Topic: 2014 Kia Forte 5

[conwelpic]

the mirrors can be turned off or on via a button on the drivers armrest next to the regular mirror control, so they don't have to auto function if you don't want too. 

you can download the owners manual from Kia Canada to read up on any of the features
http://www.kia.ca/kia-owners-manuals

[Slow_lane]

REF Mazda: What we found was akin to a tablet having been crazy glued onto the top of the middle of the dash, ruining the flow of the dash. So if you like things sticking out of the top of the dash as opposed to a co-ordinated design flow, then this car is for you!


Ref Kia: Immediately on driving the Kia the steering did not impress, on center.

With regards to Mazda's dash. I hate what they have done in that respect. It seems to be the trend nowadays. So many cars have the screens that look like an after thought.

Zack Spencer of Driving television said the Kia's steering on center sloppiness required constant correction to keep it going straight down a highway. I was so sorry to hear that comment as that is a deal breaker on an otherwise very interesting and nice car. It seems that you experienced the same.

[dougjp]

Yes, I wasn't specifically thinking about the steering when I drove the Kia and noticed it. And I never had it on a highway, just town and secondary roads. Also there was no wind that day. I'm used to driving many cars with electric steering, including some that aren't rated that highly by reviewers, but are "easily liveable".

Kia should be aware of, and able to fix this, I would hope.

[tortoise]

Kia should be aware of, and able to fix this, I would hope.

Agreed.  But not likely on this generation. 

Are these the only two you are looking at? 

Given your criticisms I would still take the Mazda as I would rate its negatives lower and the steering/quality of the Kia higher.

[dougjp]

Kia should be aware of, and able to fix this, I would hope.

Agreed.  But not likely on this generation. 

Are these the only two you are looking at? 

Given your criticisms I would still take the Mazda as I would rate its negatives lower and the steering/quality of the Kia higher.

I agree with you in terms of that comparison. It took a while for the steering issue to sink in. It would have killed the deal on a second test drive anyway if it was like Driving television found, as I would be examining it closer and take the car on a more extended drive.

No they aren't the only two, however they were at the top of my list. Generally I'm not looking at anything bigger than the Verano and nothing that I consider anemic. Unfortunately I need to have an automatic for so my wife can drive it. There are lots of other factors too that eliminate various makes, for example if there are no dealers within a reasonable distance. I'm looking at new and also late model used. It will be a replacement for the Jetta in order to move to a recent model year. I might even try to sell the Jetta first, maybe through the classified section here.

[Solstice2006]

Kia should be aware of, and able to fix this, I would hope.

Agreed.  But not likely on this generation. 

Are these the only two you are looking at? 

Given your criticisms I would still take the Mazda as I would rate its negatives lower and the steering/quality of the Kia higher.

I agree with you in terms of that comparison. It took a while for the steering issue to sink in. It would have killed the deal on a second test drive anyway if it was like Driving television found, as I would be examining it closer and take the car on a more extended drive.

No they aren't the only two, however they were at the top of my list. Generally I'm not looking at anything bigger than the Verano and nothing that I consider anemic. Unfortunately I need to have an automatic for so my wife can drive it. There are lots of other factors too that eliminate various makes, for example if there are no dealers within a reasonable distance. I'm looking at new and also late model used. It will be a replacement for the Jetta in order to move to a recent model year. I might even try to sell the Jetta first, maybe through the classified section here.

You will have more luck with Kijiji, I used both for my last two cars I sold...

[dougjp]

Zack Spencer of Driving television said the Kia's steering on center sloppiness required constant correction to keep it going straight down a highway. I was so sorry to hear that comment as that is a deal breaker on an otherwise very interesting and nice car. It seems that you experienced the same. [/color]

OK, so "hold the phone". 

Please give us a link to that. I spent some time searching Driving Television and all I could find for a Kia Forte was his review of a sedan with the 2.0 engine. It was from the previous Season 10, Episode 1013. In that, he said "I've been a big complainer about Korean manufacturer's power steering. This one feels pretty good, but that might also be because this one has the larger 17" wheels".

'Pretty good' vs. keeping it on the highway are extremes in my opinion. I don't see the deal breaker?  Where.

[quadzilla]

He has is own channel now on Youtube called Motormouth Canada.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX13wwdzipRhH001W3X0WyQ

Here is the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME_mY28uOSk&list=UUX13wwdzipRhH001W3X0WyQ

[dougjp]

He has is own channel now on Youtube called Motormouth Canada.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX13wwdzipRhH001W3X0WyQ

Here is the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME_mY28uOSk&list=UUX13wwdzipRhH001W3X0WyQ

Thanks for that.    I didn't know about that site, looks good for (as he says) reviews on the kind of cars most people end up looking at.

[dougjp]

He has is own channel now on Youtube called Motormouth Canada.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX13wwdzipRhH001W3X0WyQ

Here is the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME_mY28uOSk&list=UUX13wwdzipRhH001W3X0WyQ

Thanks for that.    I didn't know about that site, looks good for (as he says) reviews on the kind of cars most people end up looking at.

Interesting review of the 2014 Koup here, both the SX turbo and 2.0L being driven on the same day (in terms of steering). And it explains the relatively positive comments about the steering in the review of the sedan a year ago. This 2.0L version had 17" wheels, the turbo has 18".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsTowv3Vj64

So could this be more a simple case of tramlining as 40R18 starts to be too much for this car's suspension and its electric steering.

[Oldsguy]

The monochrome-black interior, right up to the headliner, with only a bit of carbon fiber to contrast slightly, seems very grim. Why can they not give us a bit of a contrast with a lighter color choice? The comment about the quality of the materials is concerning too.

This had the potential to be an interesting choice in the segment. However it seems overpriced if you want one nicely equipped and the issues with the steering are unfortunate. VW Canada says you can get a 2015 GTI starting at $28K. If that's true I see no reason to look anywhere else.