2014 Kia Forte Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Designed to offer the utmost in fuel efficiency along with safety and drivability, the 2014 Kia Forte has already become a top seller in the United States. This model has quickly cemented itself near the top spot in total sales, and customer satisfaction is high. Few models in the economy class offer as much in terms of convenience features, overall driver and passenger safety, and performance.

What's New For 2014

The 2014 Kia Forte has undergone a complete redesign, inside and out. The exterior has a new look, one that is sleeker and more aerodynamic-appearing. The front end has more of a downward swoop and the grille is much more appealing. The vehicle is now wider than in past years, and the result is more interior space. The car also sits a bit lower to the road surface, and those who give it a test drive will notice the difference in handling as compared to last year's offering. All three trims from the previous model year are still available.

Ten Reasons To Buy A 2014 Kia Forte

1) Fuel Efficiency. This model gets around 37 highway miles per gallon, near the top in its vehicle segment. The inline 4-cylinder engine doesn't exactly pack a wallop in terms of power, but the 148 horsepower it does provide is enough to get the car up to freeway speeds in a reasonable amount of time. The EX trim comes with a slightly larger and much more peppy 2.0-liter engine that delivers a total of 173 horsepower. There is also a turbocharged 1.6-liter option on the Koup and Forte5.

2) Affordable Price Tag. The 2014 Kia Forte base trim comes with a sticker price of around $16,700, a good deal when compared to the average price of even the most modestly equipped compacts. Considering the long list of convenience and safety features, this is certainly welcome news. The uplevel trims will lighten the wallet a bit further, however. The EX costs an additional $3100.

3) Unbeatable Warranty. Like all Kia models, the 2014 Forte comes with a 10-year powertrain warranty. The bumper-to-bumper coverage is exceptional, and most Kia dealers have a full service department that honors all factory warranty coverage. This primary coverage includes troubleshooting and repair on all active and passive safety features as well as rust and corrosion coverage.

4) A Roomy Interior. The first thing one might think about with any compact sedan or 5-door is the cramped interior. In fact, the 2014 Kia Forte has plenty of passenger room and a snug cargo compartment. The redesign which situates the cabin lower to the road has not complicated passenger comfort. The model has been widened out to compensate, and the result is a very spacious interior. The instrumentation has been slightly rearranged on this year's model, but drivers will find it very easy to navigate through the controls.

5) Base Trim Amenities. Not many economy sedans come in a base trim offering what the 2014 Kia Forte does. The LX includes standard air conditioning, tilt-telescopic steering column, Bluetooth connectivity, and 15-inch alloy wheels. There are plenty of input jacks including USB and iPod. Several options exist on the base trim that are not offered on some of the more expensive competing models. These include a nicer interior trim, side mirror repeating turn signals, and larger wheels.

The uplevel EX features such niceties as the larger engine, running lights, and chrome accents. The Uvo voice-activated infotainment system is standard on this uplevel trim.

6) Choice Of Transmissions. Not many base trim compacts offer the choice of manual or automatic transmission. That is exactly what one gets to choose from when purchasing a 2014 Kia Forte. Both transmission types are 6-speed. The EX hatchback and sedan do not offer manual transmission, but it is available on the uplevel coupe.

Drivers are very impressed with the acceleration regardless of the transmission type. The 2014 Forte goes from zero to 60 mph in just about 8.1 seconds, which is one of the fastest times in its vehicle segment. Even fully loaded, the car speeds up nicely when traveling uphill on freeway entrance ramps.

7) Advanced Safety Features. All 2014 Kia Forte trims come with a full complement of airbags, stability and traction control, and anti-lock brakes. Braking distance is very short - less than 125 feet - for the EX trim, making this one of the quickest-stopping vehicles in its class. Forte has earned a 5-star safety rating for driver protection.

8) Three-Mode Steering Adjustment. The uplevel EX trim includes an optional push-button control on the steering wheel that adjusts the effort required to turn the car. Some drivers like a stiffer control, but many competing models do not offer this feature.

9) Additional Options. Optional equipment for the EX trim includes a power sunroof, projector beam headlights, and perimeter approach lighting. Very nice 17-inch alloy wheels are also available on the EX. This is certainly impressive considering the affordable price tag on the uplevel version.

10) Accessory Packages Available. The 2014 Kia Forte comes with a long list of accessories not available on some of the competing models in its segment, at least not for the price paid. Buyers can choose to include cargo mats and cargo nets, sunroof deflector, and remote start system.

Reasons You May Not Want To Buy A 2014 Kia Forte

1) Poor Overall Safety Ratings. Although this models scores high for driver protection, the front- and side-impact test results say something quite different when it comes to passenger safety.

2) Vibration Problems. Some drivers simply don't care about this too much, but the Forte is rather noisy when traveling over uncertain terrain. The suspension system isn't the absolute apex.

3) Few Trim Options. There are only the base trim and EX trim sedan, Koup version, and hatchback. On the plus side, however, the number of options for each trim is extensive.

Conclusion

Overall, this is a nicely equipped vehicle for those wanting something in the high-resale category for a compact. The 2014 Kia Forte is expected to hold its value well over the years, and owners will be impressed by the overall drivability and handling. Some competing models from Ford, Honda, and Volkswagen offer even more amenities, but these options will cost buyers significantly.