2014 Forte EX 2,0L GDI – Long Term Road Test By Edmunds.com

There are plenty of choices out there for those looking to get into a compact sedan, which means that any new models are going to have to face some stiff competition.

That is the case for the 2014 Kia Forte EX, which might just make the competition that much tougher.

The Forte 4-door, which recently won MotorTrend’s compact car comparison, sports a new design, with the most obvious changes being its additional length and width.

It also comes with a revised suspension for better control and handling. It also gets a nice power boost thanks to the GDI direct-injection engine under the hood.

On paper, it would appear that the all new Forte EX 2,0L has everything it needs to be competitive in the crowded compact sedan segment, and that is something that will be tested by the good folks at Edmunds.com.

Edmunds’ Long Term Review

The goal of Edmunds.com is to add the 2014 Forte 4-dr sedan to their test fleet, with the goal of putting it through its paces for the course of a year.

One of the things that they seem particularly excited to test out is the UVO e-services, Kia’s infotainment/telematics system.

With that they will have acees to 911 connect on case of accidents, as well as entertainment apps like Pandora and Twitter.

Fuel Efficient 173 Horsepower 2,0L GDI Engine, 6-speed Automatic Gearbox

The base model comes equipped with the new 2.0-liter, gasoline direct-injected four-cylinder that’s hooked to a six-speed automatic transmission.

This is a engine that is unique to this model, delivering 173 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 154 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm.

That level of power puts it ahead of the likes of Civic (140 hp), Dodge Dart (160 hