 2010 Kia Forte EX. Click image to enlarge |
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2010 Kia Forte
Ottawa, Ontario – Self-help experts like to talk about playing to your strengths – accentuating the positive, if you will. In Kia’s case, its most prominent positive since arriving in Canada about a decade ago has been its ability to package a lot of value into its cars. But it hasn’t been as successful at producing cars that potential buyers could get excited about; the company’s compact Spectra was a prime example of that: while it has always been affordable, it offered little in the way of passion.
But Kia is working on that, and the latest proof is in its replacement for the Spectra, the Forte. While this new compact sedan (a coupe version is on the way this summer) plays in the same category as the Spectra, competing against class leaders like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Mazda3, it is a very different and far better car than the Spectra. The Forte’s more distinctive-looking styling penned by Peter Schreyer (he also designed the original Audi TT and VW New Beetle) is far more pleasing to the eye than the Spectra’s dowdy duds.
The look owes a lot to the current Honda Civic (check out the squinty headlights and pronounced front fenders), and its wedge-like profile calls to mind the Mitsubishi Lancer. All of which is to say that the Forte’s appearance will offend few, entice a few more and be perfectly anonymous to the majority of compact car shoppers.
That said, Kia was keen to point out that the Forte’s base price is the same as the Spectra’s, at $15,695. That’s not actually the lowest starting price in the class: the Corolla, Sentra and Cobalt all come in cheaper.
 2010 Kia Forte SX. Click image to enlarge |
Kia’s idea, though, is to pack the Forte with standard features. Notables in the base LX model include anti-lock brakes with four-wheel discs, six airbags, power windows and locks, steering-wheel audio controls, USB and auxiliary inputs for the stereo, and Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity. Move up to the mid-level EX, which will be the volume seller, and for $17,995 Kia adds stability/traction control, a great-sounding six-speaker stereo, keyless entry, manual air conditioning, a wiper defroster at the base of the windshield (a feature I maintain should be standard on every car sold in Canada) and heated front seats.
The top-rung SX, positioned both as the best-equipped and sportiest of the range, adds a larger engine and six-speed manual transmission (more on powertrains in a moment), 17-inch wheels and tires, automatic climate control, leather seats, fog lights, power sunroof, trip computer with average fuel consumption and driving range displays and satellite radio, for $20,995. The freight charge for all models is $1,455.
The LX and EX models use a 2.0-litre version of the four-cylinder “world engine”, which was developed jointly by Hyundai (Kia’s parent), Mitsubishi and Chrysler. In the Forte, it makes 156 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque, which are competitive numbers in the class. It can be matched with a five-speed manual transmission, or a four-speed automatic that is a $1,200 option.
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at 7:37 am
Interestingly enough, looking a little more closely at the Elantra and the Forte, you can see how similar these cars really are – especially in the interior. The rear of both cars are quite similar, but the fronts are substantially different. And of course, the Forte is equipped with two newer engines vs the older Beta in the Elantra.
at 9:31 am
See my own comments after testing the manual transmissions on the 2.0L and 2.4L versions of the Forte in the middle of this forum page:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,61114.20.html
A couple more things: the Forte doesn’t look at all like the Elantra, which is more rounded all over. And to my eyes, the Forte looks more like a previous-gen Audi A4 than a Civic. As for interior materials, only the Mazda 3 beats the Forte, because it has both a good-loking design and soft-touch plastics. The Civic has soft plastics, but toyish flying-saucer design. The Forte has a good looking dash design, but hard (but mostly nicely textured) plastics. Not even worth talking about the Corolla and Sentra. Similarly-sized Jetta has the best interior but stratospheric pricing. Choices have to be made in that price range.
at 12:59 pm
I’m hoping when I see this thing for real it looks as good as it does on their website, the SX anyway, base models alwyas suck for me, plech!! I also hope the comment about having head room with the sunroof is true. I’m barely 6′ and I can’t even sit in a new Malibu with a sunroof no matter where I place the seat. Barely fit in a new Fusion too! And you can’t get the fun models without the stupid sunroof!! Who’s idea is it that every car needs a stupid sunroof anyway!? WHere’s teh sunroof delete option!? I’m hoping with a 6 spd and the 170+ horse 4 that it (Forte) won’t be a dog. Shouldn’t it be quicker to 60 than 8+ seconds? There are just so many choices now a days I don’t even know what I want as a replacement for the aging Taurus anymore. Small and economical? (Forte, Mazda 3 etc., maybe new Fiesta) or something like a Hybrid Fusion…or hold out and screw mileage and pick up an 06 S4 or a nice used CTS-V so that I’m always smiling whenever I start the ‘appliance’ for my daily commute to work.
