Well after looking at, sitting in, driving cars for over a year I forced myself to go look at the 2013 KIA Forte before I bought. One 2013 to be found, but they did have a truckload 2014's. Looked at it, sat in it, drove it, bought it.

2014 Forte EX sedan

2.0L 173hp

Auto trans (not ctv, or vti, or ggnp or any other unwanted odd ball trans)

Silver over black

With a few added options stickered at $20,790

Got free tint, and locking lug nuts (told them they could take that stuff off so they left it.)

Got 2K in discounts

This car caught me by surprise, lots of standard equipment, and I got an auto dimming mirror without having to buy a $2 or 3K package. This one happens to be the one with the compass and Homelink.

Hp to weight the CRUZE would die for as would most econo compacts on the road.

Power folding heated mirrors with turn signals

Fog lamps

Back up camera

UVO system no paid subscription

Alloys

LED headlamp surrounds

Auto on/off headlamps

Auto dimming rear view mirror with compass and Homelink.

Projection headlamps

Tilt and telescoping steering

Heated steering wheel

A/C cooled glove box, switchable

4 wheel disc with 4w abs

Traction control

Stability control

Hill assist

and on and on and on.

Go look at features and options for yourself.

http://www.kia.com/#/forte

Edited June 5, 201312 yr by RjION

Not my cup-o-tea, but as long as you're happy with it.

Sharp. I was impressed with it when I saw it at the auto show. Congrats.

Drew: what in an econo compact sedan might be your cup of tea....something with much less hp, maybe something with less standard equipment, or something that cost a lot more even in it's segment? The only car that was better driving was the CRUZE, and it's SLOW... the Cruze needs to have 189 hp to match the hp to weight of the Forte EX. Than if want everything the EX has the Cruze price shoots past like a rocket propelled grenade.

bobo: I knew very little about the 2014 other than I liked the look....had no idea they were on the lot. Had no idea how loaded they were. Did know they have a 5 year 60,000 bumper to bumper and 10 year 100,000 mile powertrain. Other then that nothing...The car shocked me to say the least. Price was way below any deal I was getting on left over 2013's. that had my must have's. Now we shall see how the car holds up........time will tell if it's green tea or just the cup.

One thing...the horn sucks like a hairdresser from New York City

But for Gods sake the name on it is KIA .......

Edited June 5, 201312 yr by RjION

I prefer my cars to be as quiet as possible with little road noise or tire slap. That precludes almost anything from the eastern hemisphere. Verano would be my first choice, Jetta TDI would be my second.. if on price, I would step down to a Sonic but with more equipment.. and preferably the gearing of the RS.

Drew .............. than you just might want to drive this 2014. It's noting like any Forte before it. You have to drive it not just read about it..

Edited June 5, 201312 yr by RjION

I think Kia is doing a lot of good cars right now and they do give you a lot of equipment for the price. Motor Trend just named the Cadenza best in class (although Car and Driver said it was 5th out of 6 in the same group of cars MT drove). I think the powertrain offered in the Forte one of the best in the segment, the Cruze has less power than a 2004 Cobalt, sot of a backwards move there.

I like the Elentra and Focus a lot in this segment, but the Forte is cheaper and gives you more for the money over the Focus. I think you made a good buy.

Not my cup-o-tea, but as long as you're happy with it.

I guess you could say it's not your forte.

I like it though, sharp looking car.

Just have to change your wheels (since my post was gone), which sound like ones close to the Ion (17s)., and you'll be good.

Would consider one ( for the right price too) if the handing was a bit better.....

Rj, I hope this Kia keeps you happy like your GM cars have. It certainly does have a long list of equipment for the price. Good luck to you, and keep us posted here about your experiences.

Ocnblu we shall see how it turns out....was think'n I'd sell my ION come fall and get a Forte 5dr, but that stupid looking ION has been such a damn good car I may just keep it another four years or so. To be honest, this Forte is what the new ION should have been. To bad with all of GM'S brand in-fighting and lack of money and direction that so many good GM brands didn't make the cut. GM purdy much has Caddy fixed but need's to fix the rest of Chevy. I love the ATS turbo4 and may end up with one the next time I retire.....

Congrats. New forte is much improved. Wish the interior was a bit more snazzy but overall Kia has a lot of bases covered and best thing is it does not look like the Elantra.

I cleaned up the extra posts, it wasn't unexpected.

But it was unexpected

Thanks.....I have no idea what was going on via my phone this am, but it was ugly.

I don't care for the looks of any Hyundai .... The interior is simply black. Kinda like when the wife wears the simple black dress and pearls...no bling is needed.

Edited June 10, 201312 yr by RjION

First three tanks of gas mixed.........

28.70

28.79

28.03

and if it's like my other cars .... that will improve once it rolls up around the 10k mark

Edited June 20, 201312 yr by RjION

28 mixed? Not bad.....

Mixed mileage about the same, no change on that. Did bolt on some new 17's, and took the crap of the deck lid. Will lower it in the fall, to hot to worry about now.

Pictures VIA my phone

Edited July 21, 201312 yr by RjION

looks good

Congrats, Nice car for the compact segment. I like Drew find this and all Jellybean shaped cars to not be my cup of tea, but then at 6'6" tall, most cars are not my cup of tea as they are not roomy, comfy and quiet enough for me. If I was to pick a car, right now either a CTS-V coupe or an XLS with the TTv6 since I cannot get a real motor, aka V8.

I will have to give kudo's that this is an over all amazing package. Kia does put value into their auto's.

Took the gigantor KIA off and put the Broken K's on front and rear.

Mixed mileage about the same, no change on that. Did bolt on some new 17's, and took the crap of the deck lid. Will lower it in the fall, to hot to worry about now.

Pictures VIA my phone

I was right...wheels clean up that car! Much better!

Couple more pictures...........First when the temps drop this fall I will be lowering the Forte. Like most cars it sits to HIGH for my liking. The other photo is of a FULL size tire and wheel in the well along with tire tools and jack. It's nice that the well is large enough to drop a full size in.

[url=http://s105.photobucket.com/user/rjion/media/FORTE/SpareTire_zpse4ca5dcb.jpg.html'>

Edited August 6, 201312 yr by RjION

The $115 carpet floor mats that you can order for the Forte are crap, not worth half the price of $57.50. I got these off of e-bay for $69.99 including shipping, and they are worth the money........ So far that's my only complaint with the car