First Drive: 2010 Kia Forte
The Forte is technically the successor to the Spectra, but it is really so much more than that. This time, Kia decided to leave the help of the rocked-out Soul hamsters behind and instead concentrate on product, not marketing – though we do like the hamsters. The main competitors in the segment include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Mazda Mazda3 and when you add in the secondary targets of the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cobalt, it shows why anyone would need to strike hard when attempting to show up as a seriously dominant player that sells on more than just low prices.
See also:
Kia Magentis sedan range
A reputation for cheapness, low resale values, and doubts about durability
are all obstacles that the Korean brand must overcome if the now-factory-owned
importer is going to grow in Australia.
...
Handling: Capable but Not Quite There
As noted in our prior drives of the SX sedan, the Forte’s chassis isn’t tuned
for serenity. The hatchback’s MacPherson-strut front and torsion-beam rear
suspension, combined with 17-inch whe ...
Towing
If emergency towing is necessary,
we recommend having it done by an
authorized Kia dealer or a commercial
tow-truck service. Proper lifting
and towing procedures are necessary
to prevent damage ...