@@battosaijenkins946 Because if you look closely, the turn signal cluster is AT the bottom corner of the rear bumper. Any fender bender will likely bust that light cluster.
I just bought a 2019 Kia forte literally one week ago today....last tuesday.i absolutely! Adore my new car! Proud to have it.my salesman was really nice I recommend it to everyone! Everything this man is saying is true to word....mine is excatly like this....❣️❣️❣️❣️
I just bought a 2019 kia forte. I absolutely love it. I traded my 2015 in for it. They have redesigned it alot and made a major improvement. The 2015 was good also.
I am reading only how people love it, but I need to hear what is wrong with it too. since you traded in your 15 can you tell me if you had any problems with it.
Fantastic review. My only gripe is "not everyone can afford to buy [insert relatively expensive vehicle]" I hear many reviewers use that line in compact and subcompact reviews and frankly it's a little annoying. Not everyone sees the importance on spending a lot of money on an asset that will only depreciate even if they can easily afford it.
Michael Gallegos exactly! a friend of mine lost more in depreciation in two years on his Mercedes than I paid for my whole vw gli and after a software flash on my car’s computer I would beat him in races LOL. I can think of way better things to spend my hard earned money on
I see not many expensive cars on the road if you compare to affordable cars.. Even in VW, for example, how many Jettas have you seen on the road than Civic, Corolla, Kia and Hyundai.. It may sound annoying to you but it is the truth.. Most of us don't give a shit about resale value. We care to keep the car as long as we can.. Any car can last more or less the same amount of time if you know how to take care of your car.. Especially with Kia and Hyundai, 10 years warranty from manufacturer and another 10 more years added by some Dealers can go farther than any other brand on the road today.. That is what it counts.. There are so many choices out there and you make your own choice doesn't mean everybody has to make the same choice..
That is why I got the base Soul with standard 6 speed mt. It has already got more than what I need and a manual transmission will have better longetivity than the cvt/ivt. My project car is from an auction
I drove it twice. Both Fortes I drove were quite impressive. The engine isn't that weak unless you want to hit more than 130km/h. It's pretty silent and has various kinds of tech options that are rare for it's class.
I actually test drove one of these and to be honest if your a simple no frills type of person the CVT isn't too bad, it gets the job done and the mpg is accurate even though I had the car for only 6 hours. I will be doing a full review in the coming days when I get my tester back again. great review Edmunds
This Stinger inspired design is a hallmark of the Forte it’s a good driving , practical and user friendly compact car and a good choice for the segment
They stopped copying the optima design and yet the optima still has its older design from 2011 while every other kia products have their updated faces. Guess they forgot about their bread winner.
don't' change what isn't broken, but even then The optima is pure gold. Like their isn't a single American sedan out their that can compete with it. with that said I'm pretty sure they will change the exterior to be closer to the stinger in the next gen of the optima. KIA realizes what a gold mine the stinger is, and would be stupid to not capitalize it.@@samlung2724
@@AlAl-fu6ct - now please tell us how you really feel. If your goal in life is to impress strangers with the car you are driving, go ahead and get your BMW, MBZ or Lexus - you can do whatever you like with your money. But from my experience, the only people who look down their noses at others because of what they wear or drive are jerks and wannabes.
It's scary how Kia is designing beautiful cars and big manufactures like Honda struggle to make decent looking ones. The Accord is a prime example of what exteriors shouldn't look like😁
What's so ugly about the accord? I prefer the looks of the newer camry's but find it hard to believe that people would think the Accord is not decent looking at the very least....
@@zgmf-x19ainfinitejustice28 well there's the charger sxt bumper up front. Those tacky sensors are uncovered as well. The Accord also has a jacked up IMPALA side profile. The Hofmeister kink on the rear side looks horrible. The back looks ugly AF with those ugly Kristy krab inspired tail lights. Very inelegant exterior. Honda is copying GM and Dodge and Hyundai for it's exteriors. I could go on about it. But the damage has already been done.
I honestly prefer Kia models over Hyundai models, they are from the same group and everything but I think Kia is more reliable, good price and excellent warranty. This particular model is very beautiful, and it has a good price for the features it has. Excellent review guys.
The Elantra is better just because of the transmission. The CVT is no fun, sounds awful, and tends to have a shorter shelf-life than normal transmissions.
I was trying to choose between the 2019 Kia Forte EX, 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE, and 2018 Mazda 3 GT. The Mazda was the funnest to drive, but it would have been most expensive to insure. It would have been more expensive to insure than the 2019 Mazda CX-5 Touring, which really surprised me. The Corolla would have been the cheapest to insure, but it's also the smallest, and I want my backseat passengers to still be comfortable. Ultimately, I went with the Forte because I was able to get so many features for the money. The dealership was also able to cancel my extended warranty on my Versa and use the prorated refund as a downpayment, so I didn't carry any negative equity into my lease, which I wouldn't have been able to do with the other vehicles. I've heard that Kia is going to release a SX version of the Forte, which would make it more fun to drive. However, the EX is very comfortable to drive and it's a HUGE step up from my Versa's 109hp and droning CVT. The Forte's feels more natural. A major plus were the rear air conditioning vents, which was nearly impossible to find at this price point. I'm also in love with the heated and cooled front seats. I decided to lease because I needed something right away, but I'm super excited for the Mazda 3 redesign next year with AWD, especially their upcoming mild hybrid system. The engine sounds really awesome and exciting, but because it'll be so brand new, they will need some time to work all the kinks out. If the hybrid system does well, I bet they'll put it in their other best seller the CX-5. In three years, I can walk away from this lease and get a Mazda3, CX-5, or RAV4 hybrid. Until then, I will be supremely comfortable in the Forte. No regrets!
