Test Drive: Did Kia's Forte Get The Upper Hand On Honda's Civic

There's a lot to recommend the 2010 Kia Forte sedan. The EX midlevel test car was lively, even though powered by the base, 2-liter engine. Tuned to deliver a lot of scoot with only a little pedal. The brakes likewise did a lot for not much pedal push. And the steering. Straight ahead without twitching and tugging the wheel.

The leather seats. Sweet. No six-ways-from-Sunday lumbar supports, magic massage devices or other gadgets some automakers use to justify high prices. Credit the lack of furbelows for adding to Kia's comfort. Straightforward, nicely shaped, sufficiently supportive seats.

Overall, Forte didn't match the classy feel of the Honda Civic nor the inviting agility of the Ford Focus, two of its main rivals. But it felt roomier than either, and the manufacturers' specifications show that in most ways, it is.


2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Photo Gallery

AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries

If you want to see your photos running on our homepage photo ticker, be sure to upload your photos on the go by sending them to Mobile@AutoSpies.com

Share on Facebook

There are photos and then there are AutoSpies.com photos!

AutoSpies.com is ranked number one on Google search for auto shows

The 2009 Franfurt Motor Show gallery is sponsored by Lexus.

Read Article

ceric - 9/18/2009 5:07:51 PM

+7 Boost

It will head to rental.
You buy a Forte and a Civic for 5 years. See which one is easier to resell, and retain better value.
In 5 years, your Forte will worth $2K, while your civic will still worth $9k. Don't believe me? Check the selling prices of typical 2004 Civics. I certainly hope you buy a Forte that is at least $7k cheaper to begin with. An Civic LX costs about $16k. You better buy a Forte at $9K if you want the purchase to make sense.

PerformanceGuy - 9/18/2009 5:32:04 PM

+6 Boost

The simple answer is no. The Forte will appeal to those that can not afford a Honda Civic. Kia and Hyundai both appeal to a lower level market.

MSP6 - 9/18/2009 7:10:21 PM

+8 Boost

The Forte has just been released, and it's there for 4-5 years. The civic has been out since 2006 and the new model should arrive for 2011.

The Forte may be on par with a 4 y/o Civic, but the new Civic will put it into shame. That is always the case with Hyundai, always late...

lexusrox123 - 9/18/2009 10:05:50 PM

+5 Boost

its a civic clone, in terms of exterior design...

toDD73 - 9/19/2009 9:51:14 AM

+6 Boost

HyundaiSmoke must be smokin something!! Leather is offered on th civic and not where you got your civic si price but last time I checked it was $22815. The interior in the civic is second to none!! I like how Hyundai offers a LX EX and SX. How clever!!!!

MSP6 - 9/19/2009 4:25:58 PM

+6 Boost

If the Civic you test drove had a 1995 Hyundai-like dash, it's probably because it was a 1984 model. We are talking about the current model, not the one from 30 years ago...

lexusrox123 - 9/20/2009 8:34:31 PM

0 Boost

i think i read before on autospies that huu76 is from hong kong, not japan.

tango - 9/19/2009 12:07:02 PM

-1 Boost

There are several things people consider when buying a car. Because a person chooses to buy a Forte does not mean that they cannot afford a Civic. That person cold very well a) not like the Honda styling, b) not want to have to deal with the more likely threat of the Honda being stolen, c) be fond of the Kia brand...so on, so forth. It's like a Prius driver. Not all of them are concerned with the environment. Some like the styling, others just want to save a buck or two at the pumps. It doesn't mean that they can't appreciate a Porsche or a Ferrari, but those cars just aren't a priority.