Kia: What's New for 2010

2010 Kia Amanti: No Amanti is planned for the 2010 model year.

2010 Kia Borrego: No 2010 Borrego is planned for U.S. production, but production continues in other markets. The Borrego will carry on in the U.S. lineup, but for now dealers will continue to sell 2009 stock.

2010 Kia Forte: Billed as the replacement to the now-dead Kia Spectra, the all-new Forte compact sedan has the right stuff to legitimately compete against perennial favorites like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Available in LX, EX and SX trims, the 2010 Kia Forte LX and EX use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 156 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque, coupled with either a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. Ordering the EX's Fuel Economy package changes out the four-speed auto for a more efficient five-speed automatic. The SX has a larger 2.4-liter four rated at 173 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission or the same optional five-speed automatic as the EX.

Standard equipment on the base LX includes 15-inch steel wheels, a six-way-adjustable driver seat, a tilt steering column, Bluetooth connectivity and a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with USB and auxiliary audio jacks. The EX adds air-conditioning, full power accessories, a six-speaker layout for the sound system, cruise control and a 60/40-split folding rear seat with a center armrest and adjustable rear headrests. The SX tacks on a larger 2.4-liter engine, a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, wider tires, foglights, a tilt-telescoping steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an enhanced gauge cluster, a trip computer, unique cloth upholstery and metallic interior trim.

Options on the LX include air-conditioning and the split-folding rear seat, but power accessories are unavailable. The EX has an expanded range of options, including a sunroof, 16-inch alloy wheels and leather upholstery with heated front seats. A Fuel Economy package adds a five-speed automatic transmission, electric power steering, low-rolling-resistance tires and aerodynamic enhancements. SX options are limited to the sunroof and heated leather seats. Notably, the SX's standard tilt-telescoping steering column cannot be specified on the LX and EX trims, which offer tilt only.

For most Forte trim levels, fuel economy is above average for the small car segment. LX and EX models (with either transmission) have a 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined EPA estimate. Opting for the Fuel Economy package bumps the EX's figures to 27/36/30 mpg. The more powerful Forte SX has a less impressive 22/32/26 mpg rating.

2010 Kia Optima: Kia's midsize Optima sedan received a substantial makeover for 2009, so changes this year are minimal. A push-button start/smart key is now standard on the Optima SX. Optional 16-inch alloy wheels are newly designed, a blacked-out lower rear bumper distinguishes V6 models and a new overhead interior light brightens the cabin.

2010 Kia Rio: The subcompact Kia Rio receives a mild face-lift for 2010, including new exterior dressing including body-color front bumper, grille and black bezel headlamps, body-color side molding for the LX and SX trims, and revised body-color rear bumper and exposed exhaust outlet. New integrated side mirror turn signal indicators are standard on the LX and SX, while the SX also gets new alloy wheels, a chrome exhaust tip and alloy pedals.

A revised steering wheel, metal-finish gauge cluster, a new gearshift knob and red-orange interior lighting, and a second front power outlet in the LX and SX dress up the little car's interior.

A tire-pressure monitoring system and new EcoMinder indicator complete the minor mechanical changes.

2010 Kia Rondo: Kia's tall five-passenger Rondo receives only minor changes this year including integrated side mirror turn signal indicators and new wheel designs, 16-inch alloys for the LX Plus package and 17-inch alloys for the EX trim. A third-row seat is now standard on the Rondo, as is the EcoMinder indicator on the instrument panel.

Final changes include an available rear back-up camera feature as part of the EX Premium package and a trip computer in the LX Plus package.

2010 Kia Sedona: Kia adds a couple of important features to its popular minivan for 2010, including a standard back-up warning system on the long-wheelbase LX and EX, and an available rearview back-up camera as an option on the LX and standard on the top-of-the-line EX. New chrome accents, body-color moldings and a rear spoiler help to further distinguish the EX trim. The minivan's 3.8-liter V6 engine has also been recalibrated to improve fuel economy, although the 2010 Sedona's fuel economy rating hasn't yet been released.

2010 Kia Sorento: No 2010 model is planned, while Kia prepares to launch an all-new 2011 Sorento.

2010 Kia Soul: An all-new model for this year, the 2010 Kia Soul is a four-door hatchback/wagon (think Scion xB) available in four trim levels called base, +, ! and Sport. Riding on a heavily modified Rio platform, the base Kia Soul gets a 1.6-liter four-cylinder rated at 122 hp and 115 lb-ft of torque, and available with a five-speed manual transmission. The upper trim levels use a 2.0-liter inline-4 with 142 hp and 137 lb-ft of torque. The five-speed manual is standard, but a four-speed automatic is optional.

Standard equipment on the boxy, new Soul includes 15-inch steel wheels, rear drum brakes, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a tilt steering column, a 60/40-split rear seat and a four-speaker stereo (with CD/MP3 player, satellite radio and USB and auxiliary audio jacks). The Soul + adds a bigger engine, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, cruise control, keyless entry, tinted rear windows, a height-adjustable driver seat, glow-in-the-dark upholstery, Bluetooth, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and additional speakers.

Optional on the Soul + are a sunroof, foglights and an upgraded audio system. Those options are included on the Soul!, along with 18-inch wheels and inspired two-tone upholstery. The Soul Sport is similar to the Soul! but has the upgraded audio system as standard, a sport-tuned suspension, a red-and-black two-tone interior and unique exterior trim details. The sunroof is optional on the Sport.

Standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes (front-wheel discs on the base Soul, four-wheel discs on all other trims), stability control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags.

Fuel economy is tracked at 26/31 mpg (city/highway) for the 1.6-liter, and 24/30 mpg for 2.0-liter equipped Souls regardless of transmission.

2010 Kia Sportage: Not much has changed for Kia's Sportage SUV this year. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are new on the EX trim, and rear park assist has been added to the EX Luxury package. A new illuminated visor vanity mirror, standard eight-way driver seat adjustment and an EcoMinder indicator for automatic transmission-equipped Sportages complete the SUV's updates.