I’m not trying to pick on Nissan, but here’s something interesting: In July, 2010, sales of the very large Nissan Armada SUV above were up 311.4%. Sales of the Xterra SUV were up 56.6%. On the flip side, sales of the subcompact Nissan Cube were down 54%. Sales of the equally subcompact Nissan Versa were down 9.4%. This isn’t meant to bash SUVs—I’m not an SUV hater—it’s meant to show that in July, 2010, sales of large vehicles were up, and sales of small cars were down, and not just at Nissan.

It’s been said Americans have short memories. This could certainly be said for car buying trends, at least with regards to vehicle size and fuel efficacy. Gas prices have held relatively steady over the last year—the average price is still under $3.00 a gallon, although on the rise—and Americans have decided to buy larger, thirstier cars again. At least that’s what July’s sales data suggest.

July was a good month for the majority of automakers offering vehicles in the States. However, it was the bigger vehicles leading the charge, even though there’s more small cars on the market than in recent history. Autoblog, for example, reported Honda’s Civic was down 25.5% while the Pilot was up 45.4% (the Fit was down 29.5%). Nissan’s car division was down 3.7%, but its trucks went up 51%. As I reported on Tuesday, all b-segment cars on the U.S. market (sans the Kia Rio and Kia Soul; +99.7% and +65.9%, respectively) experienced a drop in sales compared to this time in 2009.

It’s not like Americans don’t have small options these days, it’s quite the contrary. There are more small car choices these days than since the 1980s, and they’re almost undoubtedly the best small cars ever to grace American soil. Even with the not-so-stellar economy, gas prices that still aren’t “cheap,” and many great smaller options, the slow sales of small cars says something about U.S. consumers: They like big vehicles and fuel economy isn’t as important as many want to think.

How soon people forget. Remember when gas prices approached $5.00 a gallon in places? It wasn’t very long ago. Remember saving money by driving a car that got 25 MPG vs. 15? Of course a subcompact, compact, or even a “car” doesn’t fit everyone’s bill. But, they likely fit more lifestyles then many people would want to believe. It’s the “bigger is better” mentality.

Hey, I’m the last person on Earth that’s going to tell someone what they have to buy. Some people need pickups, SUVs, and minivans (most “minivans” aren’t very “mini” anymore if you haven’t noticed), and you do have the freedom to buy whatever the hell you want—that’s fine. But I’d bet gas prices will rise again and used car lots will once again be strewn with copious amounts of large, gas-guzzling vehicles. I just figure it’s a matter of if not when.

Clearly, Americans decided to buy big with their vehicle purchases—at least in July—despite the influx of great small vehicles. But is this spike in bigger vehicle sales simply a blip on the radar, or is this a return to buying bigger and less fuel-efficient again? Assuming gas prices stay around where they are, the next few months should be good indicators.

Courtesy of our content partner – Subcompact Culture


Where was I the last couple of days? I was at the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s (NWAPA) “Run to the Sun.” This annual driving event brings a number of new cars and NWAPA members together for a multi-day driving extravaganza.

The field featured a variety of cars from various segments from entry level to ultra luxury. The list looked like this:

- 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD Tech
- 2010 Cadillac CTS-V
- 2010 Chevrolet Corvette GS Convertible
- 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T
- 2010 Viper SRT10 Coupe
- 2011 Ford Mustang GT Premium
- 2011 Honda CR-Z EX w/Navigation
- 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS
- 2011 Infiniti M37X AWD
- 2010 Jaguar XFR
- 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible
- 2010 Kia Forte Koup SX
- 2010 Lexus IS350 Convertible (w/F-Sport parts)


- 2010 Lotus Evora
- 2010 Mazdaspeed3
- 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet
- 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG
- 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart
- Mitsubishi iMiEV
- 2010 Nissan Z Roadster
- 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
- Suzuki Kizashi Turbo Concept
- 2011 Volvo C70 T5 Convertible
- 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Edition

Over the course of three days, I got to drive each one of these cars on some great roads in northwestern Washington. There were a number of remarkable cars. Here are just a couple that really stood out:

Favorite Overall Car: 2011 Ford Mustang GT
Why: I’m a long-time Mustang fan, and the ’11 GT is the total package. They’ve brought the 5.0 back with dual overhead cams, a 7,000 RPM readline, and lots of thrust (412 hp, 390 ft/lbs. of torque). But, it’s more than that. The outstanding combination of comfort, handling, obtainable price, and sound make this such a complete, well-executed package. This American icon continues to be iconic.

