2014 Kia Forte 5-Door Comes in 201HP and 173HP Guises [Photos & Videos]

One of the main attractions of the 2013 Chicago Auto Show is the all-new Kia Forte 5-door. Earlier today, we posted the first images of the 2014 Forte hatchback but now Kia has released all the details – and it’s more than a pretty face.

Designed at Kia’s design studio in Seoul under the direction of the company’s President and global chief designer Peter Schreyer, the Forte 5-door is, like its sedan sibling, sportier and more attractive than its predecessor is.

The compact hatch sports an aggressive front end with a wide central air intake, slim “tiger tooth” grille and LED daytime-running lights, a profile that features a distinctive sweeping line and LED taillights and twin chrome exhausts.

According to Kia, the 2014 Forte features more premium interior materials and new gadgetry such as a large touchscreen for the available infotainment and navigation system.

Sales are set to begin in the third quarter of the year and the Forte will hit Kia’s showrooms in two versions. The EX is powered by a 2.0-liter GDI engine with 173HP and 154 lb-ft (209 Nm) of torque and rides on 16-inch wheels with 205/55 tires.

The SX can lay claim to being the most powerful Forte to date as, under its hood nestles a 1.6-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder with an output of 201HP and 195 lb-ft (264 Nm) of torque available between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm.

Power is transmitted to the front 18-inch wheels wrapped in 225/40 rubber via a six-speed automatic transmission. A sports-tuned McPherson front and multi-link rear sports-tuned suspension promise that it is put to good use.

“We received very positive feedback after the all-new Forte sedan made its debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, and we expect the all-new Forte 5-door will build upon that success”, said Kia Motors America executive vice president of marketing Michael Sprague. “The combination of a useful hatchback for carrying cargo and the sportiness of the turbocharged SX trim make the all-new Forte 5-door a dual threat in the segment.”

You can scroll down to view the image gallery and videos of the 2014 Forte 5-door in action.

By Andrew Tsaousis

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