It's a damned nice car for the money! That's for sure. HK audio is a nice bonus. Seems like the Korean twins always have audio quality just a little more in mind than most lower end companies.
I traded in my Toyota Matrix for a 2018 Kia Forte5 - no complaints. I made a review video on my channel somewhere as well. I should make another one after 6 months (november)
Good review, this had been along the lines of what I was thinking comparing all of them. If you just spec out what you need to get an auto and active safety, the Forte is thousands less than the 3 or Civic (still waiting on Canadian pricing of the 2020 Corolla)
I'm 6' 3" and I test drove a Forte with the 10 way power driver's seat and was surprised how comfortable it was. Yes, the telescoping range on the steering wheel is better than average and I actually could get in a more comfortable driving position than I can with my Subaru Legacy Touring XT. I was not expecting that. I have a 2022 Forte GT-Line on order right now with both premium packages. It will have the 10 way power seat with lumbar (just like my Legacy), the Harman-Kardon sound system (just like my Legacy) and ventilated seats (again, just like my Legacy). All for $25,000. It also has every single safety feature and driver assist my Legacy does. Pretty incredible for the price.
I get the sense the reviewer's too fixated on the "sedan" part and is comparing it to the old lame-duck Corolla sedan and not the new hatchback. By this time next year the Corolla sedan and Forte hatchback should both be on their respective new generations.
Standard equipment: Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, forward collision avoidance assist, bluetooth, backup camera, 7 inch touch screen, dual zone climate control, USB ports/Aux ports. Crazy value for the money, and I generally hate CVT’s but this one isn’t half bad.
I got the basic trim manual transmission and I couldn’t be happier. My only complaint was that the sound system was pretty weak, but I just replaced the speakers and the head unit and I’m totally pleased with my ride.
I just bought one of these and they drive so nice. People complain a lot about the cvt transmission and stuff but if you drive the car it feels different. It’s not just a cvt it’s an ivt and as crazy at it sounds it makes a difference. Also people say the cvt is not reliable but who cares when it comes with a 10 year warranty.
Gilbert Galvan seats are nice. Didn’t take it on a long trip yet but they are very comfortable. I got the lxs model which comes with cloth seats but they feel really nice. I imagine the leather seats are even more comfy.
I think auto makers are going a little crazy with top end offerings on entry level sedans but w/e. As long as they have more reasonably priced trims it's fine.
I just bought the base model 2019 Forte. You missed two major issues. The Forte get's 30mpg in city, 40 mpg on highway. You also did not mention the new enlarged trunk space. There is so much trunk space.
The price tag for the 2019 Kia Forte is $21,000. Not bad. 147hp. Has everything I don't want: no heated steering wheel, heated seats, no phone charger (without a charge cord) and mo sun roof. A ton of car for a very reasonable price!
Overall I think the forte is a good car. It's has good looks , a modern interior , good enough space , and an easy to use infotainment (Could be the perfect college car). The only downside is the cvt (Hopefully they'll offer a manual or automatic for the sx next year).
hey jordan just fyi kia will be releasing a 1.6 litre turbo in this car early next year and it will come with either a 6 speed manual or the 7 speed dual clutch automatic. i myself not a cvt fan but it will be well worth the wait for the turbo
@@alykonate4086 Aly let me tell you why a cvt transmission is not good. its simply because they say they are good for improving fuel economy and i get that. its just that when you press down on the gas pedal you get that droning noise remember cvts do not have gears and depending on the auto manufacturer, they are not as reliable as to a regular automatic, now i could be wrong, but i would rather prefer an automatic over a cvt
CVT is great in terms of both cost and fuel saving at the expense of a less engaging feel. If you let me choose I would never pick the CVT, unless no car manufacturer makes auto gears anymore. Premium cars and performance cars never use CVT, that pretty much explains why.
Had the 2014 ex. It was peppy, good breaks and handled well. The bad was, I never had a car blow out so many tires and ended up running run flats. I think it was rim design. Then ever decreased gas mileage and cold start issues due to carbon buildup...gdi engine problem. Just got a camry 2018 xle with 9000 miles for 24,000. Never looked back!
Most drivers drive their cars at 8/10’s to the limit or sit in traffic ridden highways so they will appreciate the high content and value of this car plus it has a longer warranty than Honda or Mazda. Nice job Kia.
Still driving my 2014 Kia Forte. Over 100k miles and NO problems. Gas and go. I wish Kia would redesign that ugly logo though. Pro Tip: Plasti-dip the chrome trim around the front grille and the car will gain 10 horsepower ;)
I test drove this Stinger. Manager is a friend and he lend me a loaner to keep for a weekend. After a weekend I can tell you these 2 things. Most annoying thing is front seats are uncomfortable. It feels like you are sitting on a bench. After about 20 mins of time in the seat you start feeling your back and hips are being annoyed. And lastly anybody who sat in the back seat complained loud road noise. And those are big no for me. I was considering this for my friend who is looking to commute about 50km one way to work. But instead went with 2019 Civic LX.
Ok, I just picked up the Forte LXS for 16300 out the door including the dealer doc fees, taxes, and tag. This mid-level car rides great and has the lane keep and collision avoidance and better-looking wheels than the base lx model and again no other compact sedan gives you 6ok bumper to bumper and 100k powertrain warranty except Hyundai and KIA. Not Honda, Toyota or Mazda. This new CVT doesn't sound like or drive like the conventional CVT
In Canada, the base manual transmission Kia Rio Hatchback with added A/C, cruise control, and heated front seats/steering wheel is priced HIGHER than the Kia Forte base model manual transmission, which already includes the above features and a more powerful engine. Sort of makes the Kia Rio Hatchback irrelevant.
Not even close. New Civic looks better and new Corolla hatch looks better than both. And best in class has always been Mazda 3. This thing looks nothing like a stinger. Stinger is sleek and sexy with good proportions. This thing awkward and chubby.
Clous von ..Looks are very subjective. But this looks way more stylish and higher quality than the Civic. Just wait til you get in one. It's really good!
I would buy a civic over the Forte but would definitely buy the Forte over the corolla any day. In a few years Kia’s and Hyundai’s will be the new kings of reliability.
MrRhysespieces I got to see it in person at the show. That thing was gorgeous! Elegance that makes you think it’s a luxury car. And the C pillar on the hatch will take some getting used to but I’m sure it will grow on me when I see it on the road
@@warz3bra245 doesn't matter where they are made. Its who calls the shot in what goes into the car. They drive great but dont last because of Ford short comings. They own most if the shares so they have a big say. Dont mix up drive quality with strength and general quality. Just because u might be a fan.
@@michaellawrence3085 you are Mistaken. Ford sold 20% of their stake in Mazda in 2008 and their remaining shares in Mazda in 2015. Ford has nothing to do with Mazda anymore, they are designed and constructed at the factory in Hiroshima Japan. I don't own a Mazda I've just lived in Hiroshima. Perhaps read a little more than once a decade and you will be able to keep up.
@@Oaktwn16 Did you find what I was talking about? The website that shows it is from the NHTSA. When it comes to CVT, I think the ones you find in the Prius is the gold standard
OK.. now the reality check. I had a 2016 KIa Forte and here is what I experienced. The paint chipped off the strangest places; on top of the hood, on top of the trunk and even on top of the roof. I brought it in for warranty repair and it was 'denied'. They said it was not a 'defect' but rather an 'effect' of my driving. Hmm really? The rear windshield glass rattled terribly in mild cold weather (40 degrees) and the warranty was again denied. They told me "that is normal due to expansion and contraction". I told them my other cars do not do this and they said those cars are not normal. Hmmm really? Next the transmission developed a tiny leak. I brought it in for warranty and they said it wasn't bad enough 'yet' to warrant a repair. "Keep an eye on it they said". I said "won't this hurt the transmission?' They replied "let's see how it goes'. Okaaayyyy then. The tires got sidewall bubbles every two months ( I did purchase tire insurance) but it was such a hassle to chase after them to get my claim paid. (Tip: DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON TIRE INSURANCE). Yet my other car never had this problem. Very strange indeed. And finally the leather seats started to fade and get all wrinkled up within a couple of months of ownership. And yes the warranty was denied on that as well. Sooooooo....what is the value of America's 10 Year warranty if they do not honor it? Beats me! I had to sell the car within a year because all the paint was flaking off. As for Lemon Law, it is a drawn out hassle and not worth my time fighting a car company and the dealership over a crappy car. Never again!
As far as paint goes, this is a concern on many new cars these days, especially non luxury cars. The whole industry shifted to more environmentally (read - less durable) paint and paint processes a number of years ago. You'll notice complaints about paint quality on many brand and car fan forums. It isn't just Kia. Economy car / mainstream car paint has been pretty close to garbage for the last decade or so with a few exceptions. I can't speak to your other issues.
Kia's are improving but calling it King of the Compact Sedan Class is offset by the fact that Hyundai/Kia are the only vehicles that are catching on fire on occasion. Their long term reliability is still an issue with some engine failures that are not happening in Toyota - Honda - Mazda vehicles. Rough ride and not the best seats are still on going issues. Kia's are good but not yet at the top of the class.
You make a good point. It's hard to beat Toyota and Honda, but KIA is certainly improving in their quality by leaps and bounds. All KIA cars are thoroughly tested in Korea for many years and all the bugs are eliminated. It's a tested and proved car with great value!
wow rear vents??? i am liking it ...its competition vw jetta has no rear vents and when asked about this missing feature with jetta designer ..he said there is no market. I was like really?? yo dont have to make features in a car just what a market wants. Sometimes you put those features so that the market will be blown away by it. well done KIA!!!
I hate stiff ride quality....I don't drive to work on a race track...I drive on poorly maintained public roads with potholes that open up overnight. I like suspensions that prevent my spine from being pulverized into dust.. I don't care if the car is bouncy, I want a comfortable ride.
I got a kia forte 2013. Gear stocked to park, engine wont work anymore and dealer saying not part of the warranty given to me 10years/100k miles. A very bad car to buy.
everyone keeps mistaking it as a CVT but it's actually a D-CVVT which is not referring to its transmission. It's still an automatic transmission.......
If the forte5 (with the 2.0 T) was also redesigned at the same time as the Forte I would have gotten it. However since that didn't happen I went with a civic hatch
Just because you do not drive an expensive car, doesn't mean you can't afford it. Why assume because someone is driving a "lower value" car, that they can't afford anything else?
THE FRONT BUMPER IS OVERWROUGHT. THE REAR BUMPERS AREN'T MUCH TO LOOK AT EITHER. SEEMS TO BE A TREND TODAY OF OVER-DESIGNING THE BUMPERS. TURN UP THE RADIO TO DROWN OUT THE NOISE?
This is a regression for Kia. A CVT, a weaker engine, no IRS. I ragged on the Jetta for being cheaply made and lacking IRS but somehow the this Kia is even worse. Disappointment. Maybe I just expect too much from Kia given how good there products normally are. I guess buyers really don't like or care bout driving. Shame
I think Kia really just wanted to make a high quality, efficient car with this new Forte. Don't worry! They've already had spy shots of the "GT" version of this car here in Korea. It will be a sweet driver!
First KIA went after the mid-sized sedan market with the optima, completely destroyed everyone in that market. Then they released the stinger, and shit on BMW/Audi. Now they are coming for the bread and butter of Toyota/Honda. God help Porsche,Ferrari if they ever want to go after the super car market. KIA already owns the combat SUV market with the Soul, the sorento is selling amazingly. if you're every other Car manufacturer, your looking very nervously at KIA. in just 7 years they went from a garbage brand, to being the most reliable cars on the market, and within another 10 years are going to most likely take honda place in terms of car sales in the US. That being said they do need a new better looking badge. that's something I don't think anyone is going to disagree with.
I own a 2017 Elantra. They have a 2.0 Atkinson cycle variant of the Nu engine. I would stay away. Mine, and according to many reports the dealer told me they get, is they make a loud ticking/tapping noise when cold. It sounds like a diesel. Dealer reported Hyundai said it was normal because the metal shrinks in cold weather. I have never ever had a car do this in cold weather and I have had my fair share of bombs. I bought it used so am only covered up to 60000 miles. I said to Hyundai ok if this is so normal cover my car to the full 10 year 100000 mile warranty. They just keep giving me the run around. I mean if there is no issue with the car it would not cost them anything to give the full powertrain warranty. I have no confidence in the longevity of this engine and unfortunately it looks like they are putting these in more models. Also I think these engines are in the Kia Forte and other Kia models.
![30 ชั่วโมงคนเดียว บนรถไฟชั้น 3 โซเวียต [Around The World Ep. 2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/MlE9boAVqDA/mqdefault.jpg)
Forte is affordable comfortable and reliable and value for money.
@Edmunds, I dont understand why you guys never have any photoshots of the rear? It's just as important as the front too you know.. jeezus~ =(
@@battosaijenkins946 Because if you look closely, the turn signal cluster is AT the bottom corner of the rear bumper. Any fender bender will likely bust that light cluster.
I just bought a 2019 Kia forte literally one week ago today....last tuesday.i absolutely! Adore my new car! Proud to have it.my salesman was really nice I recommend it to everyone! Everything this man is saying is true to word....mine is excatly like this....❣️❣️❣️❣️
I ❤my 2021KIA F0RTE 6SPEED
I just bought a 2019 kia forte. I absolutely love it. I traded my 2015 in for it. They have redesigned it alot and made a major improvement. The 2015 was good also.
I am reading only how people love it, but I need to hear what is wrong with it too. since you traded in your 15 can you tell me if you had any problems with it.
Fantastic review. My only gripe is "not everyone can afford to buy [insert relatively expensive vehicle]" I hear many reviewers use that line in compact and subcompact reviews and frankly it's a little annoying. Not everyone sees the importance on spending a lot of money on an asset that will only depreciate even if they can easily afford it.
Michael Gallegos exactly! a friend of mine lost more in depreciation in two years on his Mercedes than I paid for my whole vw gli and after a software flash on my car’s computer I would beat him in races LOL. I can think of way better things to spend my hard earned money on
@@78Ford351 mustangs are timeless 🤣🤣
Michael Gallegos Thank you Mr.Gallegos
I see not many expensive cars on the road if you compare to affordable cars..
Even in VW, for example, how many Jettas have you seen on the road than Civic, Corolla, Kia and Hyundai..
It may sound annoying to you but it is the truth..
Most of us don't give a shit about resale value.
We care to keep the car as long as we can..
Any car can last more or less the same amount of time if you know how to take care of your car..
Especially with Kia and Hyundai, 10 years warranty from manufacturer and another 10 more years added by some Dealers can go farther than any other brand on the road today..
That is what it counts..
There are so many choices out there and you make your own choice doesn't mean everybody has to make the same choice..
That is why I got the base Soul with standard 6 speed mt. It has already got more than what I need and a manual transmission will have better longetivity than the cvt/ivt. My project car is from an auction
I drove it twice. Both Fortes I drove were quite impressive. The engine isn't that weak unless you want to hit more than 130km/h. It's pretty silent and has various kinds of tech options that are rare for it's class.
유재혁 well said mate!
New life motto: "If I didn't tap that, I wouldn't have known.
Razor 😂
I actually test drove one of these and to be honest if your a simple no frills type of person the CVT isn't too bad, it gets the job done and the mpg is accurate even though I had the car for only 6 hours. I will be doing a full review in the coming days when I get my tester back again. great review Edmunds
This Stinger inspired design is a hallmark of the Forte it’s a good driving , practical and user friendly compact car and a good choice for the segment
They stopped copying the optima design and yet the optima still has its older design from 2011 while every other kia products have their updated faces. Guess they forgot about their bread winner.
don't' change what isn't broken, but even then The optima is pure gold. Like their isn't a single American sedan out their that can compete with it.
with that said I'm pretty sure they will change the exterior to be closer to the stinger in the next gen of the optima. KIA realizes what a gold mine the stinger is, and would be stupid to not capitalize it.@@samlung2724
It’s almost like Kia is going for Mercedes and Hyundai is going for Audi. Hyundai/Kia are doing amazing. Peter Schreyer is doing a great job.
hyundai and kia are garbage
@Jackson Whitlow its way better than this lol
Isaiah Martinez I agree
@@AlAl-fu6ct - now please tell us how you really feel. If your goal in life is to impress strangers with the car you are driving, go ahead and get your BMW, MBZ or Lexus - you can do whatever you like with your money. But from my experience, the only people who look down their noses at others because of what they wear or drive are jerks and wannabes.
Mark - you make the best car reviews on TH-cam - all you need to know about a car in less then 7 minutes! Thanks a lot!
It's scary how Kia is designing beautiful cars and big manufactures like Honda struggle to make decent looking ones. The Accord is a prime example of what exteriors shouldn't look like😁
What's so ugly about the accord? I prefer the looks of the newer camry's but find it hard to believe that people would think the Accord is not decent looking at the very least....
@@zgmf-x19ainfinitejustice28 well there's the charger sxt bumper up front. Those tacky sensors are uncovered as well. The Accord also has a jacked up IMPALA side profile. The Hofmeister kink on the rear side looks horrible. The back looks ugly AF with those ugly Kristy krab inspired tail lights. Very inelegant exterior. Honda is copying GM and Dodge and Hyundai for it's exteriors. I could go on about it. But the damage has already been done.
Accord is beautiful! It is Car & Driver’s America’s Best Sedan & North American Car of the Year! Most awarded sedan this year.
@@DONVITO223 all those awards are paid for.
The Accord is a boring looking dishwasher. That's the problem.
Very nice looking car! Makes me want to upgrade but I'm really happy with my 2016 Forte. No issues!
I honestly prefer Kia models over Hyundai models, they are from the same group and everything but I think Kia is more reliable, good price and excellent warranty. This particular model is very beautiful, and it has a good price for the features it has. Excellent review guys.
Thays weird because it literally is a Hyundai in every way but the body panels, sit in a Forte then sit in a elantra, there's no difference
Clous von the interior is completely different are you blind
The Elantra is better just because of the transmission. The CVT is no fun, sounds awful, and tends to have a shorter shelf-life than normal transmissions.
This new Forte is on the same platform as the current Elantra.
This forte one currently seems to have the same engine as the Hyundai Elantra. So not much different in engine power.
I was trying to choose between the 2019 Kia Forte EX, 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE, and 2018 Mazda 3 GT. The Mazda was the funnest to drive, but it would have been most expensive to insure. It would have been more expensive to insure than the 2019 Mazda CX-5 Touring, which really surprised me. The Corolla would have been the cheapest to insure, but it's also the smallest, and I want my backseat passengers to still be comfortable.
Ultimately, I went with the Forte because I was able to get so many features for the money. The dealership was also able to cancel my extended warranty on my Versa and use the prorated refund as a downpayment, so I didn't carry any negative equity into my lease, which I wouldn't have been able to do with the other vehicles. I've heard that Kia is going to release a SX version of the Forte, which would make it more fun to drive. However, the EX is very comfortable to drive and it's a HUGE step up from my Versa's 109hp and droning CVT. The Forte's feels more natural. A major plus were the rear air conditioning vents, which was nearly impossible to find at this price point. I'm also in love with the heated and cooled front seats.
I decided to lease because I needed something right away, but I'm super excited for the Mazda 3 redesign next year with AWD, especially their upcoming mild hybrid system. The engine sounds really awesome and exciting, but because it'll be so brand new, they will need some time to work all the kinks out. If the hybrid system does well, I bet they'll put it in their other best seller the CX-5. In three years, I can walk away from this lease and get a Mazda3, CX-5, or RAV4 hybrid. Until then, I will be supremely comfortable in the Forte. No regrets!
CHECKED IT OUT...LOVED IT AND PURCHACED IT !!
Just picked up my 2019 LXS model after owning a Ford Five Hundred for 14 years...Ford was good to me,but,this Forte is my forte😊
Dawn Huffman now that you’ve had it while, would you recommend it? I’m seriously considering purchasing the LXS for my daughter this week. TIA 😊
It's a damned nice car for the money! That's for sure. HK audio is a nice bonus. Seems like the Korean twins always have audio quality just a little more in mind than most lower end companies.
The premium sound speakers you get makes this a top pick over its competitors.
I traded in my Toyota Matrix for a 2018 Kia Forte5 - no complaints. I made a review video on my channel somewhere as well. I should make another one after 6 months (november)
One German guy can do so much for Kia group, money well-spent
Good review, this had been along the lines of what I was thinking comparing all of them. If you just spec out what you need to get an auto and active safety, the Forte is thousands less than the 3 or Civic (still waiting on Canadian pricing of the 2020 Corolla)
I'm 6' 3" and I test drove a Forte with the 10 way power driver's seat and was surprised how comfortable it was. Yes, the telescoping range on the steering wheel is better than average and I actually could get in a more comfortable driving position than I can with my Subaru Legacy Touring XT. I was not expecting that. I have a 2022 Forte GT-Line on order right now with both premium packages. It will have the 10 way power seat with lumbar (just like my Legacy), the Harman-Kardon sound system (just like my Legacy) and ventilated seats (again, just like my Legacy). All for $25,000. It also has every single safety feature and driver assist my Legacy does. Pretty incredible for the price.
I wonder why Toyota settles for "good enough".
It knows it's customers don't cross shop. They just buy Toyota. Close minded people. Toyota doesn't get new buyers, just existing aging buyers.
@@swanblake how are it's loyal customers closed minded? More like smart, all Toyota are better than Kias
Blake Swan True. and we found one replaying your comment lol.
I get the sense the reviewer's too fixated on the "sedan" part and is comparing it to the old lame-duck Corolla sedan and not the new hatchback. By this time next year the Corolla sedan and Forte hatchback should both be on their respective new generations.
Clous von are you kidding? Everything about this car is better than the corolla
Standard equipment: Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, forward collision avoidance assist, bluetooth, backup camera, 7 inch touch screen, dual zone climate control, USB ports/Aux ports. Crazy value for the money, and I generally hate CVT’s but this one isn’t half bad.