Biggest Surprise: Cadillac CTS-V
Why: The CTS-V is a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8-powered luxury sport sedan. I knew it’d be fast, and figured it’d be a “nice” car. However, I didn’t expect it to be as fast or as nice as it was. It goes like hell, sounds like heaven, and has a cool interior (the speedometer and tachometer leave red trails as they rev up—really neat). Here again, the combination of suspension tuning, interior quality, outstanding exhaust note, and overall badassness really impressed me. It’s great to see American cars that are truly impressive!

Favorite Small Car: Honda CR-Z
Why: Hey, this is Subcompact Culture, right? Of the smaller vehicles at the event (not including the excellent Lotus Evora), the Honda CR-Z was a standout, and not just because it’s brand-spakin’ new. The combination of size, shape, and driving dynamics confirmed that the CR-Z is a fun, frugal, and reasonably priced car. The interior is appealing, the exterior looks better in person, and if driven like a hybrid in Eco mode, you will get better-than-EPA-rated fuel economy.

Most Amazing: Mercedes AMG SLS; Viper SRT10 (tie)
Why: Equally amazing cars for way different reasons. It’s a tale of the scalpel versus the sledgehammer. The AMG SLS is extremely fast, yet is easy to pilot, Its gorgeous, inviting and comfortable interior features gullwinged gateways. All superheros should be gifted an SLS AMG.

The Viper is punishingly fast and is more than two handfuls to control. Viper allows you to sit inside it and then makes you hold on for dear life under full throttle. The automotive equivalent of trying to ride a bull. Make that a rabid bull possessed by the devil—but in a totally good way.

They’re both stupendously powerful, perversely extreme in many aspects, and get more stares than Megan Fox at a nude corndog eating contest. And I’ve said too much.

Expect to see some more driving reports about these vehicles soon!

Source – Subcompact Culture

If you’ve been keeping up with my postings on KarFarm, you know that I’m a huge Kia Hamster fan. I have stated that the TV commercial for the Kia Soul featuring the Kia Hamsters was the best marketing idea, in decades – and Nielsen’s agree!

The round 2 has begun. This time, more hamsters in hip urban gear, blastin’ the old early 90′s hip hop tune – “The Choice is Yours” by Black Sheep. The best part is that the Kia marketing guys are obviously trying to poke fun at the boring, often kitchen appliance look alike, competition (Scion xB, Honda Element, and Nissan Cube) by showing toasters and laundry machines.

Also, you can purchase the fresh hip hop gear that the Kia Hamsters are sporting in this video (below) at Hamstar Clothing!

Keep it up, Kia!

Just don’t let it keep going on and on like the GEICO commercials (cavemen, gecko, stack of money, etc…).

- KF

Source – Kia

One could argue that Hyundai has been the best performing auto company in the last 2-3 years. Just within these past 2 years, we saw the likes of Genesis Sedan, Genesis Coupe, all new Sonata, all new Tucson, Kia Soul, Kia Forte Sedan, Kia Forte Koup, and Kia Sorento – all with superior design (not expected from Hyundai) and content value (as expected from Hyundai). Still to come from the Koreans are the new Hyundai Equus (Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS competitor), Kia Optima, and the Sonata Hybrid and Turbo.

When Hyundai revealed the all new Sonata a few months back, I said to myself that the design is way too progressive and there is no way that a mainstream auto manufacturer will produce it. Lo and behold, let me eat a plate of crows…

It’s not everyday I get excited about midsize (family) sedans, but you’ve gotta hand it to the Hyundai designers. They have created a package that’s truly unique and worth talking about.

Now on to the news… The all new 2011 Sonata is already in the market with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine producing 200HP and 35MPG, both class leading. At the New York Auto Show, they have announced two additional models – Sonata Hybrid and Sonata 2.0T (Turbo).

