It's amazing how quickly things are changing in the compact-sedan field. Just two years ago, when the all-new Kia Forte hit the market as a 2010 model, I heaped praise upon it, calling it one of the best compact sedans on the market and awarding it a coveted spot on my Best New Cars of 2010 list. Now here we are heading into 2012, and the Forte is already falling back to mid-pack.
This has nothing to do with any deficiencies in the Forte itself. It's still a fantastic car -- good looking, roomy, and a smart buy, especially in mid-level EX trim. When it was introduced in 2010, the Forte surprised me with its well-trimmed, high-quality interior, a complete change from the cheap cabins I'd come to expect from Kia. For 2011, the Forte now offers navigation and automatic climate control in the top-of-the-range SX model, which means the Forte can be had with most of the goodies found in high-end mid-size sedans.
No, the Forte's problem is that the competition has gotten a lot better. For 2011, Hyundai (Kia's parent company) has introduced the Elantra, which beats the Forte on fuel economy, value, and (arguably) style. The new-for-2012 Ford Focus offers European flair and great driving dynamics with great gas mileage. Chevrolet's Cruze Eco is another great American-made choice, and Nissan's new 2012 Versa offers comparable space and better fuel economy at a significantly lower price. All of these cars offer fuel economy estimates of around 30 MPG in town and 38 to 40 or more on the highway; the best the Forte can manage is 26 city/36 highway.
2011 Kia Forte interior
Photo © KiaPart of the blame can also be laid at Kia's feet: The new Optima mid-size sedan and Sportage SUV show off Kia's latest design language, which I think looks even better than the Forte. And they've hamstrung the Forte a bit by only offering the top-of-the-line SX model with a larger (and thirstier) 2.4 liter engine. The Forte doesn't need the extra power, and I'd rather have the SX's amenities with the EX's more fuel-efficient 2-liter engine.
Which is not to say you shouldn't consider the Kia Forte. It's still a great alternative to mainstream cars like the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla. Compared to the Honda, the Forte's interior is less fussy; compared to the Corolla it's more stylish and better to drive. Kia may not have the same reputation for quality as Honda or Toyota, but the Forte is covered by a fantastically long warranty. And if you're in the mood for something sportier, the two-door Kia Forte Koup is still one of the best small coupes on the market.
To sum up: Though it's reign as lead dog was short-lived, the Forte is still one of the better choices on the market. I'd happily recommend it. -- Aaron Gold
Pros:
- Covers all the basics: Roomy, handsome, well-priced
- Good selection of high-end options
Cons:
- Eclipsed by the competition on fuel economy and style
- Top-of-the-line SX only available with bigger, less fuel-efficient engine
- Lacks the cutting-edge style of newer Kia designs
Description
- Forte is Kia's compact sedan, introduced in 2010 with more creature comforts for 2011
- Price range: $15,690 -$23,140 ($23,140 as tested)
- Powertrain: 2.0 or 2.4 liter 4-cylinder, 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive
- EPA fuel economy estimates: 25 MPG city/34 MPG highway (2.0 manual), 26/36 (2.0 automatic), 23/32 (2.4 automatic)
- Best rivals: Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze
