2014 Kia Forte EX Long Term Road Test

Edmunds.comEdmunds.com Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 10,316
edited September 2014 in Kia

image2014 Kia Forte EX Long Term Road Test

A newly redesigned 2014 Kia Forte EX compact sedan joins our long-term road test fleet. Follow along for daily updates as we drive it for one year.

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Comments

  • se_riouslyse_riously Member Posts: 94
    MSRP of $25,735? Granted that's a lot of content, but at that price you really should have stepped up to a decently equipped midsize vehicle provided you have the room to park it. The Forte offers no benefit in terms of fuel economy or power compared to a midsize, yet you have less room and probably a less refined overall package. Doesn't make sense.
  • emajoremajor Member Posts: 332
    I'm interested to see how this car does. It looks good inside and out and the power ratings from the engine are impressive. I've tried the refreshed Soul and thought it was a fantastic little car, but was badly disappointed in the four-cylinder Optima LX due to its lousy seats, artificially heavy (yet completely numb) steering, and an overall driving experience that didn't live up to the exciting sheet metal and hype at all.
  • emajoremajor Member Posts: 332
    se-riously,
    You are making an old argument that applies to all loaded versions of compact cars. It's not helpful because some people actually want a smaller car loaded up and willingly choose one over a larger midsize. It also gives Edmunds a chance to test all of that content. If you want them to step up to a midsize for that price, why not also ask them to step up to a $26K used entry level luxury car, since you will get much more for your money that way as well?
  • ahightowerahightower Member Posts: 539
    I'm not saying it's overpriced... that is a lot of kit. But I recently got an internet quote for an Optima EX with all but the xenons and nav for about the same price, and it gets about the same MPG. (Went with a new Accord Sport because manual.)
  • ahightowerahightower Member Posts: 539
    That internet quote I mentioned was out the door. TTL, everything. I know Optima is older and therefore going to be more deeply discounted. But to the argument about compact vs midsize, the point is there are new midsize cars, even with plenty of options, comparably priced to this. Unless you need a compact because of space, or are getting much better mpg or just really like the way something smaller drives (MZ3, Civic Si, GTI), why get a rather sedate compact sedan instead of a rather sedate midsizer?
  • zoomzoomnzoomzoomn Member Posts: 143
    Don't like the overly wedged look with the huge windshield. And 24.2 avg mpg? My '13 TSX SE gets better than that and it's driven, let's just say, spiritedly.
  • noburgersnoburgers Member Posts: 500
    the dimensions are getting really close to the Optima except for overall length. Interior room is close enough, too. I think I would real-life cross-shop these, but I like the Optima's looks a little better. I see new base Optimas going for under $18K at this point in the model year, which makes it look like a bargain compared to a base Forte.
  • noburgersnoburgers Member Posts: 500
    I wish comments showed up before you post. I agree with both of emajor's comments. You really have to test drive a car to see if it is a good "fit".
  • bankerdannybankerdanny Member Posts: 1,021
    Kia is evolving into the 1980's-1990's version of Honda. If I were looking for a small sedan or coupe a Kia showroom would be my first stop. Considering how recently their cars were cheap ugly crap, that's pretty impressive.
  • patinthecitypatinthecity Member Posts: 40
    Should I even point out the obvious here? For this price, I could buy numerous sedans that are better on all levels. A Honda Accord Sport for starters.
    Don't even get into the logistics and differences between the two, it boils down to whether or not you have a brain.
    No amount of incentives on KIA's part would sweeten that deal either. Poor resale value can't be discounted.
  • slappiecappieslappiecappie Member Posts: 4
    This car looks good and I for one will be in the market for either this , the new Soul, the new 3 or for 5k more, a 2013 Accord....
  • slappiecappieslappiecappie Member Posts: 4
    Also MPG's are a bit disappointing but getting that 173hp will require high revs....

    most peoples mpg's numbers are inflated. Everyone kicks around 25mpg and up (unless in an suv) but truthfully are somewhere between 20-25mpg.

    The other day an infinity owner that I know drives hard tried to tell me they were getting 30mpg (facepalm)
  • frank908frank908 Member Posts: 48
    .
  • bankerdannybankerdanny Member Posts: 1,021
    where's the button to view prior comments?
  • agentorangeagentorange Member Posts: 893
    So we have a spot for comments but no button to view them. What's up with that?
  • agentorangeagentorange Member Posts: 893
    @frank908 I see what you did there. :-)
  • agentorangeagentorange Member Posts: 893
    Fake post to read the other posts because there is no "Comments" button with the article.
  • zix80zix80 Member Posts: 1
    How do I follow for your daily update on this car? where's the link ?
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