Some Korean car manufactures have blatantly copied luxury competitors like the Mercedes Benz or Jaguar. But the Forte only takes the better design cues from the Civic and builds on them with a unique, original and sexy spin on the standard Civic.
So does the new Kia Forte SX offer dependability, comfort, style, and safety at an MSRP that won’t bust the typical budget?
Facts & Figures: 2010 Kia Forte SX
Price as Tested: $20,490.00; Engine, Transmission:Â 2.4 16-Valve DOHC CVVT 4-Cylinder engine with 4-speed automatic transmission; Horsepower: 173; G-Tac as tested Data at 5420 feet above sea level; 1/4 Mile: 18.72 second at 83 mph; 0-60 mph: 11.6 sec; 60-0 stopping: 113 feet; EPA Fuel Economy Estimates; City: 23 mpg, Highway: 31 mpg; Combined: 26.0 mpg; As tested: 23.9 mpg; CO2 per year: 7,826 lbs.
To read more of Roman Mica’s car reviews or to view his car videos, visit: www.tflcar.com.
Facts & Figures: 2010 Kia Forte
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4-cylinder, 2.0L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Economy | 25 city / 34 hwy / 28 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Price as Tested | $20,490.00; Engine, Transmission:Â 2.4 16-Valve DOHC CVVT 4-Cylinder engine with 4-speed automatic transmission; Horsepower: 173; G-Tac as tested Data at 5420 feet above sea level; 1/4 Mile: 18.72 sec |
Article Last Updated: March 31, 2026.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.