Used 2014 Kia Forte for sale 

There was a time when buying a Kia meant a bargain price tag and questionable quality. Well, times have changed. Pricing for the Kia Forte is roughly in line with its competitors. At less than $17,000, the base Forte includes Bluetooth and USB connectivity, air conditioning, and split-folding rear seats. 

Alloy wheels and remote keyless entry are likely add-ons but what makes the asking price rear soar are primo options like leather seats, keyless entry with push-button start, a heated steering wheel, a ventilated driver’s seat, and heated rear seats. Spring for all the options and you’ll need to budget in excess of $25,000. 

You get two different engines under the hood of the Kia Forte depending on which model you buy. The base LX model gets a 1.8-liter multi-port injection engine that produces 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. If you opt for the EX model then you get bumped to a 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine that churns out 173 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. 

Transmission options for the base model include a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic transmission whereas the automatic transmission is the sole option for the 2.0-liter engine. Out on the road, the Forte holds its own. The 2.0-liter 173 horsepower engine will do what you need it to do. The F in the Forte is not for Fast and Furious. 

Due to its low curb weight, the Forte is quicker than the Ford Focus and sits on the top of the table while the latter rests below it. Although the Honda Civic is similarly powered like the Toyota Corolla, it has better acceleration and hence, better performance figures. Overall, the Forte is the best pick with good performance and price combination.

The Kia Forte does not provide fuel economy as its rivals. According to the EPA, the sedan returns 25 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway. Even the automatic transmission has the same city and combined estimated but only the highway figure drops by 1 mpg. 

The Ford Focus claims to be the most fuel-efficient vehicle in this competition. The Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic share more or less the same fuel figures while the Kia Forte sits on the last position of the table. 

Inside, Kia has swung the fit and finish needle from on par city to nearly premium. Cloth upholstery is standard on both models but the EX model can be upgraded to leather seats. The front seats have improved the comfort levels over the previous models and are now cushier. They are probably some of the best in the segment. Even the back seats have plenty of comforts, especially for a compact. 

Taller passengers need not worry as the Forte offers enough head and legroom in the front row. But, the legroom in the rear row can be irritating for six-footers. In a cup of hoarders, a traveling salesman, and overly-prepared vacationers, the Forte boasts a nearly 15 cubic feet trunk ranking it among the category’s roomiest. 

In the front row, all the rivals offer competitive head and legroom but things take a different turn at the back. The Toyota Corolla offers the best-in-class legroom of 41.4 inches whereas the Ford Focus offers the least. In terms of cargo volume, none of the rivals can beat Forte’s 14.9 cubic feet. Meanwhile, the Honda Civic fails to offer enough cargo space like its rivals. 

How intuitive is the 2014 Kia Forte’s infotainment system?

The UVO infotainment system in the Kia Forte is a comprehensive system. The 4.2-inch touchscreen display features functions like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. That among its other talents can use your Bluetooth-connected smartphone to automatically call 911 in the event of an airbag deployment.

The interface is smooth and all the menus are placed logically. The base model gets a 4-speaker stereo setup while the EX upgrades to two more speakers. Some of the other features include:

• HD radio
• Satellite radio
• AM/FM radio
• Audio auxiliary input
• Two 12V power outlets
• USB port
• Navigation system

A few years ago, Kia hired the guy who designed the Audi TT. He started with the nose to give Kia a distinctive grille and worked his way. The new Forte is one of the best-looking cars in the compact class and the image makeover for more than sheet metal deep. The headlamps give a very aggressive and modern look. 

The Forte also has a completely different profile because 2014 isn’t just a refresh of the existing Forte but it is a complete redesign. The car has grown overall and its wheelbase has also increased by 2 inches. That really pays dividends with the rear-seat room. You also get an all-new aggressive back on the Forte as well. The LX models sit on 15-inch alloys while the EX models get 16-inch alloys. 

At 182.6 inches, the Toyota Corolla is the longest car in its class. Also, it shares the same wheelbase of 106.3 inches with the Forte thereby, offering similar interior rooms. In terms of heaviness, the Ford Focus is the bulkiest ride in this segment with a curb weight of 2907 pounds. Some of the cool exterior features of the Forte include:

• Chrome door handles
• Chrome exhaust tips
• LED headlights
• LED fog lamps
• Power mirrors
• Black grille

In terms of safety, the new Kia Forte didn’t perform as well as its rivals. The Forte performed well in all the crash tests conducted by the IIHS except for one.

In the front overlap crash test, it earned a ‘Poor’ rating. NHTSA gave the sedan a four-star overall rating. Some of the available safety features include:

• Brake Assist
• Stability Control
• Traction Control
• Rearview Camera
• Hill Start Assist
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Six airbags

Spend a little time driving the current crop of compact cars and you’ll discover that there’s plenty of fun to be had but does anyone care? Maybe a subset of drivers but it really seems like what the majority wants are style, features, a nice warranty, and a good ride. If that’s the case then the Kia Forte should make a lot of compact car buyers very happy.