The Kia Forte is nearly halfway through its generational run and has been improved for 2017. This car is one that has helped carve the path for the Kia transformation from being a bargain basement brand to one that shows off great looks and features for us to admire and enjoy. While the style changes of the Forte are subtle enough that you might not notice them at all, the addition of new equipment helps us have a car that is even better than before to be one of the most impressive small sedans and hatchbacks we can buy.
The outside has an upgrade grill which offers smoother lines and longer and thinner headlights. The rest of the front is new to give you a cleaner look, but when it comes to the rear you might not notice a difference at all. While the overall exterior design is only been changed a little, the Forte has a more upscale look than it did before to be a car that you will be proud to show off to your friends and family. Unfortunately, the interior hasn’t been changed, but this doesn’t mean the car is bad, it feels good and has what you need, but it could use an update which might be in store for the next generation.
The fuel mileage of this new Kia Forte is a bit of an oddity. First of all, Kia did away with the base 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and replaced it with a 2.0-liter that is able to run on the Atkinson cycle. This engine offers 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque which is nearly identical to the outgoing engine. The fuel mileage with this new engine is improved from 26 to 29 in the city but is decreased from 39 to 38 on the highway. The EX is the step up and offers a direct injection 2.0-liter engine that has 164 horsepower and 151 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine has a story that is nearly the same with the city mpg dropping from 25 to 24 mpg and the highway increasing from 33 to 35 mpg. Both these engines are offered standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but there is a seven-speed dual clutch automatic that you can have if you desire.
What’s new on the Forte? So far we’ve covered stuff you would expect, but the Forte now has a new S trim that is placed between the LX and EX which gives you a sportier version of the car. This trim brings you a sport suspension, 16-inch wheels, LED lights, a rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tips, a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and white contrasting stitching that stands out against the black cloth upholstery of the S trim. The Forte5 adds a new Orange Color Pack on the SX trim to give you orange seat inserts and stitching to make for an even sportier overall appearance to the car.
For the EX model many of the features that were options previously are now included as standard fare, making it easier for you to enjoy everything you want on this car. These new standard features include heated seats, leather upholstery, dual zone automatic climate controls, rear air vents, push button starting, keyless entry and LED taillights. Many of the driver assistance features are still options for the top trim, but they are available making for a car have everything you need.
When you want an affordable sedan that has plenty of equipment at a great price the Kia Forte is the right choice. This car has the upgrades you want for 2017 and still tops out under $25,000, giving you a compact sedan or hatchback that is easy for you to love.
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