CD Article: 2010 Kia Forte

[CD_Editor]

         
First Drive:


Replacing the Spectra, the all-new 2010 Kia Forte is a "home run" by comparison, with better fuel economy and handling, and great value in all trims, says Contributing Editor Chris Chase.  But it needs better-quality interior materials, he says.
 More: View the photos | All the First Drives

[toolatecrew]

I'll be anxious to see if a stick shift tranny makes the car more appealing. Sounds like the gearing i n the auto isn't great. I had high hopes that this car might be a top 5 competitor. It has all the elemens styling, sporty hndeling, price. Sounds like KIA needs another generation to integrate all the elements together.

[BernardP]

This is the 4th review of the Forte I see on a Canadian web site, and in each instance, only the automatic version has been tested. Kia Canada has really missed the boat on manual transmission availability during its press days.

I have test driven the Kia Forte with both engines and manual transmissions. I'm crossposting my comments below from the Kia Forte Thread in the "New and Upcoming Cars" forum.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,61114.20.html

see at mid-page

------------------------------------

Back to back test drives of the Forte LX 5-speed manual and SX 6-speed manual

I had an appointment this morning to test drive both EX and SX manual versions of the Forte. It turned out that there was no EX available, and I drove a base LX with the 2.0L and 5-speed manual. This is an acceptable subsitute for the EX, as LX and EX only differ in equipment level and tire size.

The test loop I chose was fairly complete, with a lot of badly broken pavement on local roads, followed by highway driving, including a long uphill section. I drove the test loop with the LX first, then switched to the SX and drove over the same course. Here are the highlights:

--- Engine: Although the 2.0L (LX EX) is adequate, the 2.4L in the SX feels markedly stronger. The difference in normal driving is low-end torque. There is not much below 3000 rpm with the 2.0, while the 2.4 has some grunt off the line and pulls strongly from 2500 rpm.

--- Transmission: Both the 5-speed (LX) and 6-speed (SX) are slick shifting. Throws are short and precise. The 5-speed has the 2.0L engine spinning at 3000 rpm at 120 kmh, which is perfect (not too tall), as there is still a decent throttle response available. On the 6-speed, 5th is almost the same as on the 5-speed, while the 6th gear drops revs to 2500 rpm at 120 km. On the long highway uphill climb, the 2.0 engine needs a downshift in 4th to built momentum, while the 2.4 engine is able to build up speed slowly in 5th.

--- Ride: Certainly the surprise of the day. The ride on both cars is tight and well controlled. There is no floating sensation. Even on the worst pavement sections, there was no bottoming of the suspension. The SX is set up just a bit tighter than the LX, but not excessively so, and remains comfortable. Steering feel is simply acceptable. It's not too light, but offers not much feel for road texture.

--- Tires: Major disapointment on the LX. The Hankook Optimo OEM tires are very noisy, even at low speed. My current winter tires are quieter than these tires. The salesman agreed with me on this. If I was to purchase the EX, which has the same tires, I would need to replace the tires with something better before taking delivery of the car. There is no tire noise problem with the upgraded tires (Goodyear Eagle LS2) on the SX

--- Noise: For its class, the Forte is commendably quiet, except for the tire noise noted above. The body feels rock solid and there was no rattle in the LX, and an occasionnal click coming from the rear seatback on the SX. No rattle in the sunroof.

--- Stereo: I didn't listen to the 4-speaker base stereo in the LX, but tried the 6-speaker premium stereo in the SX. I had brought with me a USB key with some music samples. The sound quality is very good for a factory radio in that class of cars. The bass is satisfying and the treble is clear, with ample sound level, at least for me. I could easily live with this stereo without feeling I need an upgrade.

--- Other impressions: Interior space is great for the class, visibility is excellent, as the seat can be raised to get a good view above the relatively low beltline. Windshield is steeply raked, so top of dash is deep. Leather seats in the SX look and feel good, while cloth seats on the LX have a nice pattern. No mouse fur on roof lining.

Verdict: I am ready to get the SX, as the 2.0 L engine is not powerful enough for my taste. I feel the SX is worth the $3000 price premium over the EX. As I'm not confident enough in Kia's resale value, I only want to lease the Forte, not buy it. Unfortunately, Kia only offers leases for 24-36-48 months periods. I would have been ready to discuss a 39 months to 42 months lease, but it's not available. I want the lease to end in early fall, not in the middle of summer. So I told the salesman that I would come back to see him in September.

