The second-generation Forte looks really good from both ends. (From the Internet)
Although compact sedans seem to have lost some following lately because of the evolution of crossovers, there are still some enthusiasts who are dedicated to vehicles in this segment.
And the reason is quite simple. Compact sedans have good looks, comfortable suspensions and enough space for an average family.
Car companies have also done a good job keeping the compact sedan segment competitive by coming up with exciting new models every now and then.
But not too many know that Korean automaker Kia has a bet in this segment. It’s called the Forte and it has promising qualities that make a compact sedan successful.
The Gateway Group, dealers of Kia vehicles in the Queen City of the South, gave Cebu Daily News a chance to check out the second generation of the nameplate last weekend for this review.
As we mentioned earlier, for a compact sedan to be successful, it has to have good looks. It’s safe to say the Forte would pass this first test with flying colors.
At first glance, one would think the Forte was a premium car because of its elegant design, especially up front where it has a lot of similarities with the more expensive Kia Optima midsize sedan.
The Forte’s exterior gets more interesting at the rear with its unique LED taillight combination assembly.
The Forte’s dual-zone auto climate control not only helps keep the cabin cool, it also makes the interior look classy.
The overall exterior look is complemented by 205/55 R16 tires on alloy wheels on all four corners.
The high-end feel continues inside, thanks to features such as the Smart Key passive entry system with push-button engine start/stop, dual-zone climate control, tilt/telescopic steering column with leather wrapping on the three-spoke wheel that also houses satellite controls for the audio system, and soft-touch materials in some parts of the cabin.
The transmission knob is leather-wrapped, and the instrument cluster has a dot matrix LCD display.
There’s also a small screen in the middle of the dashboard that doubles as touchscreen controls for the audio system and display for the backup camera that comes standard.
And since comfort is also a huge factor when it comes to choosing a compact, the Forte is kept stable and comfortable via an independent MacPherson Strut front suspension and Coupled Torsion Beam Axle at the back.
The dashboard looks simple but there are a lot of nifty features that give it a premium feel. (CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA)
The Forte also steers well because of its FLEX Steer system that varies effort and feedback from the motor-driven power steering system.
Powering the Forte sedan is a 1.6-liter Gamma 16-valve 4-cylinder engine that produces with 130 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 157Nm of torque at 4,850 rpm. Power is transferred through the front wheels using a 6-speed automatic transmission with a sport mode.
Upon testing the Forte, we noticed that although the numbers aren’t quite impressive on paper, the 1.6-liter engine does have enough grunt to allow one to enjoy spirited driving in the city, where sedans are most useful. Fuel efficiency is also decent.
To keep its occupants safe, the Forte is equipped with front airbags, antilock brakes, parking assist and Isofix child-seat anchors.
The Forte has everything a typical compact sedan should have. But will it fare well against its more famous Japanese counterparts? We believe it can, especially with the Gateway Group marketing it.