2010 Kia Forte
Not Yet Ranked
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The automotive press is heaping praise on the trendy and feature-laden 2010 Kia Forte. While the Forte's predecessor, the Spectra, was a disappointment to most reviewers, the all-new Forte delivers on style, performance and available features.
The Forte is a class leader in cargo space with its 14.7 cubic feet of cargo volume that has reviewers very excited, but the trunk isn't the only great feature that the Forte has. Features like Bluetooth, SIRIUS satellite radio, USB ports, auxiliary input jacks and even iPod connectivity, which aren't even offered in some of the Forte's competitors, come standard in the Forte.
One of the strongest selling points for the Forte is the price. The Forte LX-the most basic model-starts at just over $13,500 and the LX (which has more features like air conditioning and adjustable head rests) at just under $14,500. That is a serious bargain in comparison to its competitors, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, both of which start off at a base price of over $16,000.
The Forte hasn't been on the market long enough to compete for many awards, but it was NADAguide's "Car of the Month" in August.
Like many small cars, the Forte's weaknesses are its accelerating abilities and rear seat -- both get mixed reviews. The car doesn't accelerate as well as some would like but most agree that it was designed more as a commuter car than a joy-riding machine. The Forte's backseat is also a bit tight so despite the fact that the Forte is advertised as a five-seater, most reviewers say only four will be comfortable.
If you're looking for an affordable small car with excellent gas mileage, a stylish look and an engine that will get the job done, the Kia Forte is well worth a look. That said, if you are looking for something that is a little more fun to drive, you might also want to check out the Mazda3 or the Volkswagen Rabbit. Neither is as fuel efficient as the Forte, but both boast trims with more powerful engines.
The Kia Forte comes as either a sedan or a coupe. The sedan comes in three trims. The standard LX model and the more advanced EX and SX models. The Kia Forte also comes as the XK coupe (which Kia calls the Koup).
- "Built to go head-to-head with the likes of the holy trinity of compact cars -- the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Mazda3 -- the Forte bears no resemblance to nor shares a platform with the outgoing Spectra. Kia made it crystal clear this is a new car, inside and out." - Motor Trend
- "This compact is more than just a piece of transportation. It will take you from point A to B in comfort and style. When you arrive, you'll even have a little money left over to spend on something fun." - Detroit News
- "There can be little doubt that the 2010 Forte marks Kia's arrival as a serious player in this hotly contested segment." - Edmunds
- "In our minds, we had equated "cheap" with, well, cheap. But after putting nearly 500 miles on the Forte EX, which sits in the middle of the Forte line, we changed our stereotypical understanding of "cheap" to a more appropriate "inexpensive." In this instance, that meant remarkable value." - Washington Post
Forte Performance - NA
The Kia Forte's doesn't have as much speed or power as some of its competitors but it works well as a daily driver. Car and Driver sums it up pretty well in saying, "It would be difficult to deliver a driving experience as impressive as the exterior styling, and the Koup struggles. We'd say it's solidly average." Read More
Forte Exterior - NA
The new Kia Forte has a stylish appearance that is fresh and pleasing -- unlike its predecessor, the Spectra, which is seen by the automotive press as an ugly stepsister. According to Edmunds, "The Forte is undoubtedly one of the best-looking small sedans on the market." Read More
Forte Interior - NA
The automotive press says that the Kia Forte's interior is a notch above the competition. From its stylish cabin to its exceptionally roomy trunk to its impressive list of standard features, it's a whole lot of car in a surprisingly affordable package. The Detroit News says, "Where the Forte breaks loose from the pack is inside the cabin, which is well-executed, functional and spacious." Read More
Forte Safety - NA
The Kia Forte hasn't yet completed its crash tests and so it doesn't have ratings in all categories. Nonetheless, it's already impressing many in the automotive press. The Washington Post pointed out, "The Forte's standard safety features, including four-wheel disc brakes and full-length head-curtain airbags, match those found in substantially more expensive cars. " Read More
Forte Reliability - NA
The 2010 Kia Forte comes with a ten-year or 100,000 mile warranty, one of the lengthiest of the class. The Forte's limited powertrain warranty is good for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Read More
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