The 2017 Kia Forte5 is the hatchback trim of its more well-known sedan sibling. It’s reminiscent of the short-lived, defunct Volkswagen station wagon squareback that debuted in the late 1960s and ceased production six years later.
The VW squareback was underpowered and quirky, but more than 350,000 were manufactured before its demise in 1974. Loyal followers liked the sizable cargo area, drivability, and versatility. The VW’s motto was, “Is it a small sedan that’s a station wagon or a station wagon that’s a sedan?”
Key Takeaways
- Test car: the Forte5 SX, the sport-oriented trim, with a turbocharged engine, 18-inch wheels, dual exhaust tips and larger front brakes.
- $26,125 MSRP and $27,020 as tested.
- 201 horsepower and 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds.
- EPA rating: 23 city, 29 highway and 25 combined mpg with the six-speed manual.
- Cargo: 23.2 cubic feet of space with the rear seat up.
- Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain and 5 years or 60,000 miles on bumper to bumper and roadside assistance.
While similar in concept: a wagon-style cargo area in a sedan, the 2017 Kia Forte5 is far superior to its distant relative with a different name. But like the rest of its current family, it remains unheralded among mainstream buyers who mistakenly don’t realize the improvement throughout the Kia lineup.
Trims and Options
The Forte5 is offered in LX, EX and SX trims. The latter the top trim and my review vehicle, is the sport-oriented edition. It features a turbocharged engine, 18-inch wheels, dual exhaust tips, unique front and rear styling, larger front brakes and LED taillights. An auto-dimming rearview mirror and Uvo eServices are also standard.
Options for the Kia Forte sedan and Forte5 trims include a sunroof, keyless ignition, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, HD radio and a navigation system.
Considering the top competition: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Jetta, Hyundai Elantra and Mazda3, the Forte lineup remains unheralded. But the Forte5 adds another option to Kia’s desire to grab a larger market share against the stalwart brands.
Driving the Forte5
With its six-speed manual transmission option, the Forte5 nearly disavows any association of being a wagon. The smooth, short-shifting transmission is well-matched with precise steering and a commanding presence on the road. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is also available. Acceleration from 0-60 miles per hour is 5.9 seconds, quicker than what logically might be expected in any part of any conversation of hatchback specifications.
The Forte5’s transmission versatility and efficiency alone are sufficient for purchase consideration against some of the country’s top-selling vehicles. But hatchback’s roominess is the bonus. It has 23.2 cubic feet of space with the rear seat up and vastly more with the seatbacks folded down.
Interior Technology and Fuel Economy
Kia’s improvement in recent year extends the instrumentation and infotainment features. It’s refreshing to usual buttons instead of fickle touchscreen option. The navigation system is intuitive and features what would be considered antiquated in some current technology-heavy vehicles. It has buttons for the climate control and other functions.
Fuel economy on manual-equipped models is 26 miles per gallon combined (23 city/30 highway). The seven-speed dual-clutch models are rated at a combined 27 miles per gallon (25 city/32 highway).
Value and Warranty
Honda, Toyota and Ford remain industry leaders for good reasons, not the least of which is resale value. Kia can’t match currently match quality and maybe it never will. But further worthy of consideration is Kia’s industry-leading 10-year, 100,000 powertrain warranty as well its 5-year, 60,000-mile roadside assistance warranty. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $26,125.00.
What Others Say: “Even with the relatively high price tag, the Kia Forte5 SX is worth considering if you’re in the warm hatch market. It packs plenty of driving fun in a practical, attractive package, but unlike the Civic, it also lets you indulge your manual shifting needs along with your comfort and convenience desires. That’s a rare thing today, and we’re glad Kia offers it.” autoblog.com.
2017 Kia Forte5 Verdict
The Kia Forte sedan and Forte5 remain underdogs. But the hatchback trim conjures memories of the simplicity and simpler times during the former VW compact cargo holder’s era. Maybe 45 years from now the Kia Forte5 will be remembered similarly.
The still-unheralded Kia Forte lineup deserves to be more recognized among segment top-sellers from Ford, Honda and Toyota. The Forte5 helps that cause.
Likes: Quiet ride. Overall comfort. Superior trunk space. Smooth short shift.
Dislikes: Should achieve better gas mileage.
Facts & Figures: 2017 Kia Forte5
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price | $26,125 |
| As-Tested Price | $27,020 |
| Engine | 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 201 hp |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph | 5.9 seconds |
| Fuel Economy (as stated in the review, manual) | 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined mpg |
| Fuel Economy (as stated in the review, dual-clutch) | 25 city / 32 highway / 27 combined mpg |
| Fuel Economy (EPA, manual) | 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg |
| Fuel Economy (EPA, dual-clutch) | 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| Cargo | 23.2 cubic feet (rear seat up) |
| Airbags | 6 |
| Warranty | Bumper to bumper 5 yr/60,000 mi; powertrain 10 yr/100,000 mi; roadside assistance 5 yr/60,000 mi |
James Raia
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.
