Honda Civic, Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla, take note. The Kia Forte is a formidable competitor.
The Forte, which replaces the Spectra, is a clean-sheet design that merits a new name. This car could very well become Kia’s forte because it marries clean, simple design with a nicely sized interior and sparkling performance. What more could a small car do?
There are three models: LX, EX and SX. Prices begin at $13,695 and top out at $17,195. The EX and SX have standard power windows and locks, air conditioning, steering-wheel controls for audio and cruise, tweeter speakers and dual front and rear cup holders.
The standard warranty is for five years or 60,000 miles, and the powertrain is warranted for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Both are exceptional for a car in this segment.
The LX and EX have a 156-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine that has continuously variable valve timing. The SX, which I drove, has a 2.4-liter engine and 173 horsepower. It is available with a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic, while the LX and EX come with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
The 2.0-liter engine is rated at 25 miles per gallon in the city and 34 on the highway, while the 2.4 is listed at 22 city and 32 highway.
The test car’s six-speed manual transmission was a breeze to use. The linkage was light and direct. Clutch engagement, however, was very light, and I often had difficulty matching the throttle and clutch release. The automatic would be a better choice for most urban driving.
The Forte sits atop a 104.3-inch wheelbase, and with seating for up to five persons, it has one of the roomiest interiors in the compact segment. There are 43 inches of legroom in front and 35 inches of legroom in back. Plus, the trunk has a best-in-class capacity. The rear seats fold forward to expand the cargo hold, but the pass-through from the trunk to the back seat is fairly narrow and will restrict the size of the items that will fit.
The cabin is not only quiet, but it is also quite attractive. The test car was fitted with the optional heated leather seats and power sunroof. While the front seats did not offer exceptional side bolstering, they were adjustable six ways and adequately comfortable.
The instrument panel is dominated by a three-gauge pod, and the speedometer has a red ring around the outside that grabs your attention. The center stack is simple and clean.
Price
The base price of the test car was $17,195. Options included heated leather seats and a power sunroof. The sticker price was $19,490.
Warranty
Five years or 60,000 miles, with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
2010 Kia Forte SX
Engine: 2.4-liter, 173-hp 4-cyl.
Transmission: Six-speed
Front-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 104.3 inches
Curb weight: 2,723 lbs.
Base price: $17,195
As driven: $19,490
MPG rating: 22 city, 32 hwy.
To contact Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tom@tomstrongman.com.
