a whirring or purring noise. Like fighting for its life, It’s almost like my car wants to die. Or when I’m backing up it sounds like it could also die out too. Like skipping/bucking/purring noises. Not sure how else to describe. Does this make sense to anyone?
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: sunglasses holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Exterior Features
Door handle color: black · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 4.2 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent