The 2011 Kia Forte SX sedan is respectable, with decent power, slightly above average looks and an eager chassis, but it's nothing remarkable. It's competitive but not class-leading. Still, it's well-executed in most respects and it's a step forward for Kia.
The chassis is tight, perhaps a bit more so than most cars in this segment. The body is reasonably controlled, and aggressively cornering and bouncing over roads returned a rather invigorating experience. I took a curve just outside of One Autoweek Tower with serious energy, pushing the body and chassis, but the Kia responded. Intense driving isn't this car's forte (I know, I know), but it is capable of some verve.
The four-banger is just OK. The paddles bring some life to the experience but overall, the power is just passable. The interior is plain, with just a few highlights in the dials and accents. Otherwise, the materials are a touch too blasé. I like the styling on the outside, which is understated yet well anchored in contemporary design language. Kia is getting ever more formidable, and the Forte is part of a solid product salvo.
My choice for the weekend was this Kia Forte SX or the Mazda 5 minivan. No surprise, I went with the sedan. We've been talking about how Kia has been stepping it up for a while now, and this is just another example. The sheetmetal has a clean look to it with the shape of the last generation Acura TSX, especially in the back. The front end looks a bit cheesy to my eyes, but taken as a package, the top trim of the Forte looks good.
The interior would be a bit underwhelming if the price wasn't so low. I would have guessed a bit higher than $23,000. The seats are comfortable but the high seating position ruins any sporty feeling for me. It has an adjuster lever, but when I got in, it was in its lowest position. I did get used to it after a while but it feels like you're sitting on top of the car, instead of in it.
The radio, navigation and steering-wheel controls worked well, and I love the navigation system that Kia and Hyundai are using. It's easy to use and easy to see, except in direct sunlight. The rearview camera is a good option to have at this price.
The touch points are mostly hard plastic and a bit inexpensive feeling, especially in the armrests, which bugs me to no end.
The SX is the sporty Forte and had the paddle shifters to prove it. It has a standard torque-converter transmission but the shifts were relatively quick. It's always a bit fun to grab a few lower gears and make a pass on the expressway. The SX gets the upgraded suspension, which has a nice sporty feel without beating you up too much. Much of my weekend was spend on dirt roads where the SX was easy to handle and slide around.
It seemed to be tuned pretty aggressively. Just a slight tip of the throttle and the car is off and running. Same thing for the brakes; it took a feather-light foot to do it smoothly.
Lastly, it's always nice to see something clever in these econo cars. The Kia has pulls in the trunk to send the back seats down. It's a convenient feature. They also double as hooks for grocery bags, which I needed as well.
