2014 Kia Forte

Not long ago when you went shopping for a compact your choices ranged from boring to somewhere just north of dull which makes this car even more amazing.  It’s the all-new 2014 Kia Forte.

Kia and its sister company Hyundai are renowned for packing their vehicles with features that are way out of their league.  But this new Forte takes it to a whole new level.  Available in base LX and like this one, top of the line EX trim levels, the Forte has a base MSRP of $16,700.  But the EX distinguishes itself not only for its exclusive 2.0-liter engine but for the amenities you can have in it.  My tester goes all-in with these edgy 17” wheels and 2 very large packages; the premium and the EX technology.  The later adding xenon headlights, dual zone climate control, the brilliant UVO eServices-fueled navi system with SIRIUS Traffic, HD radio, an LCD meter cluster and the presence-making LED taillights, most stunning at night.  And how about automatic power folding mirrors with puddle lights, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, push button start with smart key, driver’s side memory settings…yup, it’s all in here.  You’d typically have to spend upwards of $50,000 for this panoply of goodies and even then might not be able to get all of them.  This Forte is priced at $25,515.  And as you can see, it’s not just a hodgepodge of buttons in the greenhouse either, but a quality build and modern design that’s attractive to the eye.  The leading competitors have just had the bar raised – significantly.

Longer, lower and wider than the previous Forte, this car was styled in California and bears Kia’s new family grille.  I’m unmoved by the sterile front-end design but from the back the Forte looks very much the part of the European sport sedan from which it was modeled.

When you move up to the Forte EX, the engine size increases from 1.8 to 2.0-liters, taking horsepower from 148 to 173.  But if you’re a manual fan that option gets left to the LX trim – all EX models move with a 6-speed automatic.  The driving experience wasn’t what I expected but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  For one, you sit tall in the driver’s seat giving the Forte an almost crossover-like view of the road.  Secondly, with struts in the front and a torsion beam in the rear, the suspension is tuned for more plushness and not the sporty driving the body advertises.  There are the 3 selectable steering modes, one of which is sport requiring more effort, but the Forte’s drivability is more in line with its luxurious cabin, skewing softer than its rivals giving shoppers a nice alternative in style.  It also sometimes feels sluggish when the transmission’s mapping has fuel economy on its mind, otherwise there’s plenty of gumption.  When compared to the class-leading Civic, the Forte is more powerful, weighs less, and offers more passenger and cargo volume.  But you pay for that added muscle at the pump where at 24mpg city/36mpg highway the Forte trails the Civic by 4mpg combined.

I’d bet a high percentage of compact sedan shoppers prefer creature comforts and conveniences in an attractive wrapper at a good price over a tuned driving experience and if that defines you than the 2014 Kia Forte will certainly impress.