The Kia Forte is completely new for the 2019 mannequin 12 months, and because of its redesign, it is now extra aggressive than ever. If you are in search of one thing small but spacious, comfy and fuel-efficient, Kia’s redesigned Forte can sq. off with the very best of ’em. But not like bigger Kia four-doors — particularly the Optima and particularly the Stinger GT — the Forte is forgettable to drive. That’s a obtrusive omission in an in any other case well-rounded package deal. But is it unhealthy sufficient that you must overlook this in any other case competent sedan?Gobbles miles, sips gasolineThe Forte is a assured street tripper, as I skilled on a weekend drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco and again. Thanks to a cushty driver’s seat and quiet cabin, I had no bother piling on the miles.
Power comes from a naturally aspirated, 2.0-liter I4 engine, making 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, which is about common on this class of compact sedans. Thanks to its responsive, well-tuned repeatedly variable transmission, the Forte can dart up an onramp or cross a slow-moving semi truck simply fantastic. The Forte truly will get Kia’s first implementation of a CVT, and it is a fantastic first effort.
Quite a lot of compact automobiles are utilizing smaller displacement, turbocharged engines for higher gasoline effectivity, however Kia’s 2.0-liter mill is a formidable miser. The EPA charges the Forte EX at 30 miles per gallon within the metropolis and 40 mpg freeway, and my noticed financial system after 825 miles was smack dab within the center at 35.3 mpg. Kia makes an much more environment friendly model of the Forte — the FE — which earns EPA scores of 31 mpg metropolis and 41 mpg freeway. Only the Honda Civic bests the Forte FE so far as gas-only automobiles go. If you need one thing extra environment friendly on this class, it’s important to go hybrid or get a Chevy Cruze Diesel.All Fortes include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that, when paired with the CVT, offers the Kia a few of the finest gasoline financial system within the section.
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Commuters will admire the Forte’s satisfactory acceleration and nice gasoline financial system, however I want the general package deal was extra interesting for driving fans, too. There’s not lots of suggestions by way of the steering, and its motion is fairly mild and obscure. Similarly, whereas the experience high quality is comfy, it’s kind of floaty whereas cornering. Many different automobiles on this class supply higher on-road character.That mentioned, a wealth of driver-assistance tech makes the Forte straightforward to dwell with on lengthy journeys. The Forte EX comes with collision-mitigation braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-keeping help. Adaptive cruise management is obtainable, although sadly not spec’d on my take a look at automotive. The Forte is well-styled, particularly out again with its full-width taillamp therapy.
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Buttoned upThe Kia Stinger is among the finest automotive designs to come back alongside in years, so it is smart that the Korean automaker would imbue the brand new 2019 Forte with styling cues from its larger brother. As a consequence, the third-generation Forte is the best-looking one but — the truth is, I believe it is the second-best-styled compact sedan in the marketplace, solely overwhelmed by the new-for-2019 Mazda3. The Forte’s expressive headlights are complemented by a particular grille underlined by aggressive air intakes within the entrance bumper. The rear is even better-looking than the entrance. My Forte EX comes with LED taillights related by a reflective-lens trim piece, and I even just like the triangular, fake air vents on the corners of the bumper.
Material high quality inside is a few of the finest within the section, with considerate sculpting on the sprint. Compared with its bigger Optima sibling, the Forte is simply a step down when it comes to dimension — the general high quality is about the identical.The heart stack’s 8-inch touchscreen homes the easy-to-use UVO infotainment system that may run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Spacious rear seats supply 37.5 and 35.7 inches of head- and legroom, respectively. That’s 0.4 greater than the Civic Sedan’s rear headroom, however 1.7 inches lower than the Honda’s rear legroom. The Forte additionally gives a beneficiant 15.3 cubic ft of trunk area. Not solely is that close to the highest of the compact class, nevertheless it’s additionally 0.2 cubic ft greater than the midsize Toyota Camry.It could also be boring to drive, however at the least the cabin is entertaining to behold.
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How I would spec itThe base 2019 Kia Forte begins at $17,690, however I would begin with the highest EX trim. For $21,990 you get 17-inch wheels, keyless entry with push-button begin, dual-zone local weather management, an influence driver’s seat, leatherette upholstery, plus heated and ventilated entrance seats. My Forte EX tester is provided with $125 ground mats as the one choice, bringing the as-tested whole to $23,010 together with $895 for vacation spot.That’s an honest quantity of kit, however I would add one other $3,210 for the EX Launch Edition package deal, which intensifies the outside with Fire Orange paint, LED headlights, a rear spoiler and a graphite end on the 17-inch wheels. The package deal additionally provides embedded navigation, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, wi-fi cellphone charger, adaptive cruise management, rear parking sensors, automated excessive beams and a TFT instrument cluster show bumped from 3.5 inches to 4.2. Most crucially for what I would like in a automotive, although, the Launch Edition additionally features a sunroof and a 320-watt, eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The seven-speaker stereo in the usual EX is ok, however the Harman Kardon system’s added subwoofer makes for a significantly better aural expertise.I would pick a number of dealer-installed equipment, too, such because the cargo mat for $95, the $50 cargo web and the cargo hook for $30 (as a result of hooking luggage of groceries inside a trunk is crucial for stopping a jumbled mess), bringing my whole to $26,270 out the door. Even on this absolutely loaded spec, the Forte remains to be a ton of automotive for the cash.This is definitely the best-looking Kia Forte but.
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Weekday warriorThe Kia Forte presents a powerful case for itself within the compact section. It’s good trying, spacious, fuel-efficient and comfy to drive lengthy distances. Unfortunately, it is boring to drive, bested by automobiles such because the Honda Civic, Mazda3 or Toyota Corolla Hatchback, all of that are aggressive in each different regard, as properly.But most compact sedan-buyers place little significance on the fun-to-drive issue. Instead, they care about gasoline financial system, cabin tech and refinement, which is nice information for the 2019 Kia Forte. It offers all these issues, and for large worth. This is among the finest bangs on your buck within the compact area.
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