The 2016 Kia Forte engine is a 2 liter DOHC D-CVVT MPI unit that produces a good 147 peak horsepower at 6200rpm and a maximum torque of 132 lb-ft. at 4500rpm. With a 6-speed automatic transmission and a front-wheel-drive layout, it sure is a lot of fun.
The motor offers some impressive refinement levels and its rev-happy nature will induce enough confidence in you to redline it occasionally. The 6-speed automatic unit is quite responsive and shifts seamlessly while overtaking or merging into fast-paced highway traffic.
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Models
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Kia Forte LX
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Toyota Corolla (SE)
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Mazda Mazda3 Sport
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Hyundai Elantra SE
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MSRP
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$17,600
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$20,445
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$18,895
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$18,150
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Engine
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2.0L I-4 DOHC D-CVVT MPI
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1.8L I-4 DOHC Dual VVT-i
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2.0L SKYACTIV-G DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder
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2.0L DOHC 16V 4-Cylinder D-CVVT GDI
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Transmission
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6-Speed Automatic
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CVT automatic
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6-Speed Automatic
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6-Speed Automatic
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Horsepower
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147 hp @ 6200 rpm
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128 bhp @ 4400 rpm
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155 bhp @ 6000 rpm
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147 @ 6200 rpm
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Torque
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132 lb-ft. @ 4500 rpm
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132 bhp @ 6000 rpm
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150 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
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132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
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The Toyota Corolla is the most underpowered sedan on the list but has a similar torque output to the Kia Forte. The Mazda3 is the most powerful and the sportiest one here but lacks the refinement of the Forte's motor. The Hyundai Elantra uses the same 2.0-liter motor as the Kia Forte hence its power figures are exactly identical too.
Acceleration
The Kia Forte does the 0-60 MPH run in 8.4 seconds making it a decently quick car among its rivals. The Toyota Corolla has the slowest time of 8.5 seconds which is just a tad slower than the Forte and the same is the case with its quarter-mile time as well. The Forte's 0-60mph time is decent enough for hassle-free city runs and quick highway overtaking maneuvers.
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Models
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Kia forte LX
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Toyota Corolla (SE)
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Mazda Mazda3 Sport
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Hyundai Elantra SE
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0-60 MPH
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8.4 sec
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8.5 sec
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7.1 sec
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8.1 sec
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Quarter mile
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16.5 sec
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17.0 sec
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15.6 sec
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16.8 sec
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Engine
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2.0L
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1.8L
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2.0L
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2.0L
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Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
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5.5
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5.7
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5.5
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5.3
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The Hyundai Elantra has identical motor and power figures on paper but is slightly quicker than the Kia Forte. The Mazda Mazda3 is the quickest car on the lot owing to its power and torque ratings, making it a truly fun-to-drive car in both city and highways.
Braking
The 2017 Kia Forte sedan is a 2800-pound vehicle with good brakes that help stop it from 70-0 MPH in 176 feet. It has 11-inch diameter brakes in the front and 10.3-inch brakes in the rear that work together in a good fashion to offer good braking performance.
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Model
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Kia Forte LX
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Toyota Corolla (SE)
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Mazda Mazda3 Sport
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Hyundai Elantra SE
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Brake Front (in.)
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11
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10.8
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11.02
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11
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Brake Rear (in.)
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10.3
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9
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10.43
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8.0
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Curb Weight (lbs.)
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2,804
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2,885
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2,967
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2,812
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70-0 MPH (ft.)
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176
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183
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173
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179
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Its rivals have higher curb weight which compels them to cover more distance before coming to a halt. However, the Mazda3 Sport has exceptional braking prowess which allows it to stop the quickest of the four owing to its biggest set of brakes among the rivals.
Ride And Handling
The ride and handling of the 2017 Kia Forte sedan are more of a mixed-bag experience. The ride quality is overall smooth but bad patches of the road can unsettle the sedan and the ride quality becomes harsh. The suspension is set up on the stiffer side and loses big time in front of its rivals’ ride quality. The steering is light and responsive but lacks feel and feedback. The sedan is stable at high speeds and winding roads but fails to keep the driver engaged at all times.
