2011 Kia Forte Malaysia Reviews & Ratings, Expert Car Reviews on LIVE LIFE DRIVE

The 2011 Kia Forte may not be class-leading in any one area, but it performs well across the board and excels as a well-priced package. Get past the badge, and you will find an unbeatable package in the 2011 Kia Forte.

2011 Kia Forte quick specs

Body Style	Sedan
Class	Mid-size Family
Assembled	-

Engine Range	-
Fuel Options	-
Seating Capacity	5

2011 Kia Forte ratings (overall rating : 4/5.0)

Styling
Handling
Comfort
Quality + Reliability
Performance

Roominess
Running Costs
Value for Money
Equipment
Environment

Styling

The 2011 Kia Forte is the Korean automaker's best-looking car by a margin. To be sure, Kia does sell good-looking cars such as the Kia Cee'd overseas. But their local lineup has looked distinctly first-generation Korean—until now that is, with the Kia Forte, whose stylish front/rear ends, handsome detailing and neat overall profile give it modern looks which feel more European than Asian. Along with the Honda Civic, the 2011 Kia Forte is easily the looker of the segment.

Handling

The 2011 Kia Forte handles competently, certainly in a tauter manner than the current crop of Kia models. It corners with poise, exhibiting a sharp turn-in, minimal body roll and good grip levels. The chassis feels agile and fairly neutral, understeering when pushed to its limits. The steering feels meaty at lower speeds, but just does not weigh up sufficiently at higher speeds. Overall, while much better than its predecessor, the 2011 Kia Forte still lags some Japanese rivals when it comes to dynamics.

Comfort

The suspension setup may be firm, but most road imperfections are smoothened out with ease. Ultimately, however, the ride comfort would depend on whether it is the EX with 15" rims or the SX with 17" rims that you choose, the latter being the more uncomfortable. Bear in mind that the 17" rims generate noticeably more tyre roar, too. Highway cruising is a calm, relaxing affair thanks to the new six-speed automatic transmission and good cabin insulation. Ergonomics are faultless, with every control optimally situated. Ample steering/seating adjustments also ensure that finding the ideal driving position is a matter of ease.

Quality + Reliability

In a radical change from plasticky Kia interiors of old, the 2011 Kia Forte's interior oozes quality that would not be out of place among more expensive European offerings in the segment. Granted, hard plastics are not hard to find, but soft plastics and padded areas are present where it matters. Even more impressive are the excellent fit-and-finish, and how slick the switchgear operates. The engines and transmission have been largely carried over, and so should prove reliable. Kia, along with Hyundai, has had its reputation built around reliability, too.

Performance

With 122 bhp and 156 Nm, the 1.6-litre provides sufficient torque from low revs to ensure good drivability and brisk performance. The engine remains smooth under hard acceleration, too, but the engine soundtrack becomes loud and strained once past 4500 rpm. The new six-speed automatic transmission matches the engine well and shifts smoothly. Still, we would prefer a quicker response to kick-down. With 154 bhp and 194 Nm, the 2.0-litre serves up enough grunt for the more powerful Kia Forte variant to feel relatively effortless on the road, although you do have to contend with a harsher engine note at high revs.

Roominess

The 2011 Kia Forte is a mid-size sedan positioned against the likes of the Honda Civic and Nissan Sylphy, both of which lead the segment in terms of roominess thanks to their class-leading 2700 mm wheelbase. The 2011 Kia Forte's wheelbase is slightly shorter at 2650 mm, which translates into less rear legroom. Still, head-, leg- and shoulder-room is never lacking at the back, helped by an almost completely flat rear floor. To carry larger, longer items, the rear seats are 60:40 split-foldable.

Running Costs

Fuel economy is good, with a rating of 14.3 km/litre for the 1.6-litre and 11.0 km/litre for the 2.0-litre. Servicing and repair costs are competitive by segment standards. A major concern would however be the Kia Forte's resale value. Even as the new crop of Korean cars, namely Kia and Hyundai models, now boasts significantly better quality than before, it appears that the Korean car brand image has not progressed in tandem. The end result is that many prospective buyers are willing to skip the 2011 Kia Forte for Japanese alternatives.

Value for Money

The 2011 Kia Forte may not be class-leading in any one area, but it performs well across the board and excels as a well-priced package. For starters, the old Kia strategy of providing a long equipment list at bargain pricing still persists. And of course, the Kia Forte looks great and drives competently, in addition to being well-built and roomy. The question is one of brand image and resale values, both of which currently still pale in comparison to Japanese rivals'. Get past that, and you will find an unbeatable package in the 2011 Kia Forte.

Equipment

EX comes with 15" alloy wheels, radio/CD/MP3 audio system with USB/IPOD connectivity, keyless entry, steering wheel-mounted controls, 6-way and 4-way manually-adjustable driver's seat and front passenger's seat respectively, and fabric seats. Safety kit includes Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), dual front airbags, seat-belt pretensioners and active headsets for the front, and rear child-safety door locks. SX adds 17" wheels, chrome door handles, 6-disc CD changer, automatic air-conditioning, leather steering wheel/gear knob, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). 2.0 SX further adds leather seats and side/curtain airbags.

Environment

Like most modern engines, the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre can be considered efficient, with good fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions ratings. The new six-speed automatic transmission, which offers two more ratios than before, allows the 2011 Kia Forte to be even more economical and less polluting.

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2011 Kia Forte Review

2011 Kia Forte at a glance