2010 Kia Forte Americus GA
2010 Kia Forte
2010 Kia Forte By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor
DriverSide Overview
No longer satisfied being labeled the cheap-o brand from Korea, Kia is launching a massive reinvention tour – á la Britney – in America. It all started with the debut of the 2010 Soul earlier this year – a car whose looks and price-point are grabbing attention. But one good car does not a better brand make, and it is up to the 2010 Forte to follow through. If the Soul is Kia’s champagne and cigarettes, the Forte is their bread and butter. The four-door sedan is the replacement for the Spectra (you’re not alone if you’ve never heard of it), and it’s going after the likes of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla – not easy competition from which to win buyers. After surveying everything from the sexy exterior to the segment-matching drive, we think that the Forte has the chops to make other compacts quake in their rubber. Three trims are available, from a base LX with option-only air conditioning to the high-end SX with a robust 2.4-liter engine. The standard features list – yes, even on the LX – is longer than Shaq’s arm span, and includes Bluetooth connectivity and a USB jack. The Forte won’t be starting any revolutions, but it will play a large part in elevating the Kia name.
What's to Like
Exterior looks may have been snatched from the Honda and Lexus design studios, but they combine to create a good-looking Kia. Standard features like Bluetooth are offered as freely as government bailouts, and an MSRP of $13,695 makes the starting price irresistible.
What's Not to Like
Not offering standard air conditioning on the base model is a seriously poor decision. The same can be said for leaving out a navigation option for the car. While the larger engine has plenty of power, the 2.0-liter engine feels gutless at times. There are only two – count ‘em, two – cup holders in the rear, which happen to be located in the armrest. How’s that supposed to work if you’ve got a full car?
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
The truth is there aren’t any life-changing drives to be found within the budget compact car segment. So to say that the Forte’s drive is good, not great, is a general acknowledgment of the group’s talent as a whole. Steering is light and a tad vague, but bumps in the road are nicely absorbed by the compliant suspension, which adds a responsive feel to the drive. The Forte has two engine options on hand. The first, a 2.0-liter found in the LX and EX, seems slightly underpowered during uphill climbs. However, its 156 hp easily competes with the rest of the field and is more than capable for daily commutes and weekend adventures.