Can Kia Forte Sedan Finally Sit Down With the Big Boys?

If there's one thing we can say about Kia, it's that it keeps making progress. In the 15 years the brand has been selling cars in the United States, South Korea's second largest auto manufacturer has increased its market share every single year. The future looks bright as well, with new vehicles like the Soul receiving rave reviews and a new billion dollar production facility set to open this year. Hoping to build on that success, Kia has launched its new 2010 Forte, replacing the Spectra that failed to stand out among cars like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Mazda3. With a new name, a new face, upgraded powertrains and aspirations to exceed consumer expectations about the brand, can the Forte help Kia finally make its mark in the compact sedan segment?
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pennfootball - 6/16/2009 2:45:03 PM

-4 Boost

Now THAT! IS WHAT I WANT!!!!! OMG!!!
Not!!!!

ChevyFan100 - 6/16/2009 4:11:46 PM

+2 Boost

I like Kia's new grill style. The Soul looks great and the production version of the Soulster Concept should be interesting.

Agent00R - 6/16/2009 5:00:04 PM

+4 Boost

Apart from the brand's poor "gotta have it" factor, you cannot tell me that this Forte is not better looking than a Corolla or the new Mazda 3.

So, it's got decent looks, but, the question remains how does it drive and what's the fit and finish like?

clsboy - 6/16/2009 7:37:52 PM

+2 Boost

Why can't they treat the Armanti to some of the same aesthetics???...

Joe_Limon - 6/16/2009 8:00:59 PM

+1 Boost

The Forte commercials are god aweful, and they pin out perfectly the people who are going to buy them.

spiritfilled - 6/16/2009 8:43:40 PM

+1 Boost

i thought that was the Honda Insight for a sec. Well i guess since Hyundai's rise consisted of borrowing designs of other cars to get some attention, Kia said why not as well. Go on Kia, get your Kinkos on.

looks ok tho

Speedoholic - 6/17/2009 5:52:43 AM

+1 Boost

I don't know why Kia's so hated. They make nice affordable cars.
The Koreans are surely evolving.

thstone - 6/17/2009 5:45:23 PM

0 Boost

This is why people hate Kia's:

"The 2.4-liter powerplant was sluggish to respond to throttle input, and it wheezed and gasped at anything above 3,500 rpm. Surprisingly, the six-speed manual transmission didn't earn our affection either. Shifting feel was vague at best, and we had problems with smoothly modulating the clutch due to a relatively low engagement point combined with a hesitant throttle."