Sonata Hybrid


Forget the Nickel-Metal Hydride (Camry, Prius, Insight, Fusion, etc…), Lithium-ion (laptops, Tesla Roadster, Mercedes S-Class Hybrid, etc…), Hyundai is rolling out the Lithium polymer battery technology. What does that mean? The Lithium polymer battery has 70% more charge density (power output), and 50% more charge holding capacity than the Nickel Metal Hydride stuff and 20% smaller than Lithium ion technology (the current leader in battery technology).

The drivetrain is a parallel hybrid system which makes for more seamless transition between the gas and electric modes and is projected to get 37MPG city and 39 in highway use. The combined power output is at 209HP, which is also class leading and the Sonata is the largest and the lightest of the bunch – more comfort and best performing.

Exterior touches include awesome LED headlamps and a reworked body design that’s more aerodynamic than just about any supercar on the road (.25 cd drag).

Sonata 2.0T (Turbo)

While the competition is busy increasing HP with larger 6 cylinder engines, Hyundai leap-frogged everyone by going backwards. They are introducing a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder turbocharged engine… and get this 274HP (outclassing most 6 cylinder engines) and 34MPG – only a tick less than the naturally aspirated 2.4 liter unit!

You really get the best of both worlds, you get class leading power output and fuel efficiency. It feels weird to say this, but more companies should follow Hyundai’s lead.

- KF

2010 Kia Soul sport

Vital Stats

Engine: 2.0 liter I4 (142HP/137TQ)
Drivetrain Layout: Front engine/Front wheel drive
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Seating Capacity: 5 Passengers
EPA Fuel Economy: 24 city/30 highway
Base MSRP $18,195 + $695 (destination charge)
Recommended Options: Sunroof Package $700

The Basics
Thanks to Toyota’s Scion brand, the US automotive marketplace woke up to the fact that there is a significant market demand for funky, distinct, individualistic, customizable vehicles. The new contenders in this segment are the Kia Soul and Nissan cube (oddly enough the Cube was the originator of this segment in Japan). Of the three Boxes, the Kia Soul is the smallest.

Spiritually, the Kia Soul translates the original Scion xB’s DNA better than the Scion’s own 2nd gen xB. The Kia Soul is even more distinctive, and has even more of a playful personality than either generation xB’s. The Soul is about the same size as the first xB and is available in 4 trim levels and two available engines. And who can forget about one of the best automotive advertisements in the last decade, the Kia Hamsters!

Highs: Funky and fun exterior and interior design, good handling dynamics, smooth engine, great steering feel
Lows: NVH (noise, harshness vibration) not as good as others, smallish cargo space, can get pricey

Similar Vehicles: Nissan cube, Scion xB, Kia Forte

Exterior (Tae – 9, Andy – 9)
Tae – Dare I say that the Kia Soul has got some soul? From its sloping roofline, rising beltline, the vents on the fenders, the black door moldings and bumper trimmings, headlamps, tail lamps every design element works. It’s funky, fun, distinctive, and sporty. In the current ‘box segment’, the Kia Soul receives a top grade in styling.

Andy – I think the Soul looks great, however, I’ve found that like the other ‘box cars,’ its looks are polarizing. People either seem to love it or hate it. I happen to love it. It’s sportier than the Cube, and more exciting than the xB. I agree with Tae: funky, fun, and sporty.

Interior (Tae – 8.5, Andy – 8)
Tae – Carrying on with superbs of the exterior styling,  the interior design is top notch. The red/black upholstery is sporty and looks to be durable, dash materials are above average, and the fit-and-finish is very good. The storage compartments in the dash and center console are cleverly designed, and the armrest is nicely done as well – doesn’t feel like an afterthought like it does in the Scion xB. As far as any gripes go… the cargo area is small, and if you have tall front seat dwellers, the back seats will be cramped.

Andy – The Soul’s interior is cool, no doubt about it. There is plenty of passenger room and good interior storage. I found the front seats to be a bit stiff, and not quite as supportive as I like. Unlike Tae, I found the center arm rest to be a bit plasticky and uncomfortable. However, these are minor gripes. Overall, you get a lot of interior for your cash including a great stereo and good ergonomics.

Drivetrain (Tae – 7, Andy – 7)
Tae – Although the engine and transmission are smooth and gets the job done, compared to the 2.4 liter unit in the Scion xB, it feels underpowered. The noise levels from the drivetrain are very good, until the very top end of the engines speeds – by then, the engine sounds like it’s struggling. The 2.0 liter engine in the Soul sport is sporty in nature (more power in the higher revs than lower speeds), and feels reasonably refined. The transmission shifts smooth without a discernable shift-jerk, but the shifting action is not as snappy as I would like.

Andy – Unlike Tae, I didn’t think the Soul felt underpowered. I did, however, feel the engine was a little noisy and unrefined compared to the competition; ditto that with the manual transmission, which feels a bit rubbery and not as precise as the Japanese makes. Gearing is good, and the transmission makes good use of the car’s 142 horsepower. The engine does rev well and offers spirited acceleration; it just make a lot of new doing so.

Performance (Tae – 7.5, Andy – 8)
Tae – The straightline performance is pretty average with something like a mid-8 second 0-60MPH times. In the handling department, the Soul sport shines – even moreso than the Scion xB. It corners with predictability and grippy enough for most joy rides.

Andy – The Soul is fun to drive. The combination of good horsepower and torque figures, proper gearing, a stiff suspension, and strong grip lends itself to spirited cornering. Acceleration is above average. There always seems to be enough power on tap for passing, and freeway cruising is handled easily. The Soul is the athlete in this segment.

Ride Quality (Tae – 6.5, Andy – 6.5)
Tae – Maybe it’s due to the fact that it’s got a stiffer suspension, maybe it’s the low profile 18” wheels/tires, or maybe it’s just that this is an economy car – the ride quality is not as refined as some of the competitors. I would say that the Kia Soul is the worst in the ride quality department out of the Box trio (Soul, xB, and Cube), and by no means that the Soul rides terrible – that type of distinction belong to the likes of Smart fortwo, Dodge Calibur, Chevy Aveo, etc…

Andy –  I agree with Tae.  The ride fees overly stiff, almost like it rides on aftermarket lowering/performance springs—but it doesn’t have them. Is this the tradeoff for the good cornering? Perhaps. The Soul is more of a canyon carver than a comfortable cruiser.

Technology (Tae – 8.5, Andy – 9)
Tae – This top-level Soul is stuffed with just about everything under the sun (sunroof is optional), including Bluetooth and iPod/USB connectivity. Things like traction control, 6 airbags, ABS, and other safety equipment is standard also. The audio system is easy to use and sound better than most of its competitors, and c’mon… it’s got speaker lights!

Andy – It’s hard to beat this level of technology for the price. Its Bluetooth is among the best I’ve ever used regardless of price. The iPod/USB connectivity is good, and the 315 watt stereo (with pulsating lights in the speaker grilles—don’t worry, you can turn them off, too) is outstanding. Combine with the safety features Tae mentioned, and you’ve got a car any ‘techie’ would appreciate, especially at this price level.

Value (Tae – 8.5, Andy – 9)
Tae – Compared to the Scion xB, the Kia Soul sport is not as a good of a bargain. However, when you price out the xB with the 18” wheel/tire combo, metal pedals, and Bluetooth you’ll catch up to the Kia’s price. Items like two-tone interior, sports suspension, sunroof, and speaker lighting system are an aftermarket affair for the Scion xB.

Andy – I’m going to contrast Tae and say the Soul is a better bargain than the xB. I feel you get more for your money: More style, more tech, and more performance (especially in the cornering department) and the same or lower price. The only downside is going to be resale value; something Kias still aren’t known for. Also, the Soul’s 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, 5 year/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty, as well as 5 years/60,000 miles of roadside assistance.

Overall (Tae – 8, Andy – 8.5)
Tae – If you are looking for a vehicle that says I’m different, yet not in a ‘weird’ way, the Kia Soul might be for you. It is an excellent option for students and/or city dwellers. You can carry a lot of junk, has a good sound system, handles good, looks outrageous, and full of great personality.

Andy – I’d agree with Tae on all accounts. There’s a lot of car for the cash with the Soul. Plus, buyers get an impressive warranty. The Soul might not be for everyone, but it’s good car for anyone looking for an above-average level of performance, technology, and style at a good price point.