I got the basic trim manual transmission and I couldn’t be happier. My only complaint was that the sound system was pretty weak, but I just replaced the speakers and the head unit and I’m totally pleased with my ride.
I just bought one of these and they drive so nice. People complain a lot about the cvt transmission and stuff but if you drive the car it feels different. It’s not just a cvt it’s an ivt and as crazy at it sounds it makes a difference. Also people say the cvt is not reliable but who cares when it comes with a 10 year warranty.
How are the seats? Are they comfortable after a long road trip? I'm considering this car.
Gilbert Galvan seats are nice. Didn’t take it on a long trip yet but they are very comfortable. I got the lxs model which comes with cloth seats but they feel really nice. I imagine the leather seats are even more comfy.
I think auto makers are going a little crazy with top end offerings on entry level sedans but w/e. As long as they have more reasonably priced trims it's fine.
I just bought the base model 2019 Forte. You missed two major issues. The Forte get's 30mpg in city, 40 mpg on highway. You also did not mention the new enlarged trunk space. There is so much trunk space.
The price tag for the 2019 Kia Forte is $21,000. Not bad. 147hp. Has everything I don't want: no heated steering wheel, heated seats, no phone charger (without a charge cord) and mo sun roof.
A ton of car for a very reasonable price!
I think the Forte looks incredible. Hopefully it’ll get a proper 6 speed, the 1.6t, and an irs.
Overall I think the forte is a good car. It's has good looks , a modern interior , good enough space , and an easy to use infotainment (Could be the perfect college car). The only downside is the cvt (Hopefully they'll offer a manual or automatic for the sx next year).
hey jordan just fyi kia will be releasing a 1.6 litre turbo in this car early next year and it will come with either a 6 speed manual or the 7 speed dual clutch automatic. i myself not a cvt fan but it will be well worth the wait for the turbo
@@jbshp2011 Thanks 😁👍
Why a CVT transmission is not good? I am looking for a new car but i never had a car with a cvt transmission.
@@alykonate4086 Aly let me tell you why a cvt transmission is not good. its simply because they say they are good for improving fuel economy and i get that. its just that when you press down on the gas pedal you get that droning noise remember cvts do not have gears and depending on the auto manufacturer, they are not as reliable as to a regular automatic, now i could be wrong, but i would rather prefer an automatic over a cvt
CVT is great in terms of both cost and fuel saving at the expense of a less engaging feel. If you let me choose I would never pick the CVT, unless no car manufacturer makes auto gears anymore. Premium cars and performance cars never use CVT, that pretty much explains why.
So the forte stopped getting its looks from the optima now? Right now the optima is the only car that still has the original face from like 2009
Sam Lung 2011 or 12
Looks cool , specially the interior quality looks perfect
Thanks for a great review!
Had the 2014 ex. It was peppy, good breaks and handled well. The bad was, I never had a car blow out so many tires and ended up running run flats. I think it was rim design. Then ever decreased gas mileage and cold start issues due to carbon buildup...gdi engine problem. Just got a camry 2018 xle with 9000 miles for 24,000. Never looked back!
“The power to surprise” indeed!
Most drivers drive their cars at 8/10’s to the limit or sit in traffic ridden highways so they will appreciate the high content and value of this car plus it has a longer warranty than Honda or Mazda. Nice job Kia.
Mazda makes kia look like shit
Great review! No other car in it’s class offers ventilated seats, even in the 23k non- launch edition
Still driving my 2014 Kia Forte. Over 100k miles and NO problems. Gas and go. I wish Kia would redesign that ugly logo though.
Pro Tip: Plasti-dip the chrome trim around the front grille and the car will gain 10 horsepower ;)
Put a “Sport” badge on it for at least another 5 hp.
Looks surprisingly nice.
I’d still go with Mazda in this class though.
People don’t want to admit that CVTs are getting better. I’m not crazy about them but it’s neat to see how much they’re improving.
A tip for your subtitler, Mark says 'styling' at 25 something seconds in, not inaudible.
Great review Mark 👍
I test drove this Stinger. Manager is a friend and he lend me a loaner to keep for a weekend. After a weekend I can tell you these 2 things. Most annoying thing is front seats are uncomfortable. It feels like you are sitting on a bench. After about 20 mins of time in the seat you start feeling your back and hips are being annoyed. And lastly anybody who sat in the back seat complained loud road noise. And those are big no for me. I was considering this for my friend who is looking to commute about 50km one way to work. But instead went with 2019 Civic LX.
Is it because you have less meat on your buttocks? Lol
Why is it more expensive than Australia?
US$18500 versus A$20000.
I always thought cars are cheaper in the USA.
Not anymore ... :(
Why wouldn't you recommend the corolla as much as mazda 3, civic, and forte? does that include the new generation of corollas?
Pretty slow,when you put it into sport it wakes up nice.Looks good .Quiet.Base model seat ok
Thanks for the info. I'll take your word for it. It probably slipped by me
Magnifique voiture, dommage qu’elle n’est pas disponible chez nous.
I love kia cars but i think they needed a new design for their badge. I think the k logo would go along well.
The interior is classy
Ok, I just picked up the Forte LXS for 16300 out the door including the dealer doc fees, taxes, and tag. This mid-level car rides great and has the lane keep and collision avoidance and better-looking wheels than the base lx model and again no other compact sedan gives you 6ok bumper to bumper and 100k powertrain warranty except Hyundai and KIA. Not Honda, Toyota or Mazda. This new CVT doesn't sound like or drive like the conventional CVT
In Canada, the base manual transmission Kia Rio Hatchback with added A/C, cruise control, and heated front seats/steering wheel is priced HIGHER than the Kia Forte base model manual transmission, which already includes the above features and a more powerful engine. Sort of makes the Kia Rio Hatchback irrelevant.
