Since the Kia Forte5 first hit the market in 2010 as a 2011 model, it’s made a name for itself as a spacious hatchback with a budget-friendly price tag. Stylish, reliable, and affordable, the 2018 Forte5 continues to live up to its stellar reputation. Find out why the new hot hatch is worth taking for a test drive.
Trim
The sporty Forte5 comes in three trim levels—LX, EX, and SX. With distinctive features, like LED positioning lights and available high-intensity discharge headlights, the five-door hatchback is both eye-catching and practical.
Whether you’re toting around the family or gearing up for the big game, you’ll find no shortage of cargo space in the Forte5. The 23.2 cubic feet of cargo space expands to 56.4 cubic feet with the 60/40-split rear seats folded. An extra-wide trunk opening and seats that fold flat make loading the Forte5 easy.
The base LX trim comes with keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity, and steering-wheel audio controls. Upgrade to the EX for heated front seats, a 7.0-inch touchscreen that connects with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and keyless ignition. The SX trim kicks things up a notch with auburn leather seat trim and orange stitching on the leather upholstery, a sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, alloy pedals, and 18-inch wheels.
Available options include rear heated seats, cooled driver seat, a sunroof, 17-inch wheels, navigation system, power-adjustable driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Power and Performance
The Forte5 base LX and EX trims come with a direct injection, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine. Paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the engine puts out 164 horsepower and 151 pound-foot of torque. Expect a fuel efficiency rating of 25 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway.
Check out the 1.6-liter, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine in the top-of-the-line SX trim that kicks out 201 horsepower and 195 pound-foot of torque. When paired with the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the SX gets 25 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Fuel economy decreases only slightly with the 6-speed automatic transmission, getting 23 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway. Thanks to the dual-clutch transmission in the SX trim, drivers can toggle between automatic and semi-automatic gear shifting, giving them more control over their ride.
Safety
Kia has stepped up the 2018 Forte5’s safety features. The advanced airbag system features high-tech sensors that help control how much the bags inflate based on the level of impact. Three-point seatbelts with over-the-lap and shoulder straps help hold every passenger firmly in place. Forte5’s available active safety systems include traction control, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, and hill-start assist control. Other available features like electronic brake-force distribution, anti-lock braking, brake assist, and tire-pressure monitoring system take safety to another level.
If you’re looking for a compact car with loads of cargo space, lots of great options, and top safety features, the 2018 Kia Forte5 has everything you need. The new hot hatch is ideal for everyone from the family on the go to the sports enthusiast or the city commuter.
“Photo” by DomAlberts licensed under Creative Commons CC0 | Cropped from original