CHANGES FOR 2013: - Kia no longer offers the manual transmission top-tier SX trim or the fully loaded version of the EX, doing away with the 2.0L EX MT + Sunroof trim and the 2.4L SX MT trim. - Those wanting a sunroof, luxury package or the larger capacity engine will need to accept Kia’s six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifter. Standard features remain unchanged on the sedan. Kia Forte five-door hatch and two-door Forte Koup are covered in separate Buyer’s Guide entries. The Forte Sedan is available with a 156-hp 2.0L DOHC four-cylinder producing 144 lb-ft of torque or a 173-hp 2.4L with 168 lb-ft of torque. Both come with Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) but the 2.4L sports the more advanced dual CVVT system. Both engines push front wheels riding on McPherson Strut suspension with coil springs with the SX given a sporting tweak to both ends. In sedan form the Forte is available in LX, LX Plus Auto, EX, EX Auto, SX and SX Luxury trims. There is no manual transmission available for the SX. The base model LX includes a 2.0L four-cylinder engine, manual transmission, 15-inch wheels with covers, P195/65R15 tires, four-wheel disc brakes, dual power and heated side mirrors, four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with Bluetooth connectivity plus USB and AUX inputs, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power windows, dual power outlets, six airbags (side curtain, seat curtain and front), active front headrests, Anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, traction control, and split fold rear seats. The automatic adds the ECO-Minder economy indicator. Remote keyless entry is optional. EX trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, P205/55R16 tires, cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, heated front seats, two front tweeters, remote keyless entry and heated front seats, and integrated turn signals in the wing mirrors. Power-tilt and sliding sunroof is optional on the automatic only. SX trim adds automatic transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, P215/45R17 tires, sport tuned suspension, leather seats, power tilt and sliding sunroof, automatic climate control, Supervision instrument cluster, SIRIUS satellite radio with three-month subscription, steering wheel–mounted paddle shifters, trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, metal colour interior accents, alloy sport pedals and automatic light control. SX Luxury boasts a smart key with push-button start, in-dash navigation, rear-view camera, and auto-dimming mirror.
