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2010 Kia Forte EX Review

Well-Rounded Runabout

A three-quarter front view of a red 2010 Kia Forte Ex

In short: A class-leading value-packed entry sedan.

Dynamically styled with a sleek and bold profile, the all-new Kia Forte is designed to combine a sporty personality with fuel-efficient pragmatism. This value-oriented compact sedan, which debuted at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, will likely compete with Honda’s Civic and replaces Kia’s Spectra. The five-passenger vehicle is available in three trims—the LX, EX and SX—with the first two levels furnished with a peppy 156-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a standard five-speed manual transmission; a four-speed automatic is optional. On the highway, the EX gets a 34 mpg rating. The sportier, more powerful SX version comes with a 173-horsepower four-cylinder engine in addition to a more aggressively designed exterior, sport-tuned suspension and rear spoiler. Inside the Forte EX’s roomy cabin is 96.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortable cloth seats, a six-way driver’s seat, a large trunk, Bluetooth connectivity, and a four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with Sirius satellite radio capability, an auxiliary input jack and an USB port.

Read a review of the 2010 Kia Forte Koup EX

Warranty/Service: 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and roadside assistance plan; 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty; 5-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty.

QUICK SHEET

Base Price: $16,795 / As tested: $19,295

Technical Specifications

Vehicle type: front engine, front-wheel drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

Engine: 2.0-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder with CVVT
Horsepower: 156 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque: 144 lb-ft @ 4,300 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual

Curb weight: n/a
Wheelbase: 104.3 in
Length/Width/Height: 178.3/69.9/57.5 in
Turning circle: 33.8 ft

Brakes: all-wheel power-assisted disc with ABS
Suspension: independent MacPherson struts in front; torsion beam with struts in rear; coil springs and stabilizer bar in front and rear

Traction: traction control and electronic stability control

0-60 mph: n/a
Top Speed: n/a

EPA City: 25 mpg
EPA Highway: 34 mpg

Safety: active front headrests; advanced two-stage airbags; front seat-mounted and side curtain airbags; tire pressure monitoring system

Likes: large trunk; zippy; maneuverable
Dislikes:

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Photography: AlphaMedia

PSV060809

(Updated 05/23/11 NW)

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