Kia announced today prices for the 2010 Forte compact sedan. It will be available in three trim levels (LX, EX and SX) and will go on sale this summer with prices starting from $13,695 for the LX trim, from $15,795 for the EX and from $17,195 for the SX.

Forte LX and EX are powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, that delivers 156 hp and 144 lbs-ft of torque, that features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection. The SX features an upgraded 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, also with CVVT, which delivers 173 hp.

Press release after the jump.

Press release

Kia Motors America (KMA) today launched the all-new 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan in Seattle. On sale in North America early this summer, Forte is the first of its kind to offer consumers an impressive combination of standard safety, comfort and convenience features.

Available in three trim levels (LX, EX and SX), Forte sports a bold look set apart by crisp lines, swept-back headlamps and a sleek profile, and exudes a wide, stable stance that conveys motion both while cruising the highway and parked in the driveway.

Pricing for the all-new compact sedan will start at $13,695(1) for the LX trim, while the Forte EX begins at $15,795. Moving up to the SX trim, pricing begins at $17,195.

With a wheelbase of 104.3 inches, an overall length of 178.3 inches, an overall width of 69.9 inches and overall height of 57.5 inches, Forte offers comfortable seating for up to five passengers. The Kia-engineered body achieves high torsional stiffness giving Forte taut, responsive handling, a smoother ride quality and greater refinement than its competitors, with a specially tuned, Kia-developed suspension adjusted perfectly for responsive handling.

With one of the roomiest interiors in the segment, Forte boasts a spacious 96.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, while driver and passengers have an impressive 40.0 inches of headroom and 43.3 inches of legroom in the front seats and 37.8 inches of headroom and 35.0 inches of legroom in the rear seats. Forte's trunk also offers a best-in-class 14.7 cubic feet of cargo space.

Forte pampers its riders with a host of interior features, starting with comfortable, nicely appointed full cloth seats. A six-way adjustable driver's seat, tilt steering column, rear defroster and dual 12-volt power outlets in the center console are driver- and passenger-conscious luxuries standard on every vehicle.

EX and SX models offer standard features including: power windows and door locks; remote keyless entry; air conditioning; map lamps; steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls; tweeter speakers; dual front and rear cup holders; and floor mats.

The SX model brings even more standard features, including a unique black interior with sport cloth fabric adorned with red stitching, a telescoping steering column, Supervision(TM) gauge cluster, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and metal-finish trim and pedals.

Forte LX and EX are powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, producing a class-leading 156 horsepower(2) and 144 pound-feet of torque, that features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection. The SX features an upgraded 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, also with CVVT, which delivers 173 horsepower(3) - more powerful and with better fuel economy than the Mazda3s and Corolla XRS.

Four transmission options are offered for the 2010 Forte: a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission (LX and EX models). The SX model features a standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional five-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic(R).

Offering impressive fuel economy, the 2.0-liter engine offers a competitive 25/34 mpg (city/highway) when mated to either the five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions, while the 2.4-liter engine turns out a notable 22/32 mpg when paired with the six-speed manual and 23/31 with the five-speed automatic.

The optional Fuel Economy Package, available on the EX model with the 2.0-liter powerplant, includes the five-speed automatic transmission and offers 27/36 mpg with a class-leading combined fuel economy of 30 mpg.

Forte comes standard with a four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service(4), as well as an auxiliary audio input jack and USB port for connecting personal MP3 players as well as Bluetooth(R) connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls, which enables hands-free operation for all compatible cell phones.

Forte offers a class-leading level of standard safety equipment, with features such as front active headrests, dual advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted and side curtain airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, side impact door beams, front and rear crumple zones, four-wheel disc brakes with an Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BAS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a Traction Control System (TCS), and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).