Refreshed 2017 Kia Forte on the Way, Full-Size Crossover Likely

From compacts to hybrids and (most likely) a full-size crossover, Kia is expanding its U.S. presence, we learned at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. As the 2017 Kia Sportage crossover made its U.S. debut, we spoke with Orth Hedrick, the vice president of product planning at Kia Motors America, about the brand’s future.

Behind the Optima and Soul in sales is the Forte compact lineup, which is offered as a sedan, coupe, and hatch. The refreshed 2017 Kia Forte will debut at an auto show in the next few months, we learned, and will continue the trend of offering technology formerly reserved for premium cars at a sub-$30,000 price. Beyond the expected face-lifted styling, the 2017 Forte could offer active safety tech on higher trim levels. Other 2017 Forte features may include a navigation system on an 8-inch screen and HID headlights with a Dynamic Bending Light adaptive headlight feature (like the 2017 Elantra). A 147-hp 2.0-liter I-4 with 132 lb-ft of torque could serve as the base engine, with a version of the 2017 Elantra’s new turbocharged 1.4-liter I-4 (128 hp, 156 lb-ft) also available, and a more powerful turbo-four might arrive on a coupe or hatch. Although the Elantra Coupe has been discontinued at Hyundai, Hedrick notes that the Forte’s three body styles (and three engines) help distinguish it from some competitors.

“For us, it was a point of difference because we were able to offer a lot of choice in the marketplace,” Hedrick says. “There are pockets where the [hatchback] and there are other pockets where the coupe does well, but probably the majority of the line is the sedan.”

Kia will sell its six-millionth vehicle in the U.S. this month after just over 20 years in the U.S. The upcoming Niro—a crossover-like vehicle that’s coming our way—will be offered only as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid.

And while we still think a smartly priced crossover version of the Kia Soul makes sense, the automaker’s crossover lineup could expand on the top end, too. When the new Sorento, with its occasional-use third-row doesn’t do the job, a Honda Pilot competitor may be on the way—Hedrick tells us to stay tuned on that front. The Borrego previously served this space in the late 2000s, but a more onroad-focused model could give Sorento owners a step up in space when a minivan is out of the question. Through the first 10 months of 2015, the Sorento is up 12 percent, at 94,354 units; and the Sportage is up 20 percent.

About the continued popularity of crossovers of all sizes, Hedrick says “this trend’s not going away.”

After 20 years in the U.S., Kia’s main focus continues to be changing public perception of the brand. A six-cylinder K900 for the 2016 model year—possibly with a base price just below $50,000—could continue that effort, as could a refreshed 2017 Forte, the upcoming Cadenza, the Niro, and a profit-making full-size three-row crossover.

How many of those products will catch on with consumers remains to be seen, but tell us: What upcoming Kia are you looking forward to seeing?

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