2016 Kia Forte

For the MY 2016, the Kia Forte sedan comes with minor alterations to its feature list. Keyless entry has now been made standard and complements the extensive list of specifications already on offer. While the 2016 Forte does feel happy-go-lucky, its detached handling and compromised performance on uneven terrains blotch its performance. It competes against the likes of the 2016 Honda Civic, 2016 Toyota Corolla, and its corporate cousin, the 2016 Hyundai Elantra.

With just two trim options available, the 2016 Kia Forte might feel low on choices, however, that is not the case. Amongst the trim levels, the compact sedan shares two engine and transmission options with a standard drivetrain. It gets priced at $15,990 for its base variant undercutting its competitors by a noticeable margin. 

We Recommend

We recommend opting for the 2016 Kia Forte EX amongst the trims. In addition to enhancing the existing feature load with improved specifications like power-folding mirrors, cruise control, and a rearview camera. The EX-trim provides as an option a 2.0L engine option that delivers higher power and performance and the 6-speed automatic transmission bestows higher refinement to the ride. 

The 2016 Kia Forte features two engine and transmission options that help it cater to a larger number of buyers in the market. The standard 1.8L inline-4 engine is made available only with the base-level LX trim and comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The more powerful engine is a 2.0L four-cylinder unit that is rated 154 hp and 173 lb.-ft. Available as standard with the EX and optional on the LX is a 6-speed automatic transmission with an active-eco system that has a higher level of sophistication. As standard, the power generated is transferred to the front wheels of the sedan, and with the absence of an AWD upgrade rough rides do feel like a problem.

The 2016 Kia Forte can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds, causing it to rank last among its segment. However, it picks up speed to emerge victorious in the quarter-mile run taking 16.2 seconds. While its handling is not the best in the segment, the engine and transmission units do feel responsive to inputs. However, the suspension system does lack adequate refinement on certain sections of the road.

Each sedan in the segment makes use of a similar powertrain setup and differs by the amount of power and torque they produce. Belonging to the same parent company, the 2016 Hyundai Elantra churns out similar outputs as the Kia. While the Honda Civic is the most powerful unit on the block and is rated at 158hp and 138lb.-ft of torque, the 2016 Corolla lurks at the bottom of the table.

The torquey 2016 Honda Civic also gains ascendancy in the acceleration test clocking 8.3 seconds and surprisingly, the Toyota takes 8.5 seconds. The 2016 Hyundai Elantra is the slowest in each test round and finds itself placed at the bottom of the table.

The 2016 Kia Forte is impressively efficient. It averages 25 MPG in the city, an affable 37 MPG on the highway, and has a combined mileage of 30 MPG, which is a notch below its competitors. However, it does feature the largest fuel tank in the segment that can hold 13.2-gallons and bestows on the sedan a total range of 330 and 488 miles in the city and on the highway.

In comparison with its direct competitors, Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota manage a similar combined efficiency of 31 MPG. While the 2016 Civic hosts the least voluminous tank of 12.4-gallons, it manages the highest range on the highway managing 496 miles. The 2016 Elantra and Corolla also manage a similar range as their competitors and each vehicle in the segment is differentiated from the other by the barest of margins.

The 2016 Kia Forte’s cabin is practical and upholds usefulness. However, it lacks the sophistication that most of its modern rivals possess. While the build quality is top-notch and dependable, some of the materials used feel inferior and the hard-touch plastics do make their way into the cabin. But the availability of a number of standard specifications alongside abundant storage space on the inside covers most of its flaws.

As standard, the Forte can seat five passengers and there is ample legroom available even for rear-seat occupants. While the 2016 Kia Forte LX’s features are adequate, the higher-placed EX trim adds specifications like ventilated seats, leather upholstery, and lumbar support. Irrespective of the trim you opt for, the seats are deeply padded and provide comfort even on long trips. However, we would advise avoiding road imperfections as they can cause a bearing on the comfort level.

While the 2016 Toyota Corolla manages best-in-class space for both front and rear-seat occupants, it loses out on essential cargo space. While the Hyundai Elantra has maximum space for front-seat passengers, it does cause a bearing on the legroom at the back. In terms of cargo capacity, the 2016 Honda Civic continues to lead in the segment at 15.1 cubic feet followed by the Kia and Hyundai that have similar space measuring 14.9 cubic feet.

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel 
• Cloth/Leather Upholstery
• Air Conditioning
• Front and Rear Cupholders

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2016 Kia Forte?

The infotainment system available with the 2016 Kia Forte is easy to use and intuitive. It comes standard with features like Bluetooth Connectivity and USB connection. Depending on the trim you opt for, optional packages can equip the LX and EX trim with 4.3” and 7-inch touchscreens for better performance. Some salient infotainment features include:

• 4-speaker audio system
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• Bluetooth Connection
• Smartphone Device Integration (optional)
• HD Radio (optional)
• Satellite Radio

The 2016 Kia Forte carries unchanged from the outgoing model. It still looks premium and the sophistication that it reeks of is evident in each inch of its design. It is adorned with chrome embellishments, particularly around the tiger-nose grille that is typical of the brand.

The headlamps look minimalistic and extend to the grille, looking as if they are a continuation of it. While we love the taillights, they bear an element of idiosyncrasy that may not be appreciated by all. The 2016 Kia Forte’s dimensions are similar to its class rivals; it is 179.5 inches long, 70.1 inches wide, and 56.3 inches tall. It has a total ground clearance of 5.3 inches, which is almost similar to the segment standard and it is also the heaviest vehicle at 2,804 lbs.

Each sedan in the segment shares a similar wheelbase of 106.3 inches, despite having differing dimensions. While the 2016 Toyota Corolla is the longest and tallest vehicle at 182.6 and 57.3 inches, the Honda Civic is the widest at 70.8 inches. The Hyundai Elantra is eerily similar in dimensions to its competitors, making it difficult to declare a certain winner in the aspect. However, in terms of design, the 2016 Elantra does feel old-fangled, while the 2016 Civic is the most handsome vehicle out of the lot.

Some of the salient exterior features include:

• Tiger nose front grille
• 15/17-inch alloy wheels
• Rear Spoiler 
• Optional Sun/moonroof

The 2016 Forte extends Kia’s idea of making luxuriant vehicles that do not compromise the safety of its passengers. It comes equipped with several standard safety specifications like an airbag system, ventilated and solid disc brakes at the front and rear, respectively, and it also gets ABS for improved performance. It scores the highest ratings by both NHTSA and IIHS.

Some standout safety specifications of the 2016 Kia Forte include:

• Brake Assist
• Traction and Stability Control
• Rearview Camera
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Child Seat Anchors
• Protection Package

The 2016 Kia Forte’s sublimity and subtleness alongside its affordability are its key strengths. While it is commodious and sophisticated, the compact sedan gets outdone by its rivals in some aspects. It feels slow-moving and lacks the efficiency its competitors vaunt. Its cabin does lack a certain amount of finesse in its build however, it is a practical setup that comes loaded with best-in-class comfort creatures and infotainment/safety specifications. While a buying decision could be tough, we recommend looking out for other options before finalizing the Kia Forte.