Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are TMC’s only. Cars provided by STI Drive.
The newly redesigned 2014 KIA Forte LX arrived at my door in sedan form (it comes in coupe and hatchback too) and I was anxious to check out a sedan that is typically too small for my needs. In the past this model was known for having good gas mileage but lacking in interior design and extras. Did the redesign succeed in bringing out a better Forte?
For a four-door sedan the inside of the Forte LX is more spacious than you would imagine. I fit two kids in the back comfortably and was impressed with the trunk size. I could shop for the holidays, the week’s groceries and still have a bit of room in it. My SUV sometimes can’t deal with that. It is also very easy to drive and operate. Unlike some cars on the road today the buttons and dials are all in the spots you would imagine and nothing is overly complicated. There is no second guessing but it isn’t stripped bare and sitting in the dark ages of technology either. The LX comes standard with power windows and locks, Bluetooth technology, an audio system with a CD and MP3 player plus radio and 3 months of SIRIUS/XM radio. The back seats are 60/40 split and I was extremely happy with how fast I could install carseats with the very easy to find LATCH system. There are simple steering wheel controls as well. I found that the car was bigger inside and yet small in appearance on the exterior. It is far more attractive than the many of the economy vehicles out there today. It drives comfortably as well.
What stands out to me is that the Forte is a good little commuter car. It is has more edge than the competing class Ford Focus and Honda Civic. The gas mileage is about 29 mpg combined and 36 highway, 25 in the city. I drove it as much as I could in the week I had it and the needle didn’t budge on the gas. It is just perfect for getting you from point A to point B on a daily basis. Unlike the similar in its class Mazda 3 you won’t feel like a starter car when you drive it. It will be reliable, economical to run and repair and not be pricey when it comes to filling the tank. Families with one kid or maybe two can ride comfortably in it but you can’t do more than that. The Forte is perfect for a kid going off to college or commuting to and from work.
At under $20k with all the options you can afford to buy the best the Forte has to offer or go basic for $17,400. Either way you will be pleasantly surprised with the Forte. Who wouldn’t be when heated rear seats and xenon headlights are an option? It possesses a stronger engine than before and has more options inside than in the past. It is definitely a contender in its class eek-ing its way past the competition, much like other models by KIA have been doing for the last few years.
*Images from carpaper.net and newcars.com.
