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The all-new Kia Forte sedan has arrived for 2010, bringing another credible contender to the burgeoning compact segment.

Replacing the Spectra, the Forte offers consumers a South Korean alternative to the Japanese compacts that dominate this vehicle class – the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

With a starting price of $13,695 (plus $695 freight) for the base LX model, the 2010 Forte offers a long list of standard safety and convenience features, including anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control.

Kia also offers a two-door version, called the Forte Koup, with prices ranging from $16,595-$17,695 (plus freight). It’s Kia’s first-ever coupe, and comes with the same engine and transmission choices as the sedan.

The Forte is impressive for an entry-level economy sedan, with both styling and handling that seem to belong in a higher price range.

This isn’t a plain-vanilla car like the Civic or Corolla. The exterior design features some interesting touches such as swept-back headlights and a wide stance that gives the car a muscular look, but also helps improve road handling.

Kia says the Forte’s specially engineered body has high torsional stiffness that enhances handling and ride quality.

The interior is quite surprising, too, with a well-planned layout, easy to read instruments, and uncomplicated controls.

The Forte has 96.8 cubic feet of passenger space, with room for five people, although the middle position in the back is best left to small children. The trunk is the largest in the class, with 14.7 cubic feet – more than some popular midsize sedans.

Besides the base LX, available models are the midlevel EX ($15,795) and sporty, top-of-the-line SX ($17,195).

The SX has a more-athletic profile, aided by 17-inch alloy wheels and premium P215/45R17 tires. It also comes with a sport-tuned suspension and larger front brakes.

Our tester was the EX with the four-speed automatic transmission, which raises the base price by $1,000 to $16,795.

The Forte is 178.3 inches long, 69.9 inches wide and 57.5 inches high, which compares with 177.3 inches long, 69 inches wide, and 56.5 inches high for the Civic, which also costs more – starting at $15,305 (plus freight) for the 2009 model.

It’s almost the same length as the Corolla, whose 2010 prices begin at $15,305. The Forte has more standard content than its key competitors, as well, which helps add to the value.

Value pricing is part of Kia’s strategy to compete against Japanese models, which U.S. consumers generally believe to have better quality.

But the quality of Kia and Hyundai vehicles has risen dramatically in recent years so that there is little difference between them and their Japanese rivals.

Hyundai, Kia’s parent company, uses the same pricing strategy for most of its vehicles, based on the belief that price is a strong motivator when trying persuade consumers to switch from trusted brands such as Civic and Corolla. But it’s more than that. Buyers in the entry-level class are more sensitive to price, and a lot of them are choosing their first new cars.

All models come with front-wheel drive. LX and EX versions are powered by a 156-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which has 144 foot-pounds of torque.

This compares with 132 horsepower for the base and midlevel Corolla models, and 158 horsepower for the optional 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine in the Corolla. The base engine in the Civic has 140 horsepower.

In both around-town and highway driving, I found the 2.0-liter engine to have plenty of power, even for merging onto the freeway on uphill ramps. Passing on two-lane country roads wasn’t a problem, either.

But for those who want more zip, the SX comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 173 horsepower — more than that of the competing Mazda3.

LX and EX models have a standard five-speed manual transmission; the four-speed automatic is optional. The SX has a six-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic with manual-shift feature.

With the 2.0-liter engine, EPA ratings are 25 mpg city/34 highway with the five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. With the five-speed automatic, the numbers are 27 city/36highway.

The 2.4-liter engine has ratings of 22 city/32 highway with the six-speed manual and 23/31 with the five-speed automatic; the five-speed manual and four-speed automatic are not offered in the SX.

A special “Fuel Economy Package” is offered on the EX model with the 2.0-liter engine. It includes the five-speed automatic gearbox, and brings EPA ratings of 27 city/36 highway.

Among features that help boost this model’s mileage are electric power steering, a “smart” alternator, silica tires and aerodynamic body enhancements.

Standard are cloth seats, a three-gauge instrument cluster with red lighting, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, tilt steering wheel, rear defroster, and dual 12-volt power outlets. Air conditioning is optional.

EX and SX models come with air conditioning, power windows/mirrors/door locks with remote, map lights, cruise control (with steering-wheel controls for this and the radio), front and rear cupholders, and floor mats.

The EX Premium Package ($800) adds a power moon roof and 16-inch alloy wheels, and the EX Leather Package ($1,000) brings leather seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, and metal interior trim.

Both packages were included on our EX tester, which, with the automatic transmission and freight, had a total sticker price of $19,290.

With the SX model comes a unique black interior that has sport cloth fabric with red stitching; a telescopic steering column; special gauge cluster; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; and metal-finish trim and pedals.

The moon roof and leather packages are available on the SX model, as well.

The standard audio system has AM/FM/compact disc/MP3 playback, four speakers, and Sirius satellite radio with three months free service; an auxiliary jack allows for connection of an iPod or other music player; and Bluetooth connectivity.

Standard safety features include front seat-mounted side air bags, roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for both rows, the four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, the electronic stability control with traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1994. Contact him at 210-250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.

2010 Kia Forte sedan

The package: Four-door, five-passenger, front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder, compact sedan.

Advantages: Kia’s new compact sedan replaces the Spectra, and offers great value in a stylish and roomy package, in three trim levels.

Negatives: The available five-speed automatic transmission should be the standard automatic, instead of the less-fuel-efficient four-speed.

Engine: 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter four-cylinder.

Transmission: Five- or six-speed manual; four- or five-speed automatic.

Power/torque: 156 HP./144 foot-pounds (2.0-liter); 173 HP./168 foot-pounds (2.4-liter).

Length: 178.3 inches.

Curb weight: 2,707-2,853 pounds.

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; side-curtain for both rows.

Electronic stability control: Standard.

Trunk volume: 14.7 cubic feet.

Fuel capacity/type: 13.7 gallons/unleaded regular.

EPA fuel economy: 25 mpg city/34 highway (2.0-liter, manual or four-speed automatic); 27/36 (2.0-liter, five-speed automatic); 22/32 (2.4-liter, six-speed manual); 23/31 (2.4-liter, five-speed automatic).

Major competitors: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta, Subaru Impreza.

Base price range: $13,695-$17,195 (plus $695 freight).

Price as tested: $19,290, including freight and options (EX model with automatic, leather, moon roof).

On the Road rating: 9.1 (of a possible 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.