All of the 2019 Forte models come with a 2.0- liter four-cylinder engine which produces 147 horsepower and 132-pound feet of torque. The base variant comes with a six-speed manual transmission while a CVT is optional. All the upper trim levels come with the CVT as standard.
Known by the name "Intelligent Variable Transmission" (IVT), this is Kia's first attempt at a new type of CVT and developed by in-house Kia for a production car. This gearbox uses a chain-type belt instead of a push belt to reduce the rubber-band effect. Kia added more adhesive and thicker glass for the front side windows to curb noise, vibration, and harshness. The shifts are seamless and power is evenly distributed over the whole rev range.
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Models
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2019 Kia Forte
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2019 Nissan Sentra Sedan
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2019 Volkswagen Jetta S Sedan
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2019 Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE
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MSRP
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$17,790 |
$17,790
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$20,240
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$18,100
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Engine
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2.0 liter inline 4
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1.8 L Regular Unleaded I-4
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1.4L Turbo Inline 4
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2.0 L inline-four
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Transmission
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CVT |
6-Speed Manual
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8 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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130hp @ 6000rpm
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147hp@5000 rpm
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147hp @ 6200 rpm
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Torque
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132 lb-ft
3500 rpm
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128lb.-ft @ 3600rpm
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184lb.-ft@1400 rpm
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132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm
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The Nissan Sentra is the most underpowered sedan on the list with only 130 horsepower and 128lb-ft of torque on tap. Apart from that, both the Volkswagen Jetta and the Hyundai Elantra have similar power output to the Kia Forte but the Jetta rules in terms of torque output resulting in a zippy performance.
Acceleration
The Kia Forte's compact 2.0L motor will give you a pleasant surprise with its strong power delivery courtesy of the well-engineered IVT transmission. The 6-speed manual transmission on the base trim is also an easy-shifting one, allowing to utilize all the horsepower efficiently, and hits 60 mph in just 9.5 seconds. The acceleration is linear and it takes 16.2 seconds to cover the quarter-mile mark.
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Models
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2019 Kia Forte
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2019 Nissan Sentra Sedan
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2019 Volkswagen Jetta S Sedan
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2019 Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE
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0-60 MPH(sec)
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9.5
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9.5
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7.7
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8.3
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Quarter mile(sec)
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16.2
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17.4
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16
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16.4
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Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
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8.2
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5.9
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5.2
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10.2
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Curb Weight (lb..)
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2668
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2866
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2888
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2767
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The Volkswagen Jetta is the quickest one here to cover the 0-60mph mark owing to its superior torque output but it fades away quickly even before the sedan is able to hit the quarter-mile mark. The Kia Forte is the quickest one to complete the quarter-mile distance only being marginally better than the Elantra.
Ride and Handling
Affordable compact sedans are not supposed to offer a very comfortable ride yet nowadays the vehicles are breaking those concepts and have brought a significant change in the ride quality one might expect from an affordable sedan. The ride quality provided by the MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam in the rear are firm but comfortable as the speed builds up, and the car feels stable at highway speeds, yet willing to change directions when the road starts to bend. The electric-assist steering communicates well what the front tires are doing, and the CVT does a good job of mimicking a traditional 6-speed automatic. In fact, most people would be hard-pressed to identify the Forte's transmission as a CVT, thanks in part to what Kia calls "adaptive style shift logic." There are three electronic drive modes: Normal, Smart, and Sport. In Smart, the new Forte switches between Normal and Sport, depending on how the car is being driven.
In short, the new Kia Forte is a nimble compact sedan, and its well-tuned steering, gas, and brake inputs make for a pleasant driving experience.
Braking
The 2019 Forte's brakes are firm with short pedal travel. They are easy to modulate in stop-and-go traffic and also on tight curves. The 125 -foot stopping distance from 60 to standstill is above average. They stay consistent and aspire confidence while sudden stops.
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Models
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2019 Kia Forte
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2019 Nissan Sentra Sedan
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2019 Volkswagen Jetta S Sedan
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2019 Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE
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Brake Front (in.)
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11.6
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11
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11.5
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10.3
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Brake Rear (in.)
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10.2
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9
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10.8
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9.7
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60-0 MPH (ft.)
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125
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122
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127
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130
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The Nissan Sentra has the best braking performance among the competitors on the list closely followed by the Kia Forte. The Volkswagen Jetta has a decent braking distance of 127ft while the Hyundai Elantra takes the longest distance of 130ft to come to a screeching halt.
Also read:
- Kia Forte specifications
- Click here to know about the new 2021 Kia Forte sedan
