2010 Kia Forte Sedan: A Worthy Player in the Compact Segment

What’s New:

The stylish looking wedge style exterior design of the Kia Forte compact sedan is new to the line up, replacing the aging Spectra. For the first time the Korean automaker has a vehicle, which competes head-to-head with Honda’s Civic and Toyota’s Corolla, offering more content and horsepower than the vehicle it replaced at virtually the same price.

More importantly, according to the American Leasing Guide, which sets the residual value of vehicles, the Forte is expected to be worth at least 50 percent of its MSRP in three years, which is approximately 7 percent more than the average compact vehicle, making this a first for Kia in this segment.

Must Have Goodies:

For the first time Kia offers optional leather heated seats in a compact, if you upgrade to the EX or SX trims. Ironically, power seats aren’t available with the leather seating package. However, consumers will still be able to find a comfortable seating position, with the supportive, roomy seats.

In addition to Kia offering a value packed vehicle, audio lovers will be glad to know that every Forte has been outfitted with an AM/FM/CD/MP3. The compact Forte also includes a three month complimentary subscription to Sirius Satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity.

Furthermore, the Forte is equipped with a number of standard safety features. While all compacts are built with the typically front air bags, the Forte stands apart from the crowd with the standard side mounted curtain airbags, ABS, Electronic Stability Control and Traction control.

And for those seeking to inch some extra miles out of the fuel-efficient compact, consider ordering a $600 Fuel Economy Package, which includes a five-speed automatic transmission, a Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS), a Smart alternator, low-rolling resistance silica tires and aerodynamic enhancements. Drivers can also order the Premium Package, too, which includes a power roof and 16-inch tires. Unfortunately, the roof is only available as a stand alone option on the upgraded Forte SX trim. The SX trim comes with standard 17-inch tires, too. Furthermore, power windows and a keyless remote entry are standard with the EX and SX trims.

What Rocked:

The Forte offers one of the roomiest interiors in the compact segment, with a neatly organized layout of the controls on the instrument panel. We also found the front seats to be large and comfortable like a midsize vehicle. Yet, unlike most compacts, the upright front seating position and the wide leather seats are comfortable for driving across country.

Moreover, we were surprised at the amount of rear seat leg room. You could actually seat occupants comfortably in the rear. And to aid in their comfort, rear occupants can use the center armrest and the dual adjustable integrated rear headrests, which is available as an option on the base LX and standard on the EX and SX models.

And added to that, Kia offers one of the best warranties for a compact sedan – a 10-year/100,000 mile warranty, which covers engine and powertrain related components.

What We Hated:

While we were extremely impressed with the Forte, the vehicle lacked a temperature gauge. Moreover, the optional leather heated seats in the LX and SX trims didn’t offer a power package. Although this seemed somewhat odd, we were able to find a suitable seating position, with the manual controls. Moreover, unlike some of its competitors, the Forte is lacking a navigational system.

Any Juice:

The Forte provides two, four-cylinder engine configurations, with either a manual or automatic transmission. By stepping up to SX trim, this will give drivers looking for a little more juice, 17 additional horses underneath the hood. Conversely, the extra horses mean you’ll sacrifice around two to three miles per gallon in city and highway driving, according to the federal government’s fuel economy guide.

The Verdict:

Kia is known for offering a high level of equipment at an affordable price. Because of the extremely roomy interior, one of the best in the compact segment, you won’t feel like you’re packed inside of a sardine can. Buyers seeking the new Forte can opt for three trim levels: LX, EX and SX.

Pricing for the Forte start at $13,695 and can easily climb to $21,000, when fully optioned. Kia is definitely making waves, with their fresh designs, improved quality, well equipped vehicles and the automaker’s industry-best warranty.

Competition: Chevy Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla

To configure the Forte or another vehicle, visit our New Vehicle Pricing Guide.