Forte...the best looking of the 3. Really looks good in red.....
Bextar636 agree. Bought mine in red
Can you fold the infotainment monitor out of the way? Maybe inside the console? Or maybe take it out altogether?
No. Not an option.
Hey Mark, why would you take it over the Civic? Just curious..
I m considering M3 and Forte as well ... Anyway, this video helps me to decide :)
how's the body roll, that's important to me. it looks good, but how is it on twisty mountain roads
By far the best looking compact sedan. If only Toyota and Honda would take note
Not even close. New Civic looks better and new Corolla hatch looks better than both. And best in class has always been Mazda 3. This thing looks nothing like a stinger. Stinger is sleek and sexy with good proportions. This thing awkward and chubby.
Mazda 3
Lmao this looks so cheap compared to the civic, just looks like a face lifted corolla
Clous von ..Looks are very subjective. But this looks way more stylish and higher quality than the Civic. Just wait til you get in one. It's really good!
JJ Smith The Civic is really attractive too. But this Forte is really nice, inside and out.
These “compact” class cars are the same size as mid-sized sedans 10 years ago.
Filmed in Beaver, PA, correct?
I wish we could get this bad boy in Pakistan ❤
No you don't. It's awful.
I would buy a civic over the Forte but would definitely buy the Forte over the corolla any day. In a few years Kia’s and Hyundai’s will be the new kings of reliability.
Good looking car for its class. There is two things l don’t like about the car. The cvt and beam rear suspension.
Something gets to my mind. Do you think KIA will develop plug and play paddle shifters to be installed in this new KIA?
I think the 2019 Mazda3 will crush this and the rest of the competition when it's released. LA Auto Show can't come soon enough!
MrRhysespieces I got to see it in person at the show. That thing was gorgeous! Elegance that makes you think it’s a luxury car. And the C pillar on the hatch will take some getting used to but I’m sure it will grow on me when I see it on the road
Problem is , Mazda is Ford owned do quality is not good at all. I had one and will never buy a Mazda again.
@@michaellawrence3085 they're made and designed in Hiroshima.
Whatever
@@warz3bra245 doesn't matter where they are made. Its who calls the shot in what goes into the car. They drive great but dont last because of Ford short comings. They own most if the shares so they have a big say. Dont mix up drive quality with strength and general quality. Just because u might be a fan.
@@michaellawrence3085 you are Mistaken. Ford sold 20% of their stake in Mazda in 2008 and their remaining shares in Mazda in 2015.
Ford has nothing to do with Mazda anymore, they are designed and constructed at the factory in Hiroshima Japan.
I don't own a Mazda I've just lived in Hiroshima.
Perhaps read a little more than once a decade and you will be able to keep up.
How's the CVT holding up ?
Google it. CVTs exploding on owners after around 2000 miles of ownership or after 2-3 months
@@jamessicat damn they must of not made a good design then since I seen Nissan's and Honda's with CVT with 150k plus
@@Oaktwn16 Did you find what I was talking about? The website that shows it is from the NHTSA. When it comes to CVT, I think the ones you find in the Prius is the gold standard
OK.. now the reality check. I had a 2016 KIa Forte and here is what I experienced. The paint chipped off the strangest places; on top of the hood, on top of the trunk and even on top of the roof. I brought it in for warranty repair and it was 'denied'. They said it was not a 'defect' but rather an 'effect' of my driving. Hmm really? The rear windshield glass rattled terribly in mild cold weather (40 degrees) and the warranty was again denied. They told me "that is normal due to expansion and contraction". I told them my other cars do not do this and they said those cars are not normal. Hmmm really? Next the transmission developed a tiny leak. I brought it in for warranty and they said it wasn't bad enough 'yet' to warrant a repair. "Keep an eye on it they said". I said "won't this hurt the transmission?' They replied "let's see how it goes'. Okaaayyyy then. The tires got sidewall bubbles every two months ( I did purchase tire insurance) but it was such a hassle to chase after them to get my claim paid. (Tip: DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON TIRE INSURANCE). Yet my other car never had this problem. Very strange indeed. And finally the leather seats started to fade and get all wrinkled up within a couple of months of ownership. And yes the warranty was denied on that as well. Sooooooo....what is the value of America's 10 Year warranty if they do not honor it? Beats me! I had to sell the car within a year because all the paint was flaking off. As for Lemon Law, it is a drawn out hassle and not worth my time fighting a car company and the dealership over a crappy car. Never again!
What a fake comment 😎😎
Yes, yours is fake indeed.
As far as paint goes, this is a concern on many new cars these days, especially non luxury cars. The whole industry shifted to more environmentally (read - less durable) paint and paint processes a number of years ago. You'll notice complaints about paint quality on many brand and car fan forums. It isn't just Kia. Economy car / mainstream car paint has been pretty close to garbage for the last decade or so with a few exceptions.
I can't speak to your other issues.
it looks so nice
Kia's are improving but calling it King of the Compact Sedan Class is offset by the fact that Hyundai/Kia are the only vehicles that are catching on fire on occasion. Their long term reliability is still an issue with some engine failures that are not happening in Toyota - Honda - Mazda vehicles. Rough ride and not the best seats are still on going issues. Kia's are good but not yet at the top of the class.
