STRENGTHS:
Aggressively stylish blend of comfort and practicality; a 21st Century compact sedan; numerous standard features not normally offered on a small car; one of the roomiest interiors in its class.
VALUE:
The Forte first debuted in Korea in 2009, and is priced to be as affordable as the Spectra but with more standard features. A tall roof and wide body make the Forte comfortable for passengers who are 6-foot-6, while two adults can easily get in the back seats. Forte boasts 96.8 cubic feet of passenger volume and 14.7 cubic feet of trunk space, some of the best in its class. The Forte competes with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3. Mileage is estimated at 25 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway. MSRP for the base LX starts at $13,695.
WHAT'S NEW:
Intended as the replacement for the Kia Spectra, the brand new Kia Forte presents a new set of styling cues for Kia, suggesting clean European lines that are both sporty and upscale. Kia has endowed the Forte with a long list of uplevel standard features, intending it to compete with the established Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.