Test bench | Kia Forte 5: the price we pay

With the Forte, Kia is putting itself in a position to win over those consumers who no longer really see the point of investing as much in a car as they once did.

Eric LeFrancois
special collaboration

Volontary simplicity

Just take a look at the latest news. More sophisticated utilities, always more expensive, and electric vehicles that are difficult to access (rarity and price), but few accessible mass market models. The Kia Forte is resisting — like a handful of others — this gentrification trend.

Obsessed as ever by the move upmarket of their products, the manufacturers are expelling from their catalog the so-called “popular” models. Chevrolet no longer sells the Cruze, Ford has given up on the Focus, Dodge has long given up on the Dart. Volkswagen has abandoned (on our continent) the Golf, while the Lancer has had no descendants. Barely 10 years ago, all of these cars belonged to the category—a favorite of Quebec motorists—of compacts.

Aware that their profits depend on the most profitable models, car brands invest in priority in high-paying segments such as SUVs or vans, without worrying too much about rejuvenating entry-level versions. After all — and the dealers recognize it — this “cheap” category generates an unattractive profit per unit. Why be stubborn? And why not ? If new vehicles often remain out of reach of many people, it is not only a problem of price, and it is this, too, that worries the manufacturers. They have to face growing competition from other goods and services (communications, housing, electronic devices) that have come to solicit the family budget.

Against a current

In its own way, the Forte goes against the current of the dominant credo which drives ever more sophisticated, bulkier, taller and more efficient models. And its current success – its market share has practically tripled over the past seven years – is partly due to the fact that the contract with customers is clear: an excellent price-performance ratio, underpinned by a very rational design of the automobile.

So why spend more on personal mobility? That’s sort of the question Kia is asking with the Forte. And the Rio, if you go see our “Technical sheet” tab. And that’s not sad either. Even if a key, a real one, is necessary to start the engine, rest assured, the Forte is nothing rustic.

No cranks, but electric windows, an infotainment screen with the expected connectivity (Apple CarPlay or Android Auto) and even a steering wheel and heated buckets. The essential is there, and even a little more.

A modern car, what? The front seats aren’t very “soft” and the fabric that covers them breathes badly, it’s true. However, sitting in the back is not a punishment given the space available and the volume of the trunk is nothing ridiculous. In fact, it outclasses many of this Kia’s competitors.

From point A to point B

In all honesty, the Forte does not provide any particular sensations at the wheel. There is nothing unforgettable about his driving, but nothing boring either. The direction, frequently inconsistent, “floats” a bit on the road, but we will appreciate its lightness when it comes to performing a maneuver. Without a shadow of a doubt, the tires supplied as standard reduce the capabilities of this compact. Better rubber would improve driving precision, reduce braking distances (a bit long) and, above all, increase the coefficient of grip in curves and especially on wet pavement. The observed understeer would also be better circumscribed.

The engine of the basic configuration – an atmospheric 2 L – does not display breathtaking performance. It takes nearly 9 seconds to bring this Kia to the legal speed allowed on the highway. And the reruns? Languid, too. This isn’t a deal breaker, however. Just sharpen your sense of anticipation. And increase the volume of the audio system to drown out engine noise. This is strangled by the belt of the continuously variable transmission that accompanies it. It’s only the two driving phases (acceleration and pick-ups) where this box (and the howl of the engine) really irritates us. At cruising speed, you can plan to travel long journeys, without really being bored. Isn’t that the most important thing?

Technical sheet

Performance

Engine

• L4 DOHC 2 L atmospheric
• 147 hp at 6200 rpm
• 132 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm

Performance

• Weight (min-max): 1299 kg
• Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 8.9 sec
• Towing capacity: not recommended

Gearbox

• Standard: Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
• Optional: none
• Drive mode: traction

Tank and petrol

Tires

Tank capacity, gasoline recommended

Dimensions

• Wheelbase: 2700mm
• Length: 4510mm
• Height: 1440mm
• Width: 1800 mm (exterior mirrors excluded)

For less than $20,000

The Rio belongs to a “lower” category (subcompact), but remains a smart buy in its category. Sold for just under $20,000, this five-door sedan represents, among its competitors, a more than interesting opportunity because of its interior dimensions, its warranty and its standard equipment. On the other hand, its road skills and its general comfort rather invite to opt for a Forte (sedan) hardly more expensive.

Possible savings

The versatility of the five-door body is certainly an asset, but the sedan offers a wider nomenclature and saves a few thousand dollars. Thus, unlike the Forte, the sedan has more stripped-down versions and even offers a manual gearbox variant.