Redesigned Compact Offers Lowest Base Price in the Segment at $15,900¹

• Forte’s European-influenced styling and premium amenities advance Kia’s value proposition to new levels of sophistication
• All-new compact sedan is packed with cutting-edge technologies, including Kia’s next-generation UVO in-vehicle infotainment and telematics system with eServices to begin arriving in the next 30 days

IRVINe, Calif., Mar. 20, 2013 – Value has long been a hallmark of the Kia brand, and the all-new 2014 Forte sedan is no exception as it will carry the lowest starting MSRP in the compact segment at $15,900, plus $800 in destination charges.  The lower, longer and wider Forte will offer a sportier and more upscale design, better performance, greater interior space and a wider array of premium amenities than its predecessor when it goes on sale within the next 30 days.  Offered in LX and EX variants, the Forte will be propelled by either an efficient 1.8-liter 148-horsepower engine or a more powerful 2.0-liter 173-horsepower GDI unit.  Fuel economy for the 2.0-liter powerplant is 24 miles per gallon city/36 highway/28 combined².

“The all-new Forte offers our customers world-class design with plenty of refinement and an abundance of amenities, all at a tremendous value,” said Tom Loveless, executive vice president of sales, KMA.  “With its sleek and sporty profile, two new powertrains and redesigned, driver-centric cockpit, the Forte is primed to become a standout in the very competitive compact segment.”

The 2014 Forte is offered in three models:  LX with a 1.8-liter engine and manual transmission starting at $15,900; LX with a 1.8-liter engine and automatic transmission with a base price of $17,400¹; and EX with a 2.0-liter GDI powerplant and automatic transmission beginning at $19,400¹.  The destination charge for all three models is an additional $800.  

The 2014 Forte's residual is one of the highest in its segment at 64% and has improved nearly 13 points over the outgoing model according to ALG (Mar.-Apr. Adv. Listing 36-mo. residual), an industry leader in residual value forecasting.  ALG also reported the outgoing 2013 Forte residual improved YOY from 47.4% to 51.2%, an impressive feat before the all-new redesign launched (Jan.-Feb. Adv. Listing 2013MY 36-mo. residual).

As the star of Kia’s popular “Hot Bots” Super Bowl ad this year, the all-new Forte represents one of the best small car technology values on the road.  Slotted between the Rio sub-compact sedan and the best-selling Optima mid-size sedan, the all-new Forte arrives with class-up amenities and an all new chassis.

Unexpected Premium Features
Offered in LX and EX trim levels, the all-new Forte proudly carries on Kia’s reputation for offering premium features that redefine automotive segments.  The base LX model comes standard with steering wheel-mounted audio controls, SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio³, Bluetooth^® wireless technology⁴, power windows, air conditioning and heated power-folding mirrors among the many features that make the Forte stand out from its competition.  The optional Popular Package (LX A/T only) adds 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, keyless entry with remote trunk release and a sliding front armrest. 

Stepping up to the EX trim brings a more robust 2.0-liter GDI engine with Sportmatic^® shifting and broadens Forte’s appeal with additional comfort and convenience features.  Kia’s next-generation UVO in-vehicle infotainment and telematics system with eServices is standard and can now be integrated with an optional navigation system.  Additional standard EX features include remote keyless entry with trunk opener, Rear Camera Display⁵, a sliding center armrest and a cooling glove box.  The new optional FlexSteer™ system allows the driver to choose between three distinct steering profiles: Comfort, Normal and Sport.  Features found on the optional Premium Package include heated front and rear seats, a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with class-exclusive air-cooled ventilation, leather seat trim, power sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels and push button start with Smart Key and a heated steering wheel.  Opting for the Technology Package, adds HID headlights, LED tail lights, a 4.2-inch color LCD cluster screen and dual-zone automatic temperature control with rear center ventilation.

Kia:  One of the World’s Fastest Moving Global Automotive Brands
Kia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time.  With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and the lowest cost of ownership in the industry.  Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand’s “Top 100 Best Global Brands,” and is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.  Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 11,000 plant and supplier jobs.  The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry’s largest segments has fueled Kia’s rapid growth and is complemented by Kia’s comprehensive lineup which includes the Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, 5-door and Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 765 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA.  In 2012, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and gained U.S. market share for the 18th consecutive year.  Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit http://www.kiamedia.com/.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts