Her and His Reviews

November 30, 2009

2010 Kia Forte
VEHICLE NAME

There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that! To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle – Her and His perspectives.
 

Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate,women-drivers.com
His: Chuck Kerber, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com 

Anne Chuck
Price
MSRP:$19,290 as tested MSRP:Price as Tested: $19,290.00
Performance
  • A new KIA acronym: Kick 'In (some) Attitude
  • 2.0 Liter four cylinder engine, 156 horsepower
  • 6,200 rpm and 144 pound-feet of torque
  • 4 speed automatic transmission
  • Front Wheel Drive
  • A "smart" alternator that runs only when the battery needs charging
  • Handling and responsiveness are quite good. Acceleration on straight-aways or flats was good. However, on hills performance was not as consistent.
  • 2.0 Liter 16-Valve DOHC CVVT 4-Cylinder Engine,
  • 156 Horsepower
  • 4-Speed Automatic Transmission with Independent Front Suspension, Front Stabilizer Bar, and Torsion Beam Rear Suspension
  • Rack and Pinion Steering
  • 195/65R15 Tires
  • Front and Rear Disc Brakes
  • 0-60 times for the new Forte run in the seven second range. Handling is predictable, but not necessarily sporty. With a comfortable ride, the driver feels connected with the road. The short wheel base helps make parking manageable.
Fuel Economy
25 mpg/City and 34 mpg/Highway 25 MPG City, 34 MPG Highway
The Car
  • A tremendous value whether your purchasing the LX - around a $14K sticker price - or the EX, as tested
  • The car has a 104.3-inch wheelbase like the Hyundai Elantra, and its wide stance of 61.3"in the front and 61.6" in the rear make this vehicle the widest in the sedan economy class
  • The interior is as pristine as the outside. An upscale, clean dashboard with easy to read controls; love having most panel controls at my fingertips
  • Leather seating is the perfect touch to these pre-winter days but, ouch, with just an ON or OFF button, seats got quite warm quickly and would have to turn OFF
  • Seats were adjustable and comfortable. Back seat hold two adults comfortably, three in a crunch; center console and arm rests in rear. Two (2) Lower Anchors and Tethers to secure children and child seats
  • Cavernous trunk holds lots of luggage and travel gear
  • Another bothersome thing was the front doors; seemingly light, they would not 'catch' in place once open
  • Kia Motors offers several exciting and affordable options for the Forte; Prices for the new Forte start around $14,390 and top out close to $20,530. The Forte is available in three models: LX, EX, and SX.
  • Additional options include sport-tuned suspension, fog lights, power sunroof, and dual-body remote power mirrors with turn signal indicator. The interior of the new Kia Forte is uncomplicated yet relaxed.
  • Easy-to-reach, well marked controls make up an attractive instrument cluster, back-lit with a red glow. The sedan seats four comfortably, with enough leg room for two adults in the rear. The seats provide ample support, especially the six-way adjustable driver seat with optional heated seats on the SX model.
  • Plentiful trunk space measures 12.6 cubic feet.
Safety
Dual seat mounted air bags, full length side curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, stability control.
  • The Kia Forte is equipped with side-impact airbags for the front passengers, side curtain airbags, four wheel anti-lock disc brakes, active head restraints, and an electronic stability system.
  • Included are traction control, electronic brake-force distribution and a tire pressure monitoring system-all come standard.
Technology
Hands-free Bluetooth® bonus included in all models, and the EX upgrades to Sirius Satellite Radio® and CD stereo with six (6) speakers. USB jacks, auxiliary and steering wheel controls are included in EX. One exceptional value for the new Forte is the I-Pod/USB connection, Satellite Radio, and Blue Tooth connection... all standard on every new Forte! This will surely attract hordes of young drivers. As an added convenience, the ES and SX have steering wheel mounted controls for Bluetooth and Stereo.
Aesthetics & Styling
This updated sedan is head over heels above its predecessor, the Spectra. The clean lines and attractive exterior design may be somewhat Honda-esque, but either way, the Forte is a top contender. Sunroof included. The Kia Forte is an attractive vehicle. Its slanted roof line and fluid design make it an attractive option for buyers who are considering other sub-compact vehicles.
Warranty
  • 10 Years/100,000 Limited Power train Warranty
  • 5-Years, 60,000 Miles Warranty
  • 24-Hour Roadside Assistance(ask your local dealer for details)
  • 10 Year, 100,000 Mile Warranty Limited Powertrain Warranty
  • 5-Years, 60,000 Miles Warranty
  • 24-Hour Roadside Assistance
*Ask your local dealer for Warranty Details
Non-tangibles / Other
Tremendous value for its class. For a brand that has been gaining recognition and market penetration, the Forte is securing KIA its strongest year yet. Assembly, Korea. The Kia Forte competes with the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Elantra, and Honda Civic. With its list of standard and optional features, it should appeal to a range of ages. With the increased reliability marks and visionary design, Kia will continue to grow-possibly outperforming the competition in the future.

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