Small sedans are known for economical transportation, but an engaging back-road partner might not come to mind. But after a few miles in this sporty Kia Forte GT, it managed to make me smile. The turbocharged sedan was a temporary escape from our new reality.
The 201hp is plenty of power to easily merge with traffic and still have fun on back roads without getting you in too much trouble. The Forte GT is available with a manual or a quick-shifting dual clutch transmission that my test vehicle came with.
Just because this is a compact sedan does not mean it’s a stripped down commuter car. The tester came with heated and ventilated seats that where finished in leatherette that fooled me for the real thing. The seats hug you and do a good job of keeping you in place on those back roads.
The Forte GT has an adequate sized back seat and a trunk with plenty of space for most buyers. The exterior of the Kia Forte GT gets a special front and rear fascia to set it apart from other Forte models. There are even larger wheels and a tasteful spoiler on the trunk lid.
Cost: $22,290; as tested $26,445
MPG: 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway; I managed 29.9 mpg in 207 miles of mixed driving.
Safety: Blind-spot collision warning; collision & pedestrian avoidance; parking distance warning-reverse; rear cross traffic collision warning; driver attention warning; lane departure warning; lane keeping assist
Options: $2,200 GT2 package; $200 automatic climate control package; $200 GT 18″ summer tires; $95 cargo mat; $135 carpeted floor mats; $50 cargo net; $350 auto dimming mirror w/HomeLink & Compass
Things to know: For 2020, the Kia Forte adds a fun 201hp GT sedan that combines fun-to-drive car into a sensible compact sedan. It’s a worthy alternative to the popular Civic and Corolla.
Pros:
- 201 turbocharged HP turns the compact sedan into a fun machine
- Easy on the wallet price tag
- Forte GT comes nicely equipped with safety features
Cons:
- Ride not as smooth with larger 18″ wheels
- 7-speed dual clutch transmission acts different at lower speeds than normal automatic
- Back seat space less than some rivals
