Reviewed: 2010 Kia Forte SX

[Thirty-Nine]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/Tekka_Maki/The%20Portlander/Forte1.jpg
Just posted my review on the 2010 Kia Forte SX. Really impressed by this car. This is the first Kia I've driven that I would say is really a driver's car.

http://tinyurl.com/ForteSX

[RHDVIPbB]

so is it like driving a newer honda civic?

[Thirty-Nine]

More torque than a Civic. It felt a bit more engaging than a Civic (EX, LX, DX). However, I have not driven the current Si.

[ezhacker1]

judging by the pic, it looks like a boat (car length)

[coffiend]

my mother is going to pick hers up tomorrow. She is really excited about it, I still need a little convincing on it.

We'll see...

[MadMax]

The Koup is a really nice looking car. I am still a little weary of Korean cars (my bud had a Kia Rio that was not impressive) but the Koup and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe are "getting there."

It's just too bad that the always look like they've ripped something off from the Japanese...which is why people always mistake them for Hondas, Acuras and Mitsubishis. Heck, the Hyundai Accent hatch looks like a Korean Yaris...

[marcus]

its a civic acura, front civic back acura tsx

[DevilGirl]

Saw one at the Philly car show over the weekend. I wasn't that impressed with its looks, but the boyfriend liked it.

[Hershey]

they offer the EX FUEL ECONOMY PACKAGE that gives a 5 speed automatic tranny , motor driven power steering ( M.D.P.S. ) , smart alternanator , low resistant silica tires , and aero-dynamic body enhancements for an additional $600 . Have to admit the FORTE is sharp looking :thumbsup: . Better than the new COROLLA :barf: . Part of reason we got the YARIS sedan and 3 door L.B. are the better looks :clap: .

[Thirty-Nine]

Better than the new COROLLA :barf: . Part of reason we got the YARIS sedan and 3 door L.B. are the better looks :clap: .

I agree. I was helping my friend buy a car. She basically had her heart set on a new Corolla. Then we sat in one and drove it. It was really plasticy on the inside, and quite a chunk of change.

She bought a Yaris. :biggrin:

[kimona]

Very handsome car... somewhat reminiscent of the former generation Acura TSX.

[Astroman]

Check out the kia forums though, been a couple reports of vehicles that needed the transmission replaced at 600 miles.

[Goose]

Hyundai/Kia has made great strides recently and their sales have reflected this. I owned a Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT (auto) last spring - and traded it back in on another Yaris.

My experience has been that Hyundai/Kia make a very nice car but they're still not quite up to the level of Honda/Toyota. While design, reliability and features are roughly equal, Hyundai/Kia products lack the suspension/drivetrain refinement of the Japanese.

In areas of mileage, NVH and the suspension's ability to deal with unsettled conditions, the Koreans haven't quite matched the established players yet. For example, I recently compared the new Tucson (AWD) to the CR-V/RAV4 and found the suspension of the Hyundai was still much less refined (very bouncy/jittery) than the Japanese competition. The interesting part was that the FWD Tucson had a very controlled yet well-damped ride; hard to understand why the drivetrain would have such an impact on ride. Subtle tweaks to suspension take experience - experience that Hyundai/Kia hasn't quite acquired yet.

I have little doubt that the Koreans will equal the Japanese in every way very soon, though...

[Aothachos]

Check out the kia forums though, been a couple reports of vehicles that needed the transmission replaced at 600 miles.

Got a link? I've been keeping my eye on this car for a near future purchase upgrade from the yaris. The only problem is something with the front struts when it gets cold that takes 30 minutes to fix yourself, something drops to the bottom of the strut thingy suspension I dont know some crap, and it make a thump noise only in cold weather though, can be fixed easily.

But this car has had my eye for a bit. Like said before way more torque than the civic, civic si is about 136 compared to 168 on the koup. I believe the SX model comes with heated side mirrors with turn signals on them, 6 speakers, fog lamps, if you get the leather package that includes the moon roof, leather heated seats. Then you have the steering wheel with the bluetooth options, radio controls, and cruise control. Then there is a mp3 jack a little better than the yaris :tongue: on this part, it has the jack but then it has the usb port so you can charge your ipod or whatever mp3 while listening to it. 17" wheels

I would have to say I'm pretty convinced, kia is not prefered by public for reliability because they haven't really proven themselves yet, but it is said they are one of the top 10 reliable brands along with hyundai, honda, toyota, etc.

Then you have that 100,000 mile warranty, etc etc.

It's a nice car I'd have to say deffinatly on my list of picks for my next car.

I could careless that people think its a mix of a acura and civic. But really how many civics do you see on the road compared to the koup. I would say its a sexy car, I have yet to see it on the road in my area I don't think.