- KF

Kia first appeared in the U.S. in the early-to-mid 1990s (Portland, Oregon’s Ron Tonkin Kia was the first Kia dealer in the U.S.), and was mostly thought of as an entry-level automaker offering inexpensive, and, well, basic transportation. Hey—we all have to start somewhere. However, Kia has kept its nose to the automotive grindstone, offering more refinement, more quality, and more models from year to year. The company is quickly making its way up through the ranks to become a brand people want to buy, and not just a low-cost option.

The all-new 2010 Kia Forte sedan (and two-door “Koupe”) are prime examples of Kia’s latest and greatest efforts to date. The Forte goes to battle in the highly populated C-segment, which includes behemoths such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, not to mention Mazda3, Ford Focus, or Volkswagen Jetta. Will Kia be able to woo buyers from more established brands? With its great pricing, expansive list of features, and great warranty, the Forte should definitely be on the the compact car shopper’s list.

Sophisticated Sheet Metal
It’s hard to deny Forte’s attractive exterior, especially in the SX trim. Clean, handsome lines, minimal front and rear overhangs, and attractive 17” wheels make this car look upscale (I think the Titanium paint looks great, too). I had several people tell me they thought it looked like an Acura or Honda, and it does sort of resemble the last-generation TSX, as well as the current Honda Civic.

Interior Attractiveness
Looks aren’t skin deep on the Forte SX. The leather-clad interior is very nice. The comfortable seats offer decent bolstering to hold you place and the headrest actually allows you to rest your head. The driving position has that just-right distance to grasp the chunky leather-wrapped steering wheel (which has both cruise- and audio controls). Ergonomics are also good: Everything feels like it’s where it should be. If fact, this actually feels like a driver’s car.

Impressively, all Forte trim levels get standard features, such as a USB and port, three months of satellite radio, and Bluetooth integration—all standard. Speaking of, Kia’s Bluetooth has to be one of the easiest, most straight-forward systems to use. A couple of callers said the clarity wasn’t the best, though. It could be my archaic phone, too.

Stepping up to the SX model nets you a nice-sounding six-speaker sound system, and the easy-to-read “Supervision” gauge cluster with multi-function trip computer that displays engine temperature, trip/odometer, fuel economy, range, and more. One thing that drew mixed criticism was the red illuminated ring surrounding the speedometer. Some thought it was annoying. I thought it looked cool.

Back seat room is adequate for two adults, and the rear seats fold down revealing a pass-through into an ample-sized trunk. Speaking of trunks, one thing that was a bit awkward: There was no way to open the trunk without using the keyless entry system or pulling the interior release. No exterior keyhole, no button to push.

Powerful engine, stiff ride, fun to drive
Make no mistake about it: The Forte is a lot of fun to drive. In fact, it’s probably one of the more fun-to-drive vehicles I’ve piloted in a while. Under the hood lies a powerful 173 horsepower 2.4-liter DOHC four cylinder with continuously variable valve timing making a respectable 168 ft. lbs. of torque. My review vehicle came with the five-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting capability; a six-speed manual transmission is also offered. EPA rating on the automatic SX is 23 city, 31 highway; I got almost exactly 23 mpg in mostly city driving. This is slightly better than the Toyota Corolla XRS, Honda Civic Si, and Mazda3 S Sport.

Forte has an independent front suspension and a torsion beam rear (the Civic and Mazda3 have a fully independent suspension; Corolla also uses the torsion rear). Suspension tuning is on the stiff side, which I like, although, it might be a bit stiff for some. The car handled very well and cornering was nice and flat. The meaty 215/45/17 tires had little problem putting the power to the ground. Braking is handled by front and rear disc brakes with ABS, brake assist, and EBD. The Forte also has traction control and stability control.

A truly competitive compact
There’s a lot to like about Kia’s Forte SX: Great driving characteristics, long list of available features, and attractive styling. This car offers similar performance to the Toyota Corolla XRS and Mazda3, but for thousands less. It’s still slower than the Civic Si sedan, but costs less and doesn’t require premium fuel. Plus there’s that warranty: 5 year/60,000 mile basic, 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain. You can’t get that standard on the Toyota, Mazda, or Honda.

Then there’s the Forte SX’s price $18,195; $20,490 as tested (which included $1,000 leather, and $600 heated seats, $695 destination).

That’s a lot of car for the money. Refinement is still not quite as high as the Japanese, but it’s getting better and better. And although Kia still has a ways to go to bring long-time Honda and Toyota buyers to its side, with cars like the Forte SX, consumers should take note: this is a very viable competitor for your hard-earned dollars.

Courtesy of our content partner: Subcompact Culture

nissancubeNissan has announced that the brand’s response to the need for fun, spacious yet fuel efficient vehicles, the Nissan Cube, will be released in the USA in Spring 2009. This second generation of the Cube comes stateside 10 years after the release of the original 1999 version so popular in Japan. The Cube also boasts the title of the first car in that segment. Its nearest competitor, the Toyota bB (Scion xB in the USA) was released in Japan in 2001. Due to the Cube’s late USA release, however, it now has two competitors gunning for its market share: the aforementioned Scion xB and the new Kia Soul.

The quirky asymmetrical box, affectionately dubbed the “Urban Mobility Device”, features two different profiles. On one side the “U.M.D” sports one elongated window that wraps around and acts as the rear windscreen. The other side looks conventional, with two windows. A fun fact about those windows is that the wraparound was designed originally for the JDM market for better vision while exiting a parking space or merging, and Nissan decided not to change the configuration to the other side for the US version. The driver is essentially getting a little bit of the Japanese driving experience with the window on the wrong side while you are switching lanes.

cubeinterior
The interior combines blue and white color lighting to help the driver keep track of the speedometer and tachometer separately while driving, and the dash is designed specifically with driver comfort in mind with all instruments placed at a slight angle towards the driver’s seat. The interior also features a “double shelf” feature on the passenger side which acts as a storage compartment for such things as keys, wallet, or any other small object that may flop around while the car is in motion. To add to the fun-factor of the car, it comes with an optional shag-carpet dash mat which screams “shall we shag now… or shag later… baby???”cubeshag

In order to appeal to the young crowd Nissan searches to win over, the Cube will have numerous customization options and will come in three trims: the Cube 1.8, 1.8S and 1.8SL. The owner can add such things as 16-inch alloy wheels, side window deflectors, a rear roof spoiler, or even a full aero kit.

The Cube will be peppy and drivable around town, with a 1.8 liter motor (as noted by the trim names) producing 122 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. The car will be available with a CVT transmission for all trims, or a 6-speed manual for the 1.8 and 1.8S models for those who want a sportier experience.

This quirky box is the first iteration of a new trend of fun people carriers in the USA.

-KF

Kia Koup Concept from 2008.

Kia Koup Concept from 2008.

It looks like Hyundai is positioning its Kia brand as a Scion fighter. They’ve just introduced the Kia Soul, with the best car commercial in a long time (the cute hamsters), which is a direct challenge to the Scion xB. At the 2009 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), Kia unveiled the Forte Koup – taking aim at the Scion tC.

Hyundai is on a major roll at the moment with the award-winning Genesis sedan and coupe, and is going after the right market segments at the right times. They are out-doing Toyota at its own game, which Toyota warned everyone of about 3 years ago. Their quality is up to par with Toyota and Honda, they have world-class designs, a top notch warranty, and they undercut the competition’s prices. Hyundai has come a long way in the last 10 years or so.

The Forte Koup is based on the Kia Koup concept from last year, and its styling doesn’t hide the fact that it’s going after the Scion tC. It will be offered with a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine producing 156HP and 144TQ, and an optional 2.4 liter powerplant with 173HP and 168TQ. Either way, just the fact that you can get it with the 6 speed manual transmission already bests the Scion’s 5 year old model.

2010 Kia Forte Koup. Look out, Scion tC! Here come the Koup.

2010 Kia Forte Koup. Look out, Scion tC! Here come the Koup.

Since Scion is getting the tC’s replacement ready in early 2010, as a 2011 model, we are looking at quite a battle between these two automakers come first quarter of 2010. With similar vehicles going after similar demographics, it’ll come down to styling and pricing. Scion will keep its all-new tC  in the high $17k range or low $18k, and Kia has not announced pricing on the Forte Koup – but expect Kia to undercut Scion by about $2,000 or so. A full test of the Kia Forte Koup will be available as soon as we get our grubby hands on it.

-KF