Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full writeup. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
It's rare that a sedan in this class surprises us. Compact budget sedans like the 2010 Kia Forte aren't really supposed to surprise you, they're supposed to get you to and from work as efficiently and trouble-free as possible. Surprises are generally a bad thing in this category.
That wasn't the case here, however, as the Kia Forte turned in some track test results that had our test driver taking notice. We don't want to oversell this. The Kia Forte is not going to run circles around a Honda Civic Si, but as the numbers show, it wouldn't be all that far behind.
Granted, our Kia Forte test car was the SX model, which gets an upgraded 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 173 horsepower, a five-speed automatic and 17-inch wheels and tires. Still, with a starting price of $18,495 it's every bit the economy sedan. Click through to see how it fared at the track and why it might surprise you, too.
Vehicle: 2010 Kia Forte
Odometer: 2,181
Date: 10/20/09
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: $20,890
Specifications:
Drive Type: Front-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Five-speed automatic
Engine Type: Inline-4
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 2,359cc (144 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 6,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 173 @ 6,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 168 @ 4,000
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): Disc
Steering System: Speed-proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): MacPherson strut
Suspension Type (rear): Torsion beam
Tire Size (front): P215/45R17
Tire Size (rear): P215/45R17
Tire Brand: Goodyear
Tire Model: Eagle LS2
Tire Type: All-season
Wheel Size: 17-by-7 inches
Wheel Material (front/rear): Alloy
As Tested Curb Weight (lb): 2,952
Test Results:
0-30 (sec): 3.1
0-45 (sec): 5.6
0-60 (sec): 8.6
0-75 (sec): 12.8
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 16.4 @ 84.9
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 8.3
30-0 (ft): 30
60-0 (ft): 118
Braking Rating: Very Good
Slalom (mph): 67.3
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g): 0.86
Handling Rating: Excellent
Db @ Idle: 38
Db @ Full Throttle: 68.2
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 60.3
Acceleration Comments: Almost enough power to spin the tires at launch, but it still manages a chirp. Power trails off as you near the redline, but it never feels/sounds as if it's going to explode.
Braking Comments: Very good anti-dive character, firm pedal feel, very good fade resistance. Tires are playing a part, but they're not the only reason for the good results.
Handling Comments: (Skid pad) Impressive grip and poise. Again, tires are helping quite a bit here, but the chassis has an inherent balance as well. Steering feel was unremarkable. (Slalom) I was shocked by how well the Forte went through the cones on the initial "get to know you" run and confidently ramped up the speed to almost 70 mph by the fourth pass. Wow. Excellent in transitions, with good turn-in and rear-end poise. The steering is only so-so, as I beat the power steering pump once or twice during quick transitions.
altimadude00 says:
07:49 PM, 11/10/09
Looks like the Mazda3 has something to worry about.
clarkma5 says:
08:16 PM, 11/10/09
Hugely impressive. And there's no denying that the Koup SX is easily one of the sexiest cars available for under $25k.
estreka says:
03:34 AM, 11/11/09
Another round in the Hyundai salvo. They're winning in a big way.
ms3hothatch says:
05:15 AM, 11/11/09
I saw a few Forte SX sedans and one Forte Koup at my local Kia and I was impressed. I liked the fact that the Koup retained the five passenger capability. Many conversions to coupe become 2+2s. I hate the wheels of the SX Koup, however. Nevertheless, many buyers will no doubt do aftermarket for better-looking or lighter wheels. One problem that I see is that the loaded Koup SX costs about the same as a base Genesis coupe with RWD and a 2.0T. Either the Genesis is a steal or the Koup SX si overpriced.
ms3hothatch says:
05:15 AM, 11/11/09
I saw a few Forte SX sedans and one Forte Koup at my local Kia and I was impressed. I liked the fact that the Koup retained the five passenger capability. Many conversions to coupe become 2+2s. I hate the wheels of the SX Koup, however. Nevertheless, many buyers will no doubt do aftermarket for better-looking or lighter wheels. One problem that I see is that the loaded Koup SX costs about the same as a base Genesis coupe with RWD and a 2.0T. Either the Genesis is a steal or the Koup SX is overpriced.
ms3hothatch says:
05:18 AM, 11/11/09
Sorry for accidental double post - I tried to edit.
zoomzoomn says:
05:19 AM, 11/11/09
Ditto on the Forte Koup. Very sharp for $20K. I'd want to see how a long termer would hold up for you guys. I still have a certain queaziness when it comes to old memories of Hyundais and Kias. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. Put one of these in the fleet!
