2011 Kia Forte Review

Kia Forte sports

The Kia Forte sports crisp styling that gives the sedan an athletic shape. For 2011, the Kia Forte lineup finally gets a six-speed automatic transmission, a new four-door hatchback body style and a minor equipment shuffle.

The 2011 Forte also receives a standard six-speed manual transmission on all models and a new six-speed automatic.

The 2011 Kia Forte is available in three body styles: four-door sedan, four-door hatchback and two-door coupe ("Koup"). The sedan is available in LX, EX and SX trims, while the hatchback and Koup come in EX and SX trims only.

Standard equipment on the base LX includes 15-inch steel wheels, a six-way-adjustable driver seat, a tilt steering column, 60/40-split-folding rear seat, Bluetooth connectivity and a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio system (with satellite radio and USB/auxiliary audio jacks). The EX adds keyless entry, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a six-speaker audio system and cruise control, while the EX Koup adds 16-inch alloy wheels, firmer suspension tuning, sport front seats and a sportier exhaust note.

The SX trim comes equipped with a more powerful 2.4-liter engine, a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, wider tires, foglights, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an enhanced gauge cluster, a trip computer, unique cloth upholstery and metallic interior trim. A Fuel Economy package for the EX sedan and hatchback adds electric power steering, low-rolling-resistance tires and aerodynamic enhancements. SX options include a sunroof and heated leather seats, while a Technology package offering keyless ignition/entry, a navigation system, automatic climate control and chrome exterior door handles is available on the EX and SX.

Powertrain and Performance

The 2011 Kia Forte LX and EX get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 156 hp and 144 pound-feet of torque. Opting for the Fuel Economy package bumps the EX sedan/hatchback figures to 27/37/30.

Kia estimates the more powerful Forte SX at 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway with the manual and 23/32 (23/31 for the Koup) with the automatic.

Safety

Standard Forte safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.

The Kia Forte has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. In the side-impact tests, the Forte earned five stars for the driver and four stars for rear passengers. Cargo space is plentiful in the coupe and sedan, measuring 12.6 cubic feet and 14.7 cubic feet, respectively.

Driving Impressions

The 2011 Kia Forte isn't exactly a driver's car in LX or EX guise.

The Kia Forte receives a few aesthetic and mechanical changes, but the most noticeable shift is the introduction of the Forte five-door hatchback. Kia succeeded, and the 2010 Forte became a reviewer favorite for its ample cargo space, affordable price and strong list of standard features. For 2011, Kia Forte sedan and Koup models remain largely unchanged. Kia, however, has added another model to the Forte lineup: a five-door hatchback.

The new transmission should improve fuel economy, but neither Kia nor the EPA has released fuel economy ratings.

In addition to a new transmission, the hatchback is shorter in length than the 2010 Kia Forte sedan and Koup, but it’s still longer than the Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Golf. Some aspects of the five-door hatchback carry over to the 2011sedan and Koup models. The 2011 Kia Forte five-door hatchback will be available this fall, but Kia has not provided a release date for the 2011 Forte sedan and Koup. The hatchback’s seats fold down -- but not all the way -- to provide 26 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front row. Unlike the Fiesta and Forte, the Fit is only available as a hatchback.

If you don’t want a hatchback, there are plenty of sedans available that offer a complete package: ample cargo space and good fuel economy. Details: 2011 Kia Forte

The 2011 Kia Forte has three model options: a sedan, Koup and a five-door hatchback.

Kia hasn’t released pricing information for the 2011 models. The 2010 Forte models, however, are priced affordably, and start at $13,695 for the sedan and $16,595 for the Koup.