10Best Test Notes: 2010 Kia Forte / Kia Forte Koup – Cheaper Can be Better

We are sampling three flavors of Kia Forte on our 10Best evaluation: EX sedan, SX sedan, and SX Koup (that’s coupe in English rather than marketing speak). And we discovered that the nicest of the three in many ways is the base EX, which has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 156 horsepower, shy of the SX’s 173 hp from a 2.4-liter four. Sure, the EX was saddled with a four-speed automatic transmission, whereas the SX had a slick five speeder, but it was just a sweeter all-around package. The SX runs on bigger 17-inch wheels and tires and has a standard sport suspension, to the detriment of the ride quality. By contrast, the EX has a pleasing ride and yet corners neatly, with good steering and a nicely fluid chassis. Actually, if Kia had sent us an EX with a manual

transmission, the car would have earned more points, because the four-speed auto sucks the life out of its straightline performance. Still, the Forte is a contender in its class, and should have Toyota looking seriously at the next iteration of the Corolla, which is dull and suffers from a cheap-looking interior by comparison. I recently drove a Hyundai i30 in Europe—a renter—and that car impressed, too, a  much better all around vehicle than a Toyota Yaris. Our 10Best winners will be announced in our January 2010 issue. Please check for it on newsstands on December 5. Related posts: 10Best Test Notes: 2010 Kia Forte 2010 Kia Forte Koup – Auto Shows 2010 Kia Forte Koup – First Drive Review

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10Best Test Notes: 2010 Kia Forte / Kia Forte Koup – Cheaper Can be Better