[Cortina]

This screams like I can't afford the Civic. So I get the clone instead. 

[rrocket]

I know some people who dislike the Civic exterior...and others who can't stand the interior.  I think this car is a good alternative....(I don't think the Civic or the Forte look bad though).

[Mitlov]

I know some people who dislike the Civic exterior...and others who can't stand the interior.  I think this car is a good alternative....(I don't think the Civic or the Forte look bad though).

I really dislike the looks of the current Civic, inside and out.  This does look much nicer.  While a see a distinct "Acura-ish-ness" about its exterior, it doesn't look at all like the current Civic to me.

[vdk]

This screams like I can't afford the Civic. So I get the clone instead. 

Seriously... it's a Civic... not exactly a Bentley..

[Thinking Out Loud]

I'll be anxious to see if a stick shift tranny makes the car more appealing. Sounds like the gearing i n the auto isn't great. I had high hopes that this car might be a top 5 competitor. It has all the elemens styling, sporty hndeling, price. Sounds like KIA needs another generation to integrate all the elements together.

Isn't Kia still supposed to be the 'lesser' brand to Hyundai?  If so, then the next-gen Elantra based on the Forte platform likely will be the one fully buttoned up when it shows....otherwise I don't think there should be any reason the two cars should be drastically different.

But, then again, Buick was building award winning vehicles where Pontiac was building, well, Pontiacs.  Suppose common ownership doesn't guarantee consistancy after all.

[Cortina]

This screams like I can't afford the Civic. So I get the clone instead. 

Seriously... it's a Civic... not exactly a Bentley..

I know.  Must be just as easy creating your own look. Maybe they want to appeal Honda's bread and butter the civic buyer. Copping someone is often the biggest form of flattery.

[The Mighty Duck]

Copping someone is often the biggest form of flattery.

Copping someone might be flattering, but it's also likely to land you in front of a judge.  Or at least a talking to from the sexual harassment department.

[chrischasescars]

Isn't Kia still supposed to be the 'lesser' brand to Hyundai?  If so, then the next-gen Elantra based on the Forte platform likely will be the one fully buttoned up when it shows....otherwise I don't think there should be any reason the two cars should be drastically different.

But, then again, Buick was building award winning vehicles where Pontiac was building, well, Pontiacs.  Suppose common ownership doesn't guarantee consistancy after all.

Given that the current Elantra was based on the same platform as the Spectra, and that the Hyundai turned out to be a much better car, then yes, I think the next Elantra - if it's built on the Forte's platform - will be an even better car than the current Elantra.

Kia is positioned as the "value" brand, but also as the sportier of the two.

I'll be anxious to see if a stick shift tranny makes the car more appealing. Sounds like the gearing i n the auto isn't great. I had high hopes that this car might be a top 5 competitor. It has all the elemens styling, sporty hndeling, price. Sounds like KIA needs another generation to integrate all the elements together.

I don't think the gearing in the automatics is the problem. I think it's the inherent parasitic losses that go along with matching an automatic tranny with a four-cylinder engine. When I drove the cars, the extra power in the SX was noticeable, but mostly in the engine's high-end. As BernardP noted in his remarks (nice contribution, by the way), engines like these perform their best with a manual transmission.

[johngenx]

I think they'll sell.  Tons of content for the dough.  Heated seats?  Stability control?  When people see all the goodies they get, it might add up to good volumes.

The advertising campaign attracts attention, but doesn't show the car much.

[Mitlov]

John, your new sig is a bucketload of win.

[mmret]

John, your new sig is a bucketload of win.

Oh the irony, Mr. Tireless Rebutter.

[random006]

John, your new sig is a bucketload of win.

Oh the irony, Mr. Tireless Rebutter.

He is right, however.

[Cortina]

I think they'll sell.  Tons of content for the dough.  Heated seats?  Stability control?  When people see all the goodies they get, it might add up to good volumes.

The advertising campaign attracts attention, but doesn't show the car much.

Another thing is these KIA are looking better and better even than Hyundai's. They don't look as cheap either against the compo.