Forte Delivers Quality, Class in Economical Package

2010 Kia Forte EX

model as tested $19,290

Test Drove 10/6/09 – 10/19/09
reviewed by Courtney Messenbaugh

Lately I’ve had the opportunity to drive a lot of comfortable, well-performing and perfectly family-friendly cars. The only trouble is most of these cars cost more than $50,000. As a result, I wondered if value — i.e., a comfortable, well-performing and family-friendly car for a price well below $50K — even exists anymore. The last economy car I drove, the 2009 Chevy Aveo, was less than impressive and only supported my growing suspicion that value was dead.

However, the Kia Forte, a new entry in the compact-car market for 2010, restored my faith in value. The Forte is comfy and nice-looking; it performed well, and despite seeming small, fit my family and all of our gear without a problem. All of that for a car with a base price of $13,695. That certainly spells value to me. At that price, you won’t find a lot of niceties on the base trim, but you can easily step up into the midlevel EX trim, which starts at $15,995.

Speaking of a less than $20,000 base price, this car drove better than some more-than-$20,000 cars I’ve tested. Heck, it was even better than some cars over $30,000. I’m not crazy and won’t compare it to driving a luxury sedan, but the Forte is very good for its price.

Sure, you could almost hear its little engine saying “I think I can” when hitting steep hills, but that’s not unexpected from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is standard on the base LX and midlevel EX. On the high-end SX, you can get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. On the whole, my test car — an EX — had a smooth ride and enough power in the performance department. It’s easy to maneuver — it turned on the proverbial dime — and it’s relatively quiet, too.

Adding to the Forte’s value is its great gas mileage. With an EPA-estimated 25/34 mpg city/highway, you’ll be spending a lot less on gas. Think about it: You’ll save money on the car’s price as well as its fuel, and you’ll line your pockets with extra cash to buy clothes, shoes, spa days and yoga retreats! Sign me up…

Overall, I think the Forte’s competition, which includes the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, should be a little nervous because this little car stays true to its name and is strong in all of the places it needs to be.

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