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Kias Forte: No longer just commuter cars
DRIVE--Kia-Pic-1a
The 2010 Kia Forte Sedan is turning heads just about everywhere it goes. - photo by JASON CAMPBELL
The days of Kia just being a commuter car are over.

With the release of the Kia Forte and the Soul over the course of the last year – two stylish models that have become hits with the younger generation – the Korean auto manufacturer is now making inroads into markets that were typically reserved for other foreign cars.

And they only keep improving the models that have been the focus of an industry buzz every since their release.

The 2010 Kia Forte Coupe – the first two-door car that Kia has ever released – just started rolling onto lots within the last few months. Special Edition models of the boxy and extremely popular Kia Soul have helped make the model one of the more sought-after cars by first-time buyers and those looking for the combination of style and reliability.

“The first thing that people realize when they see this car (the Forte Coupe) is how stylish it is, and that goes a long way with buyers,” said Kia Country Sales Manager Dan Espino. “Of course it’s still available with a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty that has helped make Kia famous.

“Now you’re able to get the style you’re looking for with the warranty that gives drivers the peace of mind that they want in a new vehicle.”

A sleek appearance is only intensified by wheels that match the color of the vehicle. It is something that people were previously forced to purchase after market for upwards of thousands of dollars on top of the cost of the car.

The Forte Coupe packs a whole lot more punch than just a stylish appearance and a warranty that puts almost every other competitor to shame.

When compared to rivals like the Toyota Corolla, the Honda Civic, and the Ford Focus, the Forte Coupe boasts the biggest standard gas tank, and the highest engine displacement while also being the only model of the three that includes standard satellite radio and auto-off headlights.

The roadside service plan that covers everything from the occasional flat tire to complimentary gas if the engine were to run out is also a first in its class – a line-up that includes some of the most popular vehicles ever produced.

“If you’re looking to get the best value for your dollar then the Kia Forte and the Forte Sedan are the only way to go,” Espino said. “All it takes is a quick drive to see how much you’ll love these models, and it’ll only be a matter of time before you’re driving one home.”

The Soul – which competes with two models of the Toyota Scion as well as the Nissan Versa – offers the same industry-leading warranty as well as incentives for new buyers.

For more information, or to schedule a test-drive today, visit Kia Country at 1515 N. Main Street, or give them at a call at 239-6203. You can also visit them on the web at www.kiacountry.com.