Kia Cross GT Concept

Building on the brand-expanding precedent set by the four-door Kia GT that debuted in Frankfurt in 2011, the brand unveiled the Cross GT crossover concept in Chicago. Just as the GT concept’s arrival signaled the brand might soon offer a full-size luxury car, the Cross GT concept clearly sends the message that Kia is considering the move into the large, premium-crossover market.

Big in Stature and Power

The Cross GT’s design comes from the same group of California-based designers at Kia’s Design Center America that gave us the 2014 Forte sedan as well as the Track’ster and Soul’ster concepts. Based on the chassis of the GT sedan, the Cross GT features a similarly long wheelbase of 122 inches with short overhangs front and rear. Overall length and width measure up at 192.8 and 79.1 inches, respectively; teamed with a comparatively low 65.3-inch overall height, it sports a chunky profile.

To put it in context, the Cross GT is 8.4 inches longer and 4.9 inches wider than the current Sorento, yet stands 1.6 inches shorter. The wheelbase, however, is nearly 16 inches longer than that of the current Sorento, lending credence to claims of short overhangs. As we stated when Kia released a teaser image a couple of weeks ago, we’re definitely seeing the brand’s familial resemblance, especially in the nose and C-pillar.


Although Kia is careful to point out that the hybrid powertrain also is “strictly a concept,” its numbers definitely fall within the realm of the possible. Featuring a 3.8-liter V-6 and an eight-speed automatic transmission working in conjunction with an evolution of Kia’s parallel hybrid system that provides torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, Kia is quoting a combined output of 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque with an all-electric range of 20 miles.

Designed as a four-passenger vehicle, the Cross GT employs rear-hinged suicide doors for easy access to the rear buckets. Interior materials were chosen with a nod to environmental responsibility: The American walnut on the instrument panel was selected from re-harvested stock and the Almond Terra–colored leather seats were tanned with chemical-free dyes. Anchored to the central tunnel, the saddle-inspired seats give the illusion of floating within the cabin.

Climate controls, telematics, and entertainment functions are accessed via a touch screen and central mouse control. Rear passengers can access the internet and infotainment options through flat-panel screens mounted to the backs of the front-seat headrests. A large storage compartment resides beneath the flat-load floor in the cargo area.

The Official 411, Nudge, Wink

Although no official announcements have been made, you don’t need a magnifying glass to read between the lines: According to Michael Sprague, Kia’s executive vice president of marketing and communications, “Our customers are looking to the Kia brand to offer relevant vehicles in the premium segments that take value to new levels of sophistication. The Cross GT is the next logical step in that evolution. And while only a concept today, it signals one possible design direction we may explore for the future.”

Kia Forte 5-door

For a moment last year, Kia's design leadership role seemed to have been compromised: The second-generation Forte sedan, with its awkwardly twisted grille and ungainly posterior, failed to generate any excitement at last year's Los Angeles auto show. Moreover, there was a conspicuous absence of any forward-looking powertrain technology.

We are ready to dismiss our gripes with the new Forte, thanks to the five-door hatchback version that is debuting at the Chicago auto show. Kia went out of its way to differentiate the two body styles: The five-door Forte features not only a short, compact rear end, but also a fully reworked front end with distinct taillights, a slim grille, and a stylish lower air intake.

Kia claims the "edgy demeanor" of the new Forte is informed by European tastes, and we would almost believe it, were it not for the fact that the European-market Cee'd hatchback, which uses the same platform and is identically sized, shares not a single body part with the Forte. Nevertheless, the Forte looks good, especially with the upmarket SX trim, which packs twin exhaust tips, 18-inch aluminum wheels on 225/40 tires, a restyled front fascia, and LED taillights.

 The SX also is the version of choice for anyone whose driving style can be described as "fortissimo." It packs a turbocharged, direct-injected 1.6-liter turbo that produces 201 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 195 lb-ft of torque from 1750 to 4500 rpm. The Forte SX should reach 60 mph in less than eight seconds. Kia offers the choice of a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic box.

Customers on a budget can opt for the Forte EX, which comes with a naturally aspirated and direct-injected 2.0-liter four. That engine delivers 173 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 154 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm. It needs to be revved to move the car with authority, but shifting manually is not an option: The Forte EX comes with a six-speed automatic only. Not offered, nor missed, is the 148-hp 1.8-liter four, which figures as the standard engine in the Forte sedan.

But just like the Forte sedan, the hatchback can be ordered with options previously unheard of in this segment. They include a heated steering wheel, an air-cooled power driver's seat, and heated front and rear seats. Kia also offers xenon headlights, a keyless entry and start functionality, and leather seats. That is an impressive list of features; this kind of luxury should turn the Forte 5-door into a comfortable, stylish, and (if turbocharged) rapid companion for the city and for long distances.

The Kia Forte 5-door will be appear at dealerships in the third quarter of 2013; pricing has not been announced yet. It should give most domestic and Japanese offerings a good run—not to mention its sibling, the Hyundai Elantra GT. And with its European sister model, the two-door pro_cee'd GT, aiming to take on the Volkswagen GTI, we look forward to finding out how the Forte SX holds its own against the high-performance competition. For a good start, we now like its looks.