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2019 Kia Forte renderings reveal a sedan with Stinger style

Kia has revealed renderings of a redesigned, sleeker third-generation Forte compact sedan that it will display at the Detroit Auto Show next week. And with the attention the Stinger sport fastback has been receiving, it's not surprising that the Forte would take its cue off that swept-back look as well. The 2019 Forte makes a radical departure from the previous generation's former, more conventional compact-sedan look, keeping a version of Kia's tiger-nose grille, and gaining a number of design cues in the sheetmetal, lower valance and headlights that Kia calls "muscular" and "dynamic." Galleries for the Stinger and previous Forte design are below for comparison. The Stinger resemblance is extended to the interior, with has an open, horizontal look. Kia doesn't say if the car will come as a hatchback — or with this body style, a liftback, again like the Stinger. Based on the second rendering above, it would appear not. But that doesn't rule out the possibility of a liftback version. And that right there is about all we know. We'll find out more next week in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show. Kia has been on a real roll of late. The 2018 Forte and Soul, along with the Forte's cousin the Hyundai Elantra, were among the six Korean cars that dominated the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's exclusive list of 15 cars that earned the Top Safety Pick+ designation. The Forte runs neck-and-neck with the Soul as Kia's sales leader in the U.S., closing out 2017 with nearly 118,000 Fortes delivered. Kia has always gone after a younger buyer, and now it looks to be gunning for a more sophisticated buyer, too. View 11 Photos View 19 Photos Related Video:

Join Autoblog editors for a full video tour of the 2019 Detroit Auto Show

The 2019 North American International Auto Show might have been a little more quiet than past years, but there were still some pretty major reveals, including the Toyota Supra, new Ford Explorer, Shelby GT500, Subaru WRX STI S209 and Kia Telluride. We also saw some lovely concepts like the Nissan IMs and Lexus LC Convertible. Senior Editor Alex Kierstein, Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski and Senior Green Editor John Beltz Snyder join me, Associate Editor Reese Counts — with Social Media Manager Michael Dylan Ferrara behind the camera — on a long walk through the show. We discuss cars, poke around the stands, dress a bloody wound and answer your questions in the Facebook comments. For more Detroit coverage, you can check out Autoblog's picks for the best in show, listen to our podcast or look at the best images from all the reveals. Finally, don't forget to watch Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore hand over our 2019 Technology of the Year award. Related Video: Green Detroit Auto Show Acura Cadillac Chevrolet Ford GM Hyundai Infiniti Kia Lexus Nissan RAM Subaru Toyota Volkswagen Truck Convertible Coupe Crossover Hatchback Minivan/Van SUV Videos Sedan facebook 2019 detroit auto show live

Average new-vehicle transaction price hits a whopping new peak in December

Elevated prices for products and higher borrowing rates led to record high transaction prices for new vehicles in December, with the average cost in the U.S. rising to a record $49,507, according to data from Kelley Blue Book released today. The report notes that ATPs — average transaction prices — have climbed above suggested retail prices — MSRPs — for more than a year. Sales volumes were up in December on a year-over-year basis by more than 5%, a situation Kelley attributed to improved supply. Overall sales for 2022, however, were off 8% year over year. “The transaction data from December clearly indicates overall prices showed no signs of coming down as we headed into year-end,” said Rebecca Rydzewski, research manager of economic and industry insights for Cox Automotive. “Luxury prices fell slightly in December, but non-luxury transaction prices were up. Truck sales were particularly strong last month, and with many trucks selling for more than $60,000, a new record was all but inevitable.” Industry analysts claim the most obvious headwinds in the new car market are generated by higher interest rates, forced by the Federal Reserve's rate hikes intended to tame inflation, and by generally limited inventory. A recent report from J.D. Power showed that the average monthly payment for a new vehicle loan in December was $718, up $47 from a year ago. But 16% of consumers in December took out loans with monthly payments of over $1,000. Consumers think vehicles, and electric vehicles especially, are way too expensive. Fortunately, manufacturersÂ’ incentives, all but extinct in the past two years, are returning, especially in the electric-vehicle and luxury market, the Kelley data suggest. Plus, "With the new tax credits on the way, electric vehicle ATPs will drop lower for qualifying vehicles,” Rydzewski said. Non-luxury brands, such as Honda and Kia, showed particularly strong performance in December, with the average price paid at $45,578 — a record high and an increase of $994 month over month. Meanwhile, the average luxury buyer paid $66,660 for a new vehicle last month. Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover showed the most price strength in the luxury market, transacting between 2.6% to 6.5% over sticker price. But luxury brands Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Lexus, Lincoln, and Volvo showed the least price strength with some discounting in effect, selling 1% or more below MSRP in December, according to the survey.