Kia has announced pricing for its unlikely new sport compact, and we’re impressed. The 2020 Kia Forte GT starts at $23,215.
This price will get you a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission paired to a 1.6-liter turbo-four making 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Interestingly, if you want a six-speed manual, you’ll pay $600 more. At its starting price, the Forte GT is considerably less expensive than the 2020 Hyundai Elantra Sport ($24,730), 2019 Honda Civic Si sedan ($25,230), and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI ($26,890).
Kia is promising quite a few features on its humble-compact-turned-performance-car. LED headlights, a sport tuned dual exhaust, and two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels are part of the formula. The model also gets a sportier suspension tune complete with larger anti-roll bars, and available 225/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires. Inside, look for red contrast stitching, smart key with push-button start, and LED ambient lighting. Standard safety features include forward collision warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and driver attention warning.
If you don’t need 201 hp, the standard Forte starts at $18,715 in the base FE trim, while the loaded EX model can be had for $22,915. The mid-level GT-Line, priced from $21,315, features sporty cosmetic upgrades without the performance goodies. These vehicles come with a 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, paired to a six-speed manual that’s standard on the base model, or a CVT that’s standard on every other trim.
We can’t wait to find out how the GT stacks up to the Elantra Sport and Civic Si , and the standard Forte, when we get it on the road.
Source: Kia
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