Kia has redesigned the 2019 Forte as the brand looks to pump excitement into the compact sedan. The Forte, now in its third generation, takes some cues from the rear-wheel-drive Stinger fastback sedan. Inside, an 8-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is now standard. Here are snippets of Forte reviews from the automotive media.
"Where the Forte has a leg up on the competition is in the ride comfort department. Its MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension setups are nothing groundbreaking, but they're stellar at absorbing impacts from ruts and potholes. Surprisingly, the more cost-effective torsion beam setup in back copes with mid-corner bumps well during normal driving. However, if you're looking for a compact sedan to drive in a more enthusiastic manner, you'll likely want to go with the Civic or Mazda3 for their multilink rear suspensions and overall more engaging character."
-- Jon Wong, Roadshow by CNET
"On the winding, hilly roads around greater Pittsburgh, the Forte delivered a compliant ride over even the most severely battered road surfaces we encountered. The naturally aspirated four had enough beans to tackle steep uphill grades, but we had to push it hard in spirited driving. At our test track, zero to 60 mph took 8.1 seconds and the Forte cruised through the quarter-mile in 16.4 seconds at 87 mph. Those aren't exactly racy figures.
"For as much as its styling and interior are modeled after the athletic Stinger, the Forte's driving dynamics aren't in the same league. Its steering is light, but the car doesn't inspire the same amount of cornering confidence as the Stinger -- or, more to the point, a Mazda 3. Body motions are well controlled and the Forte felt composed on our skidpad, but when we pitched the Kia into a corner, we quickly found the limits of the Kumho Majesty Solus tires that wrapped our test car's 17-inch wheels."
-- Drew Dorian, Car and Driver
"Buyers can choose from either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission. Kia calls it an 'Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT),' but that's strong wording here -- this CVT is far from intelligent. Not even clever engineering like a chain-driven belt and extra sound deadening hide its true identity, one of constant droning and lethargic responsiveness. It's a far cry from the eight-speed automatic in the Stinger, even though it does its best to mimic an eight-speed autobox in Sport mode.
"Sport mode, at least, tightens things up significantly. The steering gets some much-needed weight, and the CVT pulls more power at lower RPMs. The suspension doesn't get any firmer, but it's already pretty responsive out of the box. The Forte is a whole 26 percent more rigid than the outgoing model, which means it isn't super comfortable, but it is tossable on the twisties. The beautiful backroads outside of Pittsburgh and parts of northern West Virginia highlighted the Forte's newfound agility. It's not as tight or composed as the Civic or Mazda3, for example, but it's a big step up from the outgoing model."
-- Jeff Perez, Motor1
"From the driver's point of view, the 2019 Kia Forte is more enjoyable than the Honda Civic and almost as engaging as the Mazda 3 sedan. At a standstill, the engine idles so smoothly and quietly that it's easy to think it isn't running. And when you're underway, the CVT automatic doesn't have the lazy response and rubber-band feel that some rivals suffer. In many ways, it behaves like a traditional automatic.
"Acceleration isn't what we'd consider impressive, but it is more than adequate at getting up to highway speeds. It will match free-flowing traffic without stress on you or the engine. Passing slower traffic spotlights how much more responsive the transmission is than some rivals, as it's quicker in reaching the right gear ratio for optimal power. When you need to slow down, the brake pedal has an appropriate firmness that is reassuring and easy to modulate to a smooth stop."
-- Mark Takahashi, Edmunds
"The Forte dives into corners much more willingly than before and offers a modicum of fun when hustled on a twisty backroad. Uneven roads do trip the rear end up a bit as it bounces around in ways you don't want it to.
"If you came to the Forte thinking it would go as fast as it looks, you'll be roundly disappointed. It's painfully slow off the line, with a throttle pedal that seems to ask you twice if you're sure before telling the engine to do something. Kia didn't quote any acceleration times, but it feels like a 9-second-plus car to 60 mph."
-- Zac Palmer, Autoweek
"While we at KBB aren't going to call it a compact sport sedan, the 2019 Kia Forte does have a lithe, sporty feel. The ride quality provided by the suspension (MacPherson struts/front, torsion beam/rear) is firm but comfortable, and the car feels stable on the highway, yet willing to change directions when the road starts to curve. The electric-assist steering communicates well what the front tires are doing, and the CVT does a good job of mimicking a traditional 6-speed automatic. In fact, most people would be hard-pressed to identify the Forte's transmission as a CVT, thanks in part to what Kia calls 'adaptive style shift logic.' There are three electronic drive modes: Normal, Smart and Sport. In Smart, the new Forte switches between Normal and Sport, depending on how the car is being driven.
"In short, the new Kia Forte is a nimble compact sedan, and its well-tuned steering, gas and brake inputs make for a pleasant driving experience."
-- Andy Bornhop, Kelley Blue Book