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2010 Kia Forte Review

August 20, 2009

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Bottom line, this is one slick-looking compact
Motor Trend

Undoubtedly one of the best-looking small sedans on the market
Edmunds

Cabin is nicely appointed
Automobile Magazine

The all-new Kia 2010 Forte signals that Kia is ready to compete for top honors in the hugely crowded compact sedan segment. While it’s not a perfect vehicle (what is?), the 2010 Kia Forte makes a strong visual statement and backs it up with a wealth of features and impressive levels of comfort and quality. Most top review sources, along with the editors at TheCarConnection.com, think that the Forte is a very good-looking small sedan.

The 2010 Kia Forte is Kia’s “new bread-and-butter car that replaces the Spectra,” according to Motor Trend, and it will arrive on dealer lots in “three trim levels: the base spec LX, the volume EX…and the top trim SX.” The Kia 2010 Forte features an all-new design that is very well-received in reviews surveyed by TheCarConnection.com. Edmunds raves that the Kia Forte boasts an “attractive exterior design,” and even goes so far as to say “the Forte is undoubtedly one of the best-looking small sedans on the market.” Cars.com is more reserved, remarking that “if you’ve experienced Honda’s Civic, the car will seem very familiar,” especially in terms of overall styling. Such comments still don’t stop Car and Driver from claiming that the 2010 Kia Forte “is now the best-looking car in its class; it especially stands out when viewed in person.” Motor Trend does an excellent job of summarizing reviewer sentiment by declaring that, “bottom line, this is one slick-looking compact.”

Inside, the Kia Forte’s cabin doesn’t quite make the same impression as the exterior sheetmetal. While Motor Trend reviewers like that the Kia Forte’s “center stack is clean and uncluttered,” Edmunds contends that the “interior doesn’t raise the bar for this segment.” That’s not to say the interior is a disappointment, just not quite as pleasing as the exterior.

Automobile Magazine does appreciate that the “cabin is nicely appointed, with cloth or leather seats,” and both Edmunds and Motor Trend approve of the “clean layout” of the Kia Forte’s dashboard.

Conclusion

The 2010 Kia Forte has a simple, attractive exterior that looks good from every angle; inside the Forte is attractive but not charismatic.  

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Bottom line, this is one slick-looking compactMotor TrendUndoubtedly one of the best-looking small sedans on the marketEdmundsCabin is nicely appointedAutomobile Magazine The all-new Kia 2010 Forte signals that Kia is ready to compete for top honors in the hugely crowded compact sedan segment. While it’s not a perfect vehicle (what is?), the 2010 Kia Forte makes a strong visual statement and backs it up with a wealth of features and impressive levels of comfort and quality. Most top review sources, along with the editors at TheCarConnection.com, think that the Forte is a very good-looking small sedan. The 2010 Kia Forte is Kia’s “new bread-and-butter car that replaces the Spectra,” according to Motor Trend, and it will arrive on dealer lots in “three trim levels: the base spec LX, the volume EX…and the top trim SX.” The Kia 2010 Forte features an all-new design that is very well-received in reviews surveyed by TheCarConnection.com. Edmunds raves that the Kia Forte boasts an “attractive exterior design,” and even goes so far as to say “the Forte is undoubtedly one of the best-looking small sedans on the market.” Cars.com is more reserved, remarking that “if you’ve experienced Honda’s Civic, the car will seem very familiar,” especially in terms of overall styling. Such comments still don’t stop Car and Driver from claiming that the 2010 Kia Forte “is now the best-looking car in its class; it especially stands out when viewed in person.” Motor Trend does an excellent job of summarizing reviewer sentiment by declaring that, “bottom line, this is one slick-looking compact.” Inside, the Kia Forte’s cabin doesn’t quite make the same impression as the exterior sheetmetal. While Motor Trend reviewers like that the Kia Forte’s “center stack is clean and uncluttered,” Edmunds contends that the “interior doesn’t raise the bar for this segment.” That’s not to say the interior is a disappointment, just not quite as pleasing as the exterior. Automobile Magazine does appreciate that the “cabin is nicely appointed, with cloth or leather seats,” and both Edmunds and Motor Trend approve of the “clean layout” of the Kia Forte’s dashboard. ConclusionThe 2010 Kia Forte has a simple, attractive exterior that looks good from every angle; inside the Forte is attractive but not charismatic.   2010 KIA FORTE STYLING | [8 out of 10] Motor Trend: “Bottom line, this is one slick-looking compact” Edmunds: “Undoubtedly one of the best-looking small sedans on the market” Automobile Magazine: “Cabin is nicely appointed” The all-new Kia 2010 Forte signals that Kia is ready to ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2010 Kia Forte lands in a crowded field of compact sedans, though it holds its own thanks to its ride and refinement, which are near the head of the pack, and its very generous list of standard technology and safety features. Bluetooth and steering-wheel controls with voice activation aren't standard on any of these other models, but they are on the Forte—even the base LX model. Within this group, the Corolla is the legendary leader for reliability, longevity, and all-around frugal driving, but the Corolla isn't quite as refined as the Forte. The Hyundai Elantra is another one of our top picks in this class, but the Forte strikes a simpler, more elegant, pose from the outside. The Chevy Cobalt is especially roomy and has a good ride but skimps on the features, while the styling on the Focus still isn't to everyone's liking. Among these, our favorite is the Mazda3, but admittedly it's not perfect, and in terms of features, the Forte has it beat.

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See the Kia Forte in Other Years:

2010

Comments (5 total)

  1. By Jim #1, Posted: 9/29/2009

    I've had the Forte for 3 months now and I'm very happy. I travel 54 miles per day, mostly highway and have been getting 38-40mpg consistently with the EX model. Comfortable ride with plenty of trunk space.

  2. By  KiaForteClub #2, Posted: 10/12/2009

    The car defiantly has providential. I'm on the look out of other owners. Please stop by the web page, and get a community growing for this cheap spectacular car.

  3. By  Auto chart #3, Posted: 10/21/2009

    looks more like a Honda Civic to me, with revised things here and there

  4. By  Mark Casazza #4, Posted: 11/21/2009

    After reading this and other reviews A was sceptically taking one out for a test drive. What is the real bottom line? For the money (or several thousands more) this car has the most room, most horse power, very respectable mileage, and the ride is just fine. I will agree that the throttle and clutch are different from most cars, but nothing you won't figure out in a few days. It took me 3 test drives to get there.
    I just picked up my Bright Silver SX 6-speed sedan last night and I was real impressed climbing the hills on the way home. I won't get the 38 MPG my 100HP Saturn got, but I expect to be getting 33 to 34 and having a lot more fun behind the wheel.

  5. By Vanessa #5, Posted: 11/22/2009

    I bought the forte last sunday 11/15 and i love it. I drove from from homestead to orlando on one tank of gas. GREAT gas mileage. Compared to my old izuzu amigo. I made it to orlando and still had gas to spare. Filled up my tank with 28 dollars and it was above the full line.. i absolutely love this car. Bluetooth feature is awesome, it has things to plug in ipod and the brakes are amazing. The satellite radio rocks and there is a setting that tells you when you are driving fuel efficiently. it says "ECO" of the dash board. in my opinion great car love the leg room and the back seat is comfy and the trunk space is huge!!
    only downer would be the color inside. it comes in a beige and light grey. :( not good for drivers or passengers that spill things... but there are always car seat covers that can be bought!! :)

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