Kia has announced the pricing details on the Kia Forte sedan, which will go on sale at dealerships nationwide later this summer. The 2010 Kia Forte sedan will be available in three trims including LX, EX and SX.
Introduction
Penned by a former Audi designer, the 2010 Kia Forte's sleek exterior signals that it's no longer business as usual in Kia's compact sedan department. The Forte's predecessor, the Spectra, was known for its cut-rate pricing and little else, but the new car announces its presence with authority thanks to crisp overall lines and unusual details like an upswept kink at the A-pillar. There are also derivative elements -- the nose is distinctly Civic-like, for example -- but the Forte is undoubtedly one of the best-looking small sedans on the market. The question is whether the car itself is as good as the wrapper it comes in.
The answer is "not quite," but that's not to say the Forte's beauty is only skin-deep. This Kia is actually a very competitive sedan, from its 156-horsepower base engine to its impressive fuel economy. The interior is pleasant, too, with a clean dashboard layout, plenty of standard features on most trim levels, and decent-quality materials. As with the old Spectra, you get a lot for your money (including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty), but this time around you're not going to feel as if you're driving a red-tag special.
So why aren't we more excited about the Forte? Well, for one thing, the base 2.0-liter engine's four-speed automatic transmission -- the powertrain arrangement we expect most Forte buyers will be opting for -- is saddled with extraordinarily tall gearing. This helps fuel economy, of course, but it also means that you may not be able to summon those 156 horses when you need them. Additionally, the Forte's handling is uninspiring, even in sport-tuned SX form, and the backseat isn't as roomy as one might expect given the Forte's competitive overall passenger volume.
Still, blessed with Kia's usual attractive pricing, the 2010 Kia Forte makes a strong case for itself as a legitimate alternative to established all-stars like the Honda Civic, Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla. The Civic is a better car, but it's relatively pricey, and the current Corolla has little going for it other than Toyota's solid reputation among the buying public. As for the Mazda 3, its driving dynamics are head and shoulders above this crowd, but the Kia's crisp front-end styling is bound to please a wider audience than the Mazda's gaping maw. There can be little doubt that the 2010 Forte marks Kia's arrival as a serious player in this hotly contested segment.
The 2010 Kia Forte is a four-door compact sedan available in LX, EX and SX trims. Standard equipment on the base LX includes 15-inch steel wheels, a six-way-adjustable driver seat, a tilt steering column, Bluetooth connectivity and a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with USB and auxiliary audio jacks. The EX adds air-conditioning, full power accessories, a six-speaker layout for the sound system, cruise control and a 60/40-split folding rear seat with a center armrest and adjustable rear headrests. The SX tacks on a larger 2.4-liter engine, a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, wider tires, foglights, a tilt/telescoping steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an enhanced gauge cluster, a trip computer, unique cloth upholstery and metallic interior trim.
Options on the LX include air-conditioning and the split-folding rear seat, but power accessories are unavailable. The EX has an expanded range of options, including a sunroof, 16-inch alloy wheels and leather upholstery with heated front seats. A Fuel Economy package adds a five-speed automatic transmission, electric power steering, low-rolling-resistance tires and aerodynamic enhancements. SX options are limited to the sunroof and heated leather seats. Notably, the SX's standard tilt/telescoping steering column cannot be specified on the LX and EX trims, which offer tilt only.
Powertrains and Performance
The 2010 Kia Forte LX and EX get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 156 hp and 144 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a four-speed automatic is optional. Ordering the EX's Fuel Economy package changes out the four-speed auto for a more efficient five-speed automatic. The SX has a larger 2.4-liter four that generates 173 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque; it gets a standard six-speed manual transmission or the same optional five-speed automatic as the EX.
For most Forte trim levels, fuel economy is above average for the small car segment. LX and EX models (with either transmission) have a 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined EPA estimate. Opting for the Fuel Economy package bumps the EX's figures to 27/36/30 mpg. The more powerful Forte SX has a less impressive 22/32/26 mpg rating.
Safety
Standard Forte safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.
Interior Design and Special Features
The new Kia Forte's interior doesn't raise the bar for this segment, but it's perfectly adequate, with easy-to-read gauges, a clean layout and generally intuitive audio and climate controls. Standard Bluetooth connectivity across the lineup is also a nice touch. Materials quality is good enough to satisfy expectations in this segment. Unfortunately, the telescoping steering column is only available on the SX, meaning taller drivers might have a hard time getting comfortable in the LX and EX.
Kia touts the Forte as one of the roomiest compact sedans on the market, but in our initial testing we found that rear legroom is nonetheless a little tight for those with longer legs. Trunk space, on the other hand, is plentiful, measuring an impressive 14.7 cubic feet.
Driving Impressions
The 2010 Kia Forte isn't exactly a driver's car, even in sport-tuned SX form. There's lots of body roll during enthusiastic cornering, and the steering is rather numb. The ride is comfortable enough, however, and with the exception of intrusive road noise on some surfaces, the Forte is a confident highway cruiser. The four-speed automatic's tall gearing means you've barely crested 3,000 rpm in 2nd gear at 45 mph -- good for your gas budget, but decidedly unhelpful if you need to pass anyone while traveling at that speed.
On the plus side, the automatic shift lever slides through its gates with uncommon weight and precision. The SX's manual shifter, however, is as vague and rubbery as they come. Combined with that model's delayed throttle response, it makes for an unpleasant driving experience despite the 2.4-liter engine's healthier power output
2010 Kia Forte Sedan
2010 Kia Forte Sedan
2010 Kia Forte Sedan
2010 Kia Forte Sedan
2010 Kia Forte Sedan
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