Road Beat: 2019 Kia Forte - Performs as good as it looks

It’s hard to believe that it has been only 25 years since Kia came to the U.S. with the 88 hp Sephia. The first TV ad showed a Kia Sephia following a Honda Civic through the streets of Los Angeles (in fast motion) demonstrating it could do anything the Honda Civic could do.

Sephia was the first car designed in house and it was obviously the precursor of great things to come from Kia. And the first Sephia was quite the success with almost 500,000 cars sold during its first generation. Now Kia produces almost a dozen world-class automobiles from the new K900, Stinger, Cadenza, Optima, Sorento, Sportage, Rio, Soul, Niro and I could go on.

Forte is an all-new third generation with a new sophisticated body, interior, tranny, and engineering. But believe or not, the 2.0L Atkinson cycle four-banger is a carryover.

Outside, Peter Schreyer (Kia’s CEO) and his design team have created a bold new look, using some Stinger design cues such as a broad, expansive hood, a cowl pushed back five inches and a short rear deck. If you get stung, you will understand. A new sleek window line lengthens the look while emphasizing the front end’s strength and dynamism is added by its short rear deck. Size wise, the Forte is compact with a wheelbase of 106 inches supporting a body 183 inches long and 71 inches wide. It stands 57 inches tall. However, despite its compact dimensions, interior room is that of a mid-size at a total of 111 cubic feet of volume (EPA mid-size volume is 110-120 cubic feet).

Forte’s “carryover“ engine is a remarkably smooth inline, DOHC, 16 valve 2.0L four that cranks out a reasonable 147 hp at 6,200 rpm along with 132 pounds of twist at 4,500 rpm. The reason the numbers don’t seem huge for a 2.0L motor is because it is an extremely high compression (12.5:1) Atkinson cycle that uses late closing intake valves to increase the expansion ratio of the power stroke over the compression stroke. Atkinson cycle engines are used by almost every hybrid currently in production. Because of the late closing intake valve, only regular fuel is required even with its multiport fuel injection (instead of direct fuel injection).

Instead of the customary six-speed auto (a manual is still offered), Kia has developed their own CVT which they call intelligent CVT or i-CVT. One of the things I noticed was that this CVT allowed for a quicker engine rpm ramp up which may have improved performance, but was sometimes disconcerting when even a feather touch of the go pedal caused the engine to rev too easily. In manual mode it acts like a seven-speed auto. But don’t let that dissuade you as this new Forte can rocket (for a compact car) to 60 mph in a very quick 7.39 seconds.

Passing performance is also very quick as 50-70 mph romps took just 3.93 and 6.02 seconds on a level highway and up a 6-7 percent grade respectively. Outstanding! With that quick revving engine, throttle response is excellent and the Kia performed beyond my expectations when passing other cars at high altitude going up the Sierra.

But most drivers buy compacts for fuel economy and the Forte delivers in that department averaging 40-41 mpg at 70 mph on a level highway. EPA rates the Forte at 30/40/34 mpg city/highway/combined. During my 350 miles the Forte averaged 36.6 mpg with only about 10 percent on the freeway. In my round trip to Carson City up Highway 50 over the Sierras the Forte averaged 40.1 mpg in 200 miles of moderately aggressive driving with at least a dozen full throttle passes in the passing zones. Fuel tank capacity is a larger 14 gallons, not the usual 13 gallons found in most compacts.

Handling is bolstered by 17X7 inch gorgeous alloys and decent 225/45 series rubber. That’s a lot of rubber for a 2,900-pound car. The electric power steering rack is a very quick 2.44 turns lock to lock and its turning circle is a tight 34.8 feet. Suspension is the usual MacPherson struts with coil overs and a semi-independent torsion beam holding up the rear. Pretty standard in compacts these days (ala Toyota, Nissan and even VW). But semi-independent torsion beams do a pretty good job, even on rough roads and the Forte is no exception exhibiting great grip, crisp, quick turn in, good roll control with moderate understeer. The result is an excellent handling car that changes directions securely with excellent transitions and good feedback. Forte is at home in the twisties to the point that you will go looking for them waiting for the next corner where you can squeeze the throttle down just before the apex and drive the Forte out of the corner.

Forte is quiet with the engine spinning about 1,950 rpm at 70 mph. Ride quality is on the firm side, maybe a bit sporty, but it has remarkable control on the highway making it a great car to put some serious miles on. Wind, road and engine noise are not present except when hard on the throttle at higher rpms.

Safety isn’t compromised either. This EX model which stickers for under $22K comes standard with every acronym including lane departure assist. Even the front seats besides being power, were heated and ventilated. Brakes are strong four-wheel discs and with the $3,210 EX Launch Edition included is NAV, radar cruise and automatic dimming LED head lights. Forte offers the safety of cars costing twice the price.

Seating is long haul comfortable and the top of the line EX gets a faux leather called Sofino. It fooled me (I thought it was leather) until I read about it. Soft touch is everywhere. Instrumentation is complete with a large tach and speedo flanking the trip/info computer. With a compact car costing $25 large, I guess it can be expected that it will have some lux to it, but sitting in this Kia feels like significantly luxury.

Center stack is easy to use with buttons and knobs for HVAC and piano keys and touch screen for the sound system. It sounds great, but the Launch package gives you a Harmon-Kardon premium sound system.

The trunk in the Forte is huge at over 15 cubic feet.

Pricing for Forte starts at $17,690 plus the obligatory $895 for delivery from its Pesqueria, Mexico assembly plant. My top of the line EX tester sticker for $21,990 plus delivery. Add in the Launch package of $3,210 and the other obligatory option, carpeted floor mats for $125 plus delivery and this top of the line, near luxo compact stickers for $26,220. Spending more money doesn’t buy you a whole lot more, maybe even less in the sense of buying more fuel consumption.

Specifications
Price $18,585 to about $26,220
Engine
2.0L DOHC, 16 valve, Atkinson cycle inline four 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm
- 132 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,500 rpm

Transmission
Six speed manual
CVT

Configuration
Transverse mounted front engine/front wheel drive

Dimensions
Wheelbase 106.3 inches
Length 182.7 inches
Width 70.9 inches
Height 56.5 inches
Track (f/r) 61.0/61.3 inches
Weight 2,903 pounds
GVWR 3,792 pounds
Ground clearance 5.3 inches
Fuel capacity 14.0 gallons
Passenger volume 96.0 cubic feet
Trunk volume 15.3 cubic feet
Steering lock to lock 2.44 turns
Turning circle 34.8 feet
Wheels 17X7 inch alloys
Tires 225/45X17 inches

Performance
0-60 mph 7.39 seconds
50-70 mph 3.93 seconds
50-70 mph uphill 6.02 seconds
Top speed Do you really care? Certainly way faster than any U.S. speed limit

Fuel economy
EPA rated 30/40/34 mpg city/highway/combined. Expect 36 mpg in rural country driving and 40 mpg plus on the highway at legal speeds.