Kia Forte

2017 Kia Forte5: Unheralded hatchback shines tough segment

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?” While similar is 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

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2017 Kia Forte worthy compact option beyond Honda, Toyota

The 2017 Kia Forte is the 10th year of the South Korean compact. It’s among the best of several cars in different segments trying to find a market against some of the country’s long-standing, best-selling vehicles. Matched against the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Jetta, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3 and others, the Forte remains unheralded. It’s in the sixth year of its second generation, but for 2017 has a restyled exterior, including more modern crafted headlights and taillights. Available as a sedan in LX, S and EX trim levels, the Kia Forte also has a hatchback variant, the Forte5, in LX, EX and SX trims. The two-door Forte Koup was discontinued after the 2016 model. For my test vehicle,

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2014 Kia Forte: redesigned, affordable, fuel-thrifty

The 2014 Kia Forte sedan is longer, wider, lower and sleeker than its predecessor, which makes it sound like something from a 1950s or 1960s American car advertisement. The Forte’s predecessor arrived at about the time when desirable compact car rivals hit the scene, so sales have been generally disappointing. Kia thus is presenting the third-generation front-drive Forte to compete with cars such as the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. The Forte fits between Kia’s subcompact Rio and the automaker’s Optima mid-size sedan. While Kia may not use 1950s “longer-lower-wider” advertising for the new Forte, its all-new slightly longer, lower and wider chassis does allow more room than the outgoing model’s. And its “cab-forward” front-end styling provides better visibility. The

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2014 Kia Forte Review: New design delivers sedan hit

Four model years after its debut in the United States, the 2014 Kia Forte represents a new look for the South Korean carmaker. Sports car sedan is an oxymoron, but the newly designed Forte’s look fits the odd definition. The 2014 edition is more aggressive-looking than its older sibling, and it’s longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, too. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2014 Kia Forte is available in base LX and the more-option filled EX model. I drove the latter, and it includes an adjustable steering wheel, foglights, LED running lights, chrome accents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rearview camera, sliding console armrest and a fold-down rear center armrest. My test vehicle, which included a four-cylinder with 173

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Kia Forte, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

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:  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

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