Two years in and it’s time for a new Forte. With attention paid to drivetrain, suspension and overall comfort, 2011 was shaping up to be a big year for the Kia compact. With the additional arrival of the new 5-door hatchback model, it’s gotten even bigger. Without a compact hatchback in their lineup, Kia was left with a gaping hole in their offerings, easily filled by competitors like the MAZDA3 or VW's Golf. While the new Forte hatchback fails to meet or exceed the standards set in this highly competitive segment, it’s a fine addition sure to improve as Kia itself continues to improve.
We tend to give Kia a lot of slack, seeing as they’re trying so hard and offering such attractive warranties for such little financial commitment. It’s nice to root for the underdog, after all, but as we remember from our history lessons, Toyota and Honda used to be underdogs, too, and look how they grew up.
News about the 2011 Kia Forte will be dominated by the arrival of the hatch, but the best improvement this year is the introduction of 6-speed automatic and manual transmissions to replace 4- and 5-speed units that were holding the model back in terms of operation and performance. Both 6-speed transmissions perform with smooth precision through clutch and shifter action, bringing large improvements to the overall driving enjoyment of the Forte. Again, it’s not the same as the Civic or the MAZDA3, but it’s a lot closer. Unfortunately, a lot of the enjoyment is robbed again via the uninspired suspension on the LX and EX trims. While the SX gets refinements this year that take away much of the harshness experienced previously, the LX and EX languish with the same lackluster setup that could lead most potential buyers away.
The Forte is available in LX, EX and SX sedan trims and EX and SX trims of the 5-door hatchback. LX and EX trims are powered by a mostly gutless 2.0-liter, 156-hp engine. Full power doesn’t arrive until 6,200 rpm, and its torque backup of 144 lb-ft shows up only 1,900 rpm sooner. It’ll motivate fine around town but is sluggish from a stop and struggles at speed with an unpleasant harshness. With the new 6-speed automatic transmission, it’ll at least achieve a 26/36 mpg rating, with the manual clocking in at 25/34. There’s also an optional Fuel Economy Package for the EX that adds electric steering, low-rolling resistance tires and aerodynamic enhancements to up overall fuel economy to 27/37 with the 6-speed auto. That’s a lot of change and sacrifice for just 1 mpg on both ends.
SX trims do much better with their 2.4-liter, 173-hp engine. When choosing the 6-speed automatic, the SX also gets paddle shifters to increase the fun even further. Its sport-tuned suspension holds the line firm while still soaking up most bumps and irregularities without the harsh reverberations felt in previous years. Its 17-inch alloys help hold the road as well, and while the steering is weighted appropriately at speed, it can get a bit heavy around town. SX trims are also the sole entrants in the Forte lineup to get a telescoping steering wheel, a feature that makes the Forte accessible to a whole new segment of potential buyers.
But really, we all want to talk about the hatchback. It debuted at the New York International Auto Show last year sporting the new grille and fascia that has spread to the rest of the line. It also showed off new alloys, a redesigned center console, push-button start and the navigation system that is to be made available throughout the stable. While utility is certainly up with the addition of the hatch to the Forte repertoire, it unfortunately highlights one of the Forte’s weak points: a disturbingly noisy cabin. The sedan is already a cacophonous catastrophe, and the open-air design of the hatchback only magnifies this weakness, despite Kia’s attempts to mitigate it.
That’s not to discount the Forte entirely, as this can be a good thing. While some manufacturers will linger with obvious drawbacks plaguing their products, Kia has not demonstrated this type of thinking. Yes, sunlight is the best disinfectant, and one can only assume that Kia will attack this shortcoming with the same passion they’ve shown to date. No, it’s not a Civic or a Golf… yet. However, the Forte can provide almost as much fun, just as much utility and plenty of features for less money with a better warranty. In that respect, it’s a good thing it’s not a Civic.
