2013 Kia Forte

The 2013 model year of the Forte is the ​​last model year before a redesign. Thus, it is powered by the same old 156-horsepower four-cylinder engine that offers average performance for the class. It comes mated to a six-speed manual transmission which is standard, while a six-speed automatic is available. The other powertrain option is a peppier four-cylinder mill that generates 173 horsepower. This Kia goes after other affordable compact sedans such as the Hyundai Elantra Sedan and Toyota Corolla Sedan.

The 2013 Kia Forte is available in three different trim levels, namely LX, EX, and SX. The base trim comes with a six-speed manual transmission, and it uses the 156-horsepower four-cylinder engine. In terms of the standard features, the Forte does not offer much as the base LX trim feels quite spartan. However, functional features such as the satellite radio, a USB port, an auxiliary input jack, and Bluetooth are standard. More advanced features such as power windows, power door locks, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and remote keyless entry are offered only by the mid-level EX trim. The range-topping SX trim uses the more powerful engine and comes with a sport-tuned suspension, sport seats, and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

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While the range-topping SX trim is for those who want performance instead of comfort, it is the EX trim that offers the best value for your money. For $17,800, it gets you many modern-day features such as power windows, power door locks, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and remote keyless entry.

The 2013 Kia Forte comes with the same old 2.0 L DOHC 16 Valve four-cylinder engine that generates 156 horsepower and 144 ft-lbs of torque. It is paired to a six-speed manual transmission as standard, and six-speed automatic transmission is offered as an optional upgrade with the base trim. All the other trims come with a six-speed automatic transmission. The second engine option is the four-cylinder unit that generates 173 horsepower. The base engine is not very peppy but provides enough grunt to crawl around in the city. Over onto the highway, it gets noisy at high RPMs and feels quite unrefined. 

The 173-horsepower engine, which is available with the SX trim only, feels much smoother. However, the six-speed automatic transmission is not the quickest in the segment. This engine provides good power to crawl around the city as well as occasional cruising over the highway. It does not feel underpowered even under full load, and overtaking traffic over the highway is a breezy affair. The Forte is capable of reaching from zero to 60 mph in a rather quick 8.1 seconds. 

While the Toyota Corolla is slower than the Forte, it offers the maximum top speed of 140 miles. It is the Forte with its 173-horsepower engine which is the quickest to reach 60 mph from a standstill. The Toyota Corolla’s lowest torque output means that you have to keep changing gears at slow speeds if you opt for the manual transmission. When comparing the price tag, Hyundai is the most expensive option out of the three.

The Forte feels like a light and a zippy car, especially if you choose it for city use. While the Forte might not feel very peppy with its base engine, we expected it to be more fuel-efficient than its rivals. However, it is not the case here as it failed to impress us in terms of being pocket-friendly when it comes to fuel costs. It offers 24 MPG in the city, 34 MPG on the highway, and 29 MPG combined. Thus, the fuel economy figures that Forte provides might not attract price-conscious buyers.

In comparison, the Hyundai Elantra manages to squeeze out just a little bit more in terms of fuel efficiency, especially over the highway. Toyota Corolla with its 33 MPG of combined mileage sits at the very top in terms of fuel economy. When comparing the overall range, the Kia Forte lags behind all its competitors due to its small 12.8 gallons of fuel tank capacity.

The Kia Forte’s cabin can seat up to five people on board, but just like many other compact sedans, it is best for seating only up to four people. Stepping into the cabin is easy due to the wide-opening doors, but once you are inside, you will instantly realize that it is built on a budget. Where the interior of the Forte impresses the most is in terms of space. However, still, the cheap price tag comes with a lot of trade-offs in terms of interior. At the front as well as at the rear, the passengers get a lot of stretches out. The dashboard looks modern, but the cabin is full of hard plastics which let down the whole experience.

The overall visibility is impressive, and you get adequate storage space to store your knick-knacks. In terms of the seating comfort, the front seats offer adequate support for the lower back, but the under-thigh, as well as shoulder support, is a bit lacking. The same is the case with the rear bench as well which is not very suitable for undertaking long haul trips. Thus, the cabin of the Forte is more suitable for undertaking short city trips. What helps in matter of comfort is that the cushioning is neither too soft nor too hard, which makes it slightly easier to sit comfortably for long durations.

The 2013 Kia Forte offers class-leading boot space along with the Hyundai Elantra. It can store up to 6 to 8 carry-on suitcases, which are enough for storing luggage of up to five people. The Toyota Corolla, on the other hand, offers the smallest boot in its class. The Forte scores high in terms of cabin space but offers the most lackluster cabin in its class. Major interior features include-

• Keyless start
• Power steering
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Remote trunk release
• Adjustable steering wheel
• Remote Keyless Entry 
• Automatic Air Conditioning
• Driver Foot Rest
• Full Cloth Headliner
• Electrochromic rearview mirror
• Cruise control

How intuitive is the 2013 Kia Forte’s infotainment unit?

The infotainment system of the 2013 Kia Forte is easy to use and comes with a lot of useful features. It gets Bluetooth, Sirius satellite radio, and an auxiliary input jack for the audio system along with steering wheel controls and voice activation. If those features are not enough, the Technology Package brings navigation, SiriusXM, XMTraffic, automatic climate control, and push-button start. Kia’s brand new Kia’s UVO infotainment system will be featuring with the 2014 mode year, and thus we recommend you to wait for it if you want the best infotainment experience. Some of the standard infotainment features on the Kia Forte include:

• 3 Months Of Provided Satellite Radio Service
• Speed-Sensitive Volume Control
• USB Connection
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Voice Recognition
• 6 Total Speakers
• Auxiliary Audio
• 4-Speaker Audio system 

The exterior design of the Forte has not received a refresh for the 2013 model year. However, the car still does not look outdated and does well in terms of exterior, according to the class standards. At the front, the sleek headlamps give it a rather imposing look with the signature Kia grille. The chrome surrounding the front grille helps break the monotony of the design. At the rear, the horizontal taillamps with a boot spoiler give a bit of a sporty touch to the overall design. Overall the car still looks very simple, and some might even find it a bit boring in terms of looks.

In comparison, the Toyota Corolla is the longest but also has the shortest wheelbase here. The Hyundai Elantra Sedan offers the longest wheelbase which liberates more legroom on the inside. Still, it is Corolla that provides the best road presence in its class thanks to its wider footprint. The Kia Forte, on the other hand, is the second heaviest sedan in its class. Few major exterior features include-

• Rear Bumper Applique
• Rear Spoiler
• Wheel Locks
• Power Sunroof W/Tilt
• Power mirrors 
• Foglights
• Side mirrors with integrated turn signals (Optional)

In terms of safety, the 2013 Kia Forte’s crash test scores are average for the class. The base trim does not get much when we talk about the driver-assistance aids. However, features like the standard electronic stability control and LATCH connectors for child safety seats go a long way in helping the car feel safer. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has given the Forte Sedan 'Good' ratings in most crash tests that it performed. It is also named the Top Safety Pick by IIHS. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it four out of five stars overall and in all three crash-tests performed. Other salient safety features include:

• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Traction Control
• Anti Lock brakes
• Airbags
• Rearview camera 

The2013 Kia Forte is a cheap and practical compact family sedan that offers oodles of space and features. Due to its excellent reliability ratings, we would also recommend any buyer to look for an option in the used car market. With the best warranty package in the business of 10 years/100,000 miles, the Forte becomes one of the best cars to own if you want a fuss-free ownership experience. However, the poor quality of cabin materials, as well as a lower fuel economy in comparison to its rivals, make this Kia seem like a bit of a compromise in the name of affordability.