fuhteng says:
05:36 AM, 11/11/09
Ditto on the ditto there zoomzoom. IL loves the Genesis sedan, but what about its cheaper cousins? I think it would be great, especially since they've already had the main Japanese competitor in this price range.
dougtheeng says:
05:58 AM, 11/11/09
I'd love to see the Koup here at IL. I've had my Soul for 5 months now and I'm still quite enjoying it.
prosource1 says:
06:10 AM, 11/11/09
With the Korean currency still weak and Hyundai/Kia pipeline spitting out products like the Forte, Koup, Genesis, new Sonata and new Tucson, how much damage is this company going to inflict? This company is a monster! And the problem to their competitors is that they really are getting good, they are pulverizing their competitors with their ads and they are eating up the emerging markets of China and India.
I guess that's why the other execs are talking.
“Hyundai is awesome,” said Takanobu Ito, Honda’s chief executive
'Hyundai is the biggest threat for the Japanese automakers,' said Nissan’s chief designer, Shiro Nakamura
"We're worried about them," Yukitoshi Funo, chairman of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.
hondacura4 says:
06:50 AM, 11/11/09
"Looks like the Mazda3 has something to worry about."
Fairly close but not quite. Although the performance and natural balance of this car is quite impressive, I wasn't impressed with its interior presentation. As soon as I opened the door on this exact car a few months ago I immediately felt the level of perceived quality was in the same class as a Fit or Aveo not the Mazda3 or Civic.
However, the feature content was pretty substantial even in the base car. I'll assume that was the compromise. Kia, simply work on interior presentation and this car could in fact be a winner.
sabastian says:
07:10 AM, 11/11/09
Hmm...The as-tested price of this car is $20,890. From there it's only about $1200 to a Civic Si coupe, and I'd probably try as hard as I could to find the extra dough.
zoomzoomn says:
08:02 AM, 11/11/09
"...as-tested price of this car is $20,890. From there it's only about $1200 to a Civic Si coupe..."
Yeah, but the sedan has rebates and/or low interest financing (nothing on the Koup). Also, you can get the auto-stick with the Forte (for those not wanting to row the gears themselves). It's manual trans only on the Civic Si. I wonder how the Forte SX sedan compares to the Corolla XRS sedan with it's 2.4L? That would seem to be a more direct competitor than the Civic Si.
lexuslvr says:
09:12 AM, 11/11/09
On Car and Driver the 2009 Corolla XRS 5-speed manual hit 60 in 7.9 sec and pulled .84g on the skidpad. It has 158 hp from its 2.4 I4.
However the Kia Koup 6-speed manual hit 60 in 7.1 sec and pulled .89g on the skidpad. You already know the Koup has 173 hp from its 2.4 I4.
For the record the old XRS 6-speed manual hit 60 in 7.1 sec and pulled the same .82g as the new XRS. It had 170 hp from its 1.8 I4.
bodyblue says:
11:08 AM, 11/11/09
Such a nice looking car! Get one for the fleet, except get the mid level with the fuel economy package.
arumage says:
12:01 PM, 11/11/09
"...as-tested price of this car is $20,890. From there it's only about $1200 to a Civic Si coupe..."
The Forte SX in this test had the automatic, a $1000 option. It also had leather, a $1000 option. Get rid of those, and you'd have to justify a $3200 difference.
sabastian says:
03:35 PM, 11/11/09
"The Forte SX in this test had the automatic, a $1000 option. It also had leather, a $1000 option. Get rid of those, and you'd have to justify a $3200 difference."
CPO Civic Si?
inlinesix says:
07:18 PM, 11/11/09
I saw one of the Koups today and it really looks good. Had to do a double take.
bimmerjay says:
11:28 PM, 11/11/09
Snoozy acceleration (a Civic Si should smoke this thing) but great handling/skidpad results - I'm impressed. Especially given the twist beam rear suspenders and obviously underpowered steering system. I would be interested to hear about this car's tactility compared to the Civic.
cr_driver says:
09:50 AM, 11/12/09
Add one to the IL long term fleet....
dodgeman07 says:
10:39 PM, 11/15/09
"Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 60.3"
-------------------------------------
That is Lexus like quietness. I gotta drive this thing!
cptmatt says:
04:45 PM, 11/16/09
On looks alone, the Mazda 3 has plenty to worry about. The Forte's front end is lightyears better looking than that goofy "hyuk, hyuk" nose on the 3.