The look of the 2014 Kia Forte sedan builds on the maker's now-familiar tiger-nose design.
Car making is an art.
But it seldom reveals the kind of breakthrough genius or inspiration that infused, say, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Instead the creativity and improvement seem to come in increments.
The new 2014 Kia Forte is a case in point on how well-thought out incremental changes can improve a vehicle substantially.
Sitting on an all-new chassis that is longer, wider and lower than the previous-generation Forte, the updated version of the Forte delivers slightly better performance and some incremental improvements in the suspension and steering that make it more fun to drive out on the open road. It’s also roomier and a lot more pleasant to look at.
And that we can credit to Peter Schreyer, the maker’s new president but, more importantly, one of the industry’s most creative designers. His arrival at Kia in 2006 marked a grand transformation of a brand whose products could then best be described as cheap and cheerful. The former Audi styling chief introduced Kia’s distinctive “tiger-nose” theme that today positions it as one of the industry’s design trend-setters.
The 2014 remake of the Forte is slightly larger in all key dimensions, including interior room.
And so goes the new Forte, which is certainly not going to get lost in a pack of bland and basic small cars. The sedan’s exterior styling is sleek, refined and nicely tailored, starting with that signature tiger snout. But the design doesn’t reach so far that it will be outdated before the lease is up or the loan contract is finally retired.
The Forte’s base engine is a 148-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder, while the more expensive Forte EX come with a 174-horsepower 2-liter I-4 with direct injection. Both engines feature dual continuously variable valve timing and a lightweight intake manifold that reduces weight by 30%. An aluminum “bed plate” located below the cylinder block helps contain noise levels.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the base LX model but a 5-speed automatic gearbox is also available. A six-speed automatic, which is nicely matched to the engine, is standard on the up-level EX.
Overall, the power, combined with the chassis improvements, give the compact Forte a solid, spirited ride that does well on demanding roads and different grades of pavement and under different driving conditions on the freeway where the ability to maneuver while traveling at a good speed is important
The interior of the 2014 Kia Forte has a more upscale feel than one might expect from a Korean brand.
The 2014 Kia Forte is 1.2 inches longer, 0.6 inches and 0.2 inches wider than the previous sedan. It also has a wheelbase that’s two inches longer than the outgoing model and rides on a McPherson strut front suspension and a coupled torsion beam rear axle.
The on-center steering feel is improved utilizing larger bushings and revised front suspension geometry, according to Kia’s engineers. Electric power steering has replaced the hydraulic system from the previous Forte and an optional FlexSteer system allows the driver to choose settings for Comfort, Normal and Sport, which alter the required steering effort.
The added room has largely been translated into more interior space, one reason the 2014 Forte is also more comfortable than the outgoing 4-door, as we discovered during a day behind the wheel on a long test drive.
Kia seems to have a knack for developing inviting interiors, built around the driver’s seat, which feature easy-to-read instruments and easy-to-reach controls. An optional 4.2-inch color LCD screen nestled between the white-on-black gauges in the EX instrument cluster provides trip and other vehicle information front and center to the driver.
Another plus, the visibility from the inside of the cars is excellent.
A 4.2-inch digital information display nestles between traditional analog gauges.
Kia also does well in using materials you traditionally wouldn’t have expected from a “budget” Korean brand, along with soft touch points where you might have anticipated hard plastic. In the Forte, chrome bezels ring the climate control rotary knobs and the optional push-button start. Additional chrome accents, standard Bluetooth and power windows, mirrors and door locks enhance the all-new Forte’s premium feel.
Leather seating trim, a power sunroof, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear seat vents and HID head lights are also available on the Forte, which also comes with a long list of standard features.
For example, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, SiriusX, Satellite Radio[i][i], Bluetooth® wireless technology, power windows, air conditioning and power heated outside mirrors are among the basic hardware on the entry-level LX models. An option package adds 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, keyless entry with remote trunk release and a sliding front armrest.
On the EX, Kia’s next-generation Google-powered UVO in-vehicle infotainment system with eServices is standard and can now be integrated with an optional navigation system.
The 2014 Kia Forte offers a choice of two engines and there's a manual gearbox available on the base model.
Additional standard features on the EX include remote keyless entry with trunk opener, rear camera back-up display, a sliding center armrest and a cooling glove box.
The base LX manual rides on 195/65R-15 tires, while 205/55R-16 tires on 16-inch alloy wheels are optional. The top-of-the-line EX is shod with the same 55-series tires. Low-profile 215/45-17 tires mounted on sporty 17-inch alloy wheels are optional.
Pricing won’t be announced until just before the 2014 Kia Forte sedan reaches showrooms but the current model starts at $16,175 plus destination charges.
Overall, the Forte is very impressive vehicle and it’s bound to make the highly competitive compact segment even more competitive.