AJAC SMALL-CAR WINNER COMES BY IT HONESTLY
I’ve always said that simple is good. There’s certainly a market for tech-heavy vehicles, but average buyers tend to just want something that drives well, is easy to use, and won’t break the bank. Kia has a very good example of that with its all-new 2019 Forte.
Now in its third generation, the styling changes are more of an evolution. A few design cues come from the sportier Stinger, it is a bit bigger, and it looks sleeker than before. The major change is in the interior, which now looks more upscale while still offering that simple-is-better approach to its controls. For those who prefer a hatchback to a sedan, the equally new Forte5 will be released soon.
The Forte starts with the LX at $16,495, which comes with a stick shift. The EX trim starts at $20,995 and moves up through EX Plus and EX Premium to my top-level EX Limited, at $28,065.
All models use a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that is not turbocharged, and has multiport fuel injection rather than direct injection. You don’t get the power that a turbocharger will force out of a small engine (the Forte puts out 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque) but it’s still more than enough to handle both city and highway driving.
A non-turbo engine may seem like a step backward when so many automakers are adding forced air to their small-displacement engines, but I think it’s an excellent alternative for value-minded buyers — especially if, like me, you tend to buy a vehicle and keep it for a long time. With fewer components under the hood, there’s less that may need to be repaired or replaced in the future.
The Forte shares its platform and engine with the Hyundai Elantra, but where the equally redesigned Elantra continues with regular automatic transmission choices, the Forte transmits power (on all but the base LX trim) to the front wheels through the brand’s first continuously variable transmission (CVT). Kia would prefer that I would call it an IVT, for intelligent variable transmission. I won’t, of course, but I will say that while some CVTs can feel a bit out of sync with the engine’s speed — giving them a “rubbery” feel, like an elastic band — this one is very well done. It has eight simulated shift points that give it a more traditional transmission feel. Only when you’re pounding it really hard do you get any small-engine-with-CVT drone. For most driving conditions, it’s smooth and quiet.
The drive is decent as well, with responsive and well-weighted steering, and confident composure around turns. You will notice a fairly firm ride, though; it’s not tooth-rattling, but you do feel the bumps.
All trim levels include heated front seats and steering wheel, while the Limited adds heated rear seats and an additional cooling function for the front ones. Every Forte also includes cruise control, heated mirrors, automatic headlamps, keyless entry, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 60/40-split folding rear seats, and a rear-view camera, which became mandatory on all vehicles sold in Canada as of 2018.
Moving up through the trim levels, available features include blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, wireless phone charging, dualzone automatic climate control, and navigation with voice control that recognizes natural speech. The EX Premium and Limited have Kia’s UVO connected car services, free for the first five years, which link your car to your phone and let you find it in a parking lot, lock or start it remotely, diagnose some issues, and other functions.
The Forte’s handsome cabin has a modern look to it, but I appreciate the old-school approach to how things work. There are big dials for the climate control and stereo, hard buttons for the heated seats, and simple icons in the centre touchscreen. All of these add up to minimal distraction when you want to turn up the volume or adjust the temperature.
The wide-opening doors make it easy to get in and out — although you’ll have to pay attention when opening them in tight parking spots — and the front seats are comfortable and provide enough support to stay that way on longer drives. The rear seats are also padded and bolstered, a nice change from the harder, flatter cushions that many economy cars throw in for the back passengers.
The 2019 Forte was recently named Canada’s Best Small Car by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada — of which I am a voting member — and was a finalist for overall Car of the Year, losing to the Kia Stinger. It came by its trophy honestly.
Driving.ca