You make a good point. It's hard to beat Toyota and Honda, but KIA is certainly improving in their quality by leaps and bounds. All KIA cars are thoroughly tested in Korea for many years and all the bugs are eliminated. It's a tested and proved car with great value!
wow rear vents??? i am liking it ...its competition vw jetta has no rear vents and when asked about this missing feature with jetta designer ..he said there is no market. I was like really?? yo dont have to make features in a car just what a market wants. Sometimes you put those features so that the market will be blown away by it. well done KIA!!!
I test drove one..still think the New Jetta is the best drive/power ratio of the segment with it's 1.4 litre turbo
When will the Optima get a redesign? It's time.
Mark does great review as always, but we didn't get a walk around on the car's exterior.
I'm waiting to see what the gt model will look like and hopefully 200 hp at least.
I like the looks of this car they have a good designer at Kia.
The designer used to work for Adui
Too bad those Launch Edition options are only available with that orange/red exterior color.
Did I miss the mpg ratings ?
I hate stiff ride quality....I don't drive to work on a race track...I drive on poorly maintained public roads with potholes that open up overnight. I like suspensions that prevent my spine from being pulverized into dust.. I don't care if the car is bouncy, I want a comfortable ride.
I got a kia forte 2013. Gear stocked to park, engine wont work anymore and dealer saying not part of the warranty given to me 10years/100k miles. A very bad car to buy.
Did we drive the same car? the Forte is so slow! It doesn't come close to a Honda Civic ext
Let me know when they offer turbo, present engine is a boat anchor, for Kia /Hyundai.
They do offer a Turbo the GT version
Really hope they are redesigning the optima with awd pleassssseee
Got a brand new 1 in 2018 $19990
Now near $30 k ???
Weird I heard another video that said the materials were too dull looking and cheap feeling....
Esta bellisimo, muy buen trabajo de kia
everyone keeps mistaking it as a CVT but it's actually a D-CVVT which is not referring to its transmission. It's still an automatic transmission.......
if you don't believe me, check www.kia.com/worldwide/vehicles/cerato-forte.do
No, the CVT is the continuous variable transmission. They call it IVT.
CVVT is continuous variable valve timing in the engine.
It has both.
It has a CVT
If the forte5 (with the 2.0 T) was also redesigned at the same time as the Forte I would have gotten it. However since that didn't happen I went with a civic hatch
Just because you do not drive an expensive car, doesn't mean you can't afford it. Why assume because someone is driving a "lower value" car, that they can't afford anything else?
drop to a lower ratio? You mean a higher one?
Should compare the Kia Forte with Subaru Impreza.
is that a Kia optima in Australia
Nice seeing wheel.
THE FRONT BUMPER IS OVERWROUGHT. THE REAR BUMPERS AREN'T MUCH TO LOOK AT EITHER. SEEMS TO BE A TREND TODAY OF OVER-DESIGNING THE BUMPERS.
TURN UP THE RADIO TO DROWN OUT THE NOISE?
I love this car ❤👍.
This is a regression for Kia. A CVT, a weaker engine, no IRS. I ragged on the Jetta for being cheaply made and lacking IRS but somehow the this Kia is even worse. Disappointment. Maybe I just expect too much from Kia given how good there products normally are. I guess buyers really don't like or care bout driving. Shame
I think Kia really just wanted to make a high quality, efficient car with this new Forte. Don't worry! They've already had spy shots of the "GT" version of this car here in Korea. It will be a sweet driver!
i live in jamaica and I'm 19yrs old. i will buy me a kia caldenza 2014 next year.. one of my goal is to own a rental deaership of kia vehicles only
Kendrick Palmer hope you achieve ur dream bro
First KIA went after the mid-sized sedan market with the optima, completely destroyed everyone in that market.
Then they released the stinger, and shit on BMW/Audi.
Now they are coming for the bread and butter of Toyota/Honda.
God help Porsche,Ferrari if they ever want to go after the super car market.
KIA already owns the combat SUV market with the Soul, the sorento is selling amazingly. if you're every other Car manufacturer, your looking very nervously at KIA. in just 7 years they went from a garbage brand, to being the most reliable cars on the market, and within another 10 years are going to most likely take honda place in terms of car sales in the US.
That being said they do need a new better looking badge. that's something I don't think anyone is going to disagree with.
I read that badge and think 'Killed In Action'
But stole interior from alfa romeo
I own a 2017 Elantra. They have a 2.0 Atkinson cycle variant of the Nu engine. I would stay away. Mine, and according to many reports the dealer told me they get, is they make a loud ticking/tapping noise when cold. It sounds like a diesel. Dealer reported Hyundai said it was normal because the metal shrinks in cold weather. I have never ever had a car do this in cold weather and I have had my fair share of bombs. I bought it used so am only covered up to 60000 miles. I said to Hyundai ok if this is so normal cover my car to the full 10 year 100000 mile warranty. They just keep giving me the run around. I mean if there is no issue with the car it would not cost them anything to give the full powertrain warranty. I have no confidence in the longevity of this engine and unfortunately it looks like they are putting these in more models. Also I think these engines are in the Kia Forte and other Kia models.
Are you putting in some shitty gas? My Corolla does that sometimes.
did anyone notice he face is really red? maybe he drank a little bit too much before the review? lol
He said it was a hot and muggy day.
No, the Civic is still King (for now). The upcoming Corolla sedan should be good too if the hatchback is any indication.
anasim The Cvic isn’t very good
Why? The Forte has Civic beat in almost the worthwhile categories.
The Civic is ugly, too much styling.
And look up oil dilution issues on 1.5 turbo Hondas.
The interior of this car looks almost identical to my 2018 Mazda 3 GT.
kia is garbage