I know if I’m looking at a small car, the Forte is definitely on the test drive list. More than a Cobalt ever would be that’s for sure. Exception being the SS…still an ugly 4 door, but with one redeeming quality…more like 260 of ‘em.
at 2:14 pm
It looks alot like the 1st Gen Acura TSX from the side. Its acually a good looking car. Should steal sales from the Mazda 3, Sentra and Civic
at 4:17 pm
We had a ride in this thing couple of days ago. Actually and by expectation it feels as it looks: roomy, firm and composed. The gears and shift logic (LX version with AT) are done for economy not for driving enjoyment. What makes this car for me is the fact that it is made in Korea, not in Mexico like some other vehicles. The other consideration is that dealer is bending backwards to give away extra perks like no other brand does. You cannot beat that.
at 8:22 am
I am looking for buying a small car for my own use. It is now down to the Corolla and the Forte. I test drive both the car and finally I choose Corolla.
I am 40 years old. I don’t need a performance car. I just want the car be quiet, and not too short of power on the day to day ride.
The Forte drive must better than the Corolla. It is more powerful and the handling is better. When I drive it to highway, I don’t feel any difficult to accelerate this to 130km/h. The handling of Corolla is soft and a little difficult to accelerate to 130km/h on highway. However, the performance of Corolla is still acceptable.
The downside of the Forte is the interior and the price. The interior of the Forte feel must cheaper than Corolla and the list price with my required option (AC, Power Windows, Remote Power Lock, and Cruise Control) are almost the same. Corolla is CE with Enhance Convenience package for $20470 (includes PDI and exclude Tax) and the Forte is the EX without sunroof for about $20300. The Forte EX has the Alloy wheel, Bluetooth, and 4 speeds Triptronic Automatic but I don’t care on these features.
If the list price of the Forte is $2000 lower than the Corolla, I may consider the Forte.
In conclusion, Forte has excellence handling and performance, unacceptable cheap interior look, and too high price for a Korean brand car. Corolla is balance and every area plus it is produced by the good reputation Toyota.
at 6:10 am
interior looks perfectly fine to me, same materials as the rest (plastic) just no fake wood. =-)
at 12:04 am
Daniel, a Korean brand car is not necessarily cheaper than a Japanese (and does not need to be). Toyota and Honda are definitely overrated and overpriced when comparing similarly equipped cars (vs Hyundai, Mazda, Ford, Kia, etc), IMHO. In addition, Toyota quality looks to be a thing in the past now. I bought 2009 Mazda6 over Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Mazda6 has much better interior quality, performance and looks while cheaper. In fact, I was actually blown away by how Camry looks dull in and out compared to Mazda6 and Accord. Camry may still retain higher resale value than Mazda6, but I am buying cars to enjoy not to sell.
at 8:15 pm
Seems like we have consensus that the Forte’s interior needs to be revised. The centre radio and a/c control looks too werid. The steering wheel looks cheap and has too many buttons. The rear middle seat is raised and so I wonder if the Forte can seat five in comfort.
at 2:20 am
The interior looks awkward. It seems they tried hard but just didn’t have the talent to do it inhouse. Just need to keep it simple like corollas and last gen mazda 3.
at 2:51 pm
I really like the exterior of the Forte, but the interior center dash can use some redesign. It just looks too busy and chopped up. They tried to dress i up with that shiny black plastic, but that just makes it more awkward. I prefer the interior of the Elantra and the Soul.
at 8:12 pm
Saw the Koup version on the road today and I swear I thought it was a Honda Civic 2dr.
4 dr Forte does look like a cross between civic and Elantra. Honestly why bother building a car that already exists. Like come on …???
at 3:23 am
looks like a copycat from civic..
but still looks good……
and many of guys from above saying that it has
cheap interior quality.what do u expect from
$15,695 car that have a $50,000 german car interior
quality???? wake up…
and I still feel it has better interior or/exterior
than any of American brand cars.
at 11:31 am
Lemons, sugar and water. The most simple lemonade recipe, and yet so refreshing. Your drinks don’t have to be complicated to be refreshing. Make up a jug today, and relax on the patio.
Ingredients:
6 lemons
6 cups cold water
1 cup sugar
1 KIA