You can get this car for around 18,000$ or if you want the leather package with features and such its about 20,000$ can probably negotiate to a lower price around 19,000. If you add all these features that this car has onto the honda civic si, the price is close to 27,000 I think.

[Goose]

I'd check the Kia Soul forums also. Although they're not the same model, the Soul's problems may help understand Kia ownership.

I just read the review above - nice to see we agree about the brand's relative qualities. Great minds must think alike... :smile:

[Aothachos]

just a few more pics

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p9patK7-ZLqVZkCC9XIDwOrGUIF6qqD-xlbvwNdEu2oB3NmxN5kRscFGcDrf_buHFucuP_oYS14YUrQ4yr 2tQHg/DSC00365.jpg

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p99nCwWvgkjCwogM5EoLfm-Cg3wO8gjIjVNf2e8AX6jqVTVTpNqp6KW1kokZoA8H1UYPoP6nR LPiVMkcuwdjpfw/Vinyl%20Roof%20and%20Mirrors%20-%20Rear%20view.jpg

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pVWggjulDzRYzIkKGLY3iaOkj7K7bvCB_x0EhI_6dlQCtzma b0OLRqB2ExoJVwhdowxVyV_S-BcnpOnUSRN806w/DSC00261.jpg

http://www.motiontrends.com/2009/04/Kia/forte_koup_steering_wheel.jpg

http://www.cartype.com/pics/7059/full/kia_forte_koup_cluster_09.jpg

http://image.automobilemag.com/f/26951709+w750+st0/0907_09_z+2010_kia_forte_koup+front_passenger_inte rior.jpg

[Astroman]

I'll find the link again. I originally found it when I was looking up a cel code for a sedona. I do like the looks of the coup a lot, but the sedan doesn't work for me. I still won't consider purchasing a kia, seen to many fall apart after a few years.

[Aothachos]

I'll find the link again. I originally found it when I was looking up a cel code for a sedona. I do like the looks of the coup a lot, but the sedan doesn't work for me. I still won't consider purchasing a kia, seen to many fall apart after a few years.

sedan is not my type anymore haha, its either coupe or 3 door cars from now on if I am going to get a sedan I rather get an SUV

[specialeducator]

Had such a bad experience with a 2001 Spectra I don't think I'll ever trust Kia again no matter how much they improve.

[Shroomster]

Had such a bad experience with a 2001 Spectra I don't think I'll ever trust Kia again no matter how much they improve.


thats like saying you would never buy a car that went from carburetor to fuel injection because you think they'll get the same fuel economy.

all car manufacturers attempt to improve (albeit slightly sometimes) their vehicle lineup every year.

[specialeducator]

thats like saying you would never buy a car that went from carburetor to fuel injection because you think they'll get the same fuel economy.

all car manufacturers attempt to improve (albeit slightly sometimes) their vehicle lineup every year.

I don't think so.

The car was so bad I do not trust Kia. What that has to do with fuel injection befuddles me.

[Goose]

I agree with your hesitation over Kia, specialeducator.

While the brand has improved (at least in the design department), Kia still has real quality issues to overcome. I think the Soul, for example, is an interesting design and I seriously considered buying one. After some research that included reading several owners' forums, it appears that Kia quality is still not up to the level of its Japanese competition. Add low resale value to various quality issues and Kia's long warranty and debatable price advantage lose their luster.

I still think Kia will get better, but I'll let the kids help them sort out their quality for now...

[Kal-El]

Had such a bad experience with a 2001 Spectra I don't think I'll ever trust Kia again no matter how much they improve.

That's a lifetime ago for Kia. It's not even remotely the same company anymore.

Will you also not buy a Toyota again because of a couple of stupid recalls?

The Koreans have demonstrated the fastest improvement in the history of the auto industry.

Hyundai went from building a total piece of crap (Excel) to building the Genesis in a relatively short period of time. It's nothing but remarkable.

Hyundai is rated among the best in quality now. Better than Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, ect..

[specialeducator]

That's a lifetime ago for Kia. It's not even remotely the same company anymore.

Will you also not buy a Toyota again because of a couple of stupid recalls?

The Koreans have demonstrated the fastest improvement in the history of the auto industry.

Hyundai went from building a total piece of crap (Excel) to building the Genesis in a relatively short period of time. It's nothing but remarkable.

Hyundai is rated among the best in quality now. Better than Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, ect..

Oh if my Spectra only had a couple recalls. As for Kia's 100,000 mile warranty- read before you buy. It's full of holes.

[wooverstone8]

Is a manual transmission available in just the base model Forte or can you get it in all trim levels? These days manual transmission cars seem to be only available in sub-compact and compact cars in the base trim level.

[Thirty-Nine]

Is a manual transmission available in just the base model Forte or can you get it in all trim levels? These days manual transmission cars seem to be only available in sub-compact and compact cars in the base trim level.

Manual is available in all trim levels, including the upper-end SX.