2010 Kia Forte Sedan
Prices: $13,695-$18,195

The 2009 Kia Spectra was a decent compact sedan but hardly set the world on fire. Its successor, the more stylish Forte four-door, is larger and more powerful. It promises to be a stronger rival to such compacts as the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Mazda3.

The new front-drive Forte (pronounced for-tay) sedan is roomier than the Spectra. It looks more stylish, with a wedge-shaped profile and wider stance. The  wheelbase has been stretched a bit, and the Forte is slightly longer and wider than the Spectra.

Covered here is the Forte sedan. There's a sportier "Koup" (two-door coupe) version of the Forte, but it wasn't immediately available for testing.

The Spectra had a 2-liter, 138-horsepower four-cylinder engine, but the Forte sedan comes with either a 2-liter four with 156 horsepower or a 2.4-liter four with 173 horsepower--more than the most powerful versions of the Corolla or Mazda3.
 
Prices are competitive, ranging  from $13,695 for the base model with a manual gearbox and the lower-horsepower engine  to $18,195 for the top-line model with the larger engine and an automatic transmission.
 
The lower-horsepower engine comes in the entry  LX and mid-range EX models, while the 2.4 four-cylinder powers the top-line Forte SX. The SX is more athletic with its sport suspension, bigger front brakes and larger 17-inch (vs. standard 15-inch) alloy wheels and low-profile 45-series tires.

All Fortes have major safety items, such as front-side and side-curtain air bags and electronic stability and traction control, besides four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution for surer stops.

The LX has only a fair amount of comfort and convenience equipment, such as a tilt steering column. For instance a 60/40 split folding rear seat for more cargo room is optional for the EX, which isn't offered with power windows or door locks. A rear armrest with dual cupholders also is optional, but standard on the higher-line models.

The EX and SX have standard air conditioning, power windows and door locks with remote keyless entry--and steering-wheel mounted audio and cruise control. The SX steering column also adds a telescoping feature so people of various sizes can get more comfortable.

However, a sunroof for the EX, along with 16-inch alloy wheels, is $800, and a sunroof for the SX costs $600. Also, a $1,000 leather package, which includes heated front seats, is optional for the EX with the automatic transmission. That package is also offered at $1.000 for the SX with either manual or automatic transmissions.

The Forte EX and LX come with a standard five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. The SX has a standard six-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic.

Manual transmissions generally provide more driving fun in small cars, but the Forte's manual shifter is rather vague and the clutch should have a more progressive action. The automatic in the EX and LX shifts OK, but could  use a fifth gear.

One reason for buying a car such as the Forte is the desire for high fuel economy, and the Forte doesn't disappoint here. Estimated economy for the  LX and EX is 25 mpg in the city and 34 on highways with either manual or automatic transmissions.. It's 22 and 32 with the larger SX engine and the six-speed manual and 23 and 31 with that engine and the five-speed automatic.

Those who want higher fuel economy can order a fuel economy package, available for  $600 in the EX with the automatic transmission. With it, estimated economy jumps to 27 mpg city, and 36 highway.

I mainly tested an EX sedan with an automatic transmission. The 156-horsepower engine can't match the larger engine for performance, but provides decent acceleration. It's noisy  during hard acceleration, but is  sophisticated with dual overhead camshafts, variable valve timing nd multi-port electronic fuel injection. The four-speed automatic transmission is responsive.

Large door handles assist entry. Once inside the roomy interior, gauges are easily read and sound system and climate controls are commendably large and easy to use. Front seats provide decent support, and nicely sized rearview mirrors help provide good aft visibility. The optional leather-wrapped steering wheel is easy to grip.

The power windows can be easily stopped when lowered, instead of racing down with little or no driver control of them. The glove compartment is only moderately large, but there are a fair number of in-cabin interior storage areas. Front console dual cupholders are conveniently located.

Kis calls the Forte a five-seater, but a hard rear center seat area makes it comfortable for only four occupants.

The new Kia offers a good blend of comfort and sport. The quick steering is nicely weighted, being neither too light or overly heavy. My test car's ride became choppy on rough suburban side streets, but otherwise was OK. The brake pedal had a linear action, but the brakes became a little grabby when wet.

The Forte's large trunk has a low, wide opening. Its lined lid raises easily on struts, but has no interior pull-down-assist feature. The rear seatbacks have in-trunk releases and sit flat when flipped forward for more cargo room, although the pass-through area from the trunk to the rear-seat is only moderately large.

The hood is held up with a prop rod that is awkward to use, but underhood fluid filler areas are easily reached.

The Forte fits in a very competitive part of the auto market, but shows that Kia is becoming more competitive here.