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2014 Forte

37 messages,  Last post on May 14, 2013 at 1:26 PM

You are in the Kia Forte / Forte Koup Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Forte, Kia, Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 5

#6 of 37 More details available now by backy

Feb 04, 2013 (7:12 pm)

At kia.com: http://www.kia.com/#/2014-forte/?cid=sem&ppc=y
 
Also you may have seen the "Hot Bots" ad last night on the Super Bowl. OK ad, but didn't reveal much about the car (but the Sorento "where do babies come from?" ad didn't say much about the vehicle, either).
 
Also some first drives are ekeing out:
 
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/2014-kia-forte-first-drive-review/
 
http://www.slashgear.com/2014-kia-forte-test-drive-luxury-features-in-a-compact-- sedan-30267425/
 
http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2013/02/first-drive-video-2014-kia-forte-br- ings-much-to-the-small-car-competition.html
 
http://www.cars.com/kia/forte/2014/expert-reviews/?revid=59320
 
http://www.leftlanenews.com/first-drive-2014-kia-forte-review.html
 
One of the biggest surprises to me is that the 148 hp engine from the Elantra will be used only on the Forte LX. The EX will get a 173 hp, 2.0 GDI mill. That will make the Forte EX one of the most powerful cars in its class.
 
Also tons of optional features available on the Forte EX... but at what cost? At least those who want their compact all gussied up can get the Forte that way. But get much past $20k and I start wondering about other choices. The LX with convenience package will run about $18,500... or similar to a like-equipped Elantra.
 
The looks are more mini-Optima than close to a Focus. The tail lamps are kinda like those of the Focus, but they're also like other Kia models and very similar in shape to those on the Sonata. So where did the Focus get ITS tail lamps?
 
I'll have to take a look at the Forte at the local auto show next month and take it for a drive when it hits the dealers. If it drives well I might toss it into the mix for my next car purchase later this year, but I'll more likely go the hatch route. Maybe the Forte5 replacement will be out by then. If not, there's always the Elantra GT, Mazda3i, Golf etc.

#7 of 37 2014 Forte 5-door at Chicago Auto Show by conwelpic

Feb 07, 2013 (9:40 am)

available in 2 models:
EX with the 173 hp 2.0L GDI engine
SX with the 201 hp 1.6L turbo engine
 

 

#8 of 37 Re: 2014 Forte 5-door at Chicago Auto Show [conwelpic] by backy

Feb 07, 2013 (1:49 pm)

Replying to: conwelpic (Feb 07, 2013 9:40 am)
Looks good, but close enough in size/shape to the Elantra GT I wonder if they share a chassis?
 
Since the hatch won't be available in LX trim, I wonder if the Forte5 will be available for anywhere close to the price of the base Elantra GT? That car with the 6MT and very nicely equipped including heated seats is a little over $19k with discounts available. I don't need 173 hp, but if the price of the EX is close to that of the base Elantra GT it will be hard to resist.

#9 of 37 Re: 2014 Forte 5-door at Chicago Auto Show [backy] by conwelpic

Feb 07, 2013 (3:21 pm)

Replying to: backy (Feb 07, 2013 1:49 pm)
they share powertrains and built off similar platforms, but Kia is not trying to duplicate Hyundai and therefore is equipped quite differently. I can't see it being as cheap as the GT as the EX comes standard with automatic, it does have available heated seats for front and rear.
The Forte 5 has a 2" longer wheelbase and 2 cu.ft. more interior volume with more rear legroom.
You can check out all the specs at http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/forte-5-door/2014/features, prices will not be released till closer to the availability date which will be in the 3rd quarter.

#10 of 37 Re: 2014 Forte 5-door at Chicago Auto Show [conwelpic] by backy

Feb 07, 2013 (5:12 pm)

Replying to: conwelpic (Feb 07, 2013 3:21 pm)
Actually, the Forte5 does NOT share powertrains with the Elantra GT. The Elantra GT uses the 148 hp engine that's also in the Elantra sedan and coupe. But according to what you posted here, the Forte5 will be available with the 173 hp GDI and the 2.0L turbo and not the 148 hp engine. (Which makes me wonder if Hyundai will make the 2.0T available in the GT for 2014.)
 
Since I really wanted a stick in my next car and the Elantra GT has a nice one, that could strike the Forte5 EX off my list... that and the bigger price tag, albeit the Forte5 might have more features. The greater rear legroom would be nice, but the Elantra GT has enough for my needs. And the GT has the front heated seats standard, even with cloth; I wouldn't be surprised if you have to get leather for the 4 heated seats on the Forte5.
 
The Forte5 is great looking in the photos though... maybe Kia's best effort to date IMO.

#11 of 37 Re: 2014 Forte 5-door at Chicago Auto Show [backy] by conwelpic

Feb 07, 2013 (9:26 pm)

Replying to: backy (Feb 07, 2013 5:12 pm)
your right about the 5 dr vs the GT but the 1.8L is used in the Forte sedan as the base engine in the LX, so just referring to powertrains in general with the Elantra and Forte lines. The 1.6L turbo in the SX Forte 5-door is the engine that is used in the Veloster.

#12 of 37 more photos by conwelpic

Feb 08, 2013 (8:59 am)

dash and engine of the SX 5-door model
 

 

#13 of 37 Finally! by dodgeman07

Feb 12, 2013 (10:39 pm)

Looks like Hyundai/Kia got the message. The C&D First Drive Review says, "One element that does stand out, though, is how quiet this car is in operation. Interior noise was an issue with the outgoing car, but the engineering team has tamed that gremlin on the new model...the new Forte is among the quietest cars in its class".
 
With only a modest weight increase over the Elantra, this car seems to deliver the sound of silence.
 
Car and Driver

#14 of 37 Impressive by sandman_6472

Feb 13, 2013 (4:49 am)

Very impressive looking in the 5 door but still think the Elantra GT is the best looking in this segment followed closely by the Focus and I've got a feeling that the Hyundai will be a bit less expensive to buy. From what I've heard, Ford deleted the SEL hatch from the lineup...and that's the one I really liked last year. I saw one at the dealer very well optioned along with a power leather seat which blew me away in that seafoam color...a very striking looking vehicle! I was really blown away by it and decided then and there that the Focus hatch is more attractive than the sedan. Both of these seem to be in the rental fleets we service in large quantities so gotta feeling that the used car market will be flooded with them in the near future. I'd bet that after a car has about 25k on it, the company's dump 'em into the used market which can only bring the prices down on these puppies. Probably are a very good bargain for a shopper who has no problem driving an ex-rental. I know that I treat each car just like I do my personal vehicle but I'm betting most folk don't give a crap and really abuse them. I'm finding many of them really nasty inside before they're cleaned up so I can just imagine how they drive 'em...forget the break in period! But the rental companies do an excellent job of cleaning and maintaining these vehicles. Even the cars I've driven with mileage in the teens and twenty's drive straight and true with no excessive tire wear and perfect alignments. So if someone has no problem buying these used, a screaming deal can probably be had!
 
The Sandman

#15 of 37 Re: Impressive [sandman_6472] by conwelpic

Feb 13, 2013 (7:04 am)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Feb 13, 2013 4:49 am)
not sure if this would apply in your case, but one of the major complaints on the Focus has been the rear legroom. Here is how they stack up:
 
Focus - front 41.9", rear 33.2"
Elantra GT - front 42", rear 34.6"
new Forte 5-dr - front 42.2", rear 35.9"
 
This also equates for passenger volume to:
Focus - 90.7 cu. ft.
Elantra GR - 96.1 cu. ft.
new Forte 5-dr - 98.2 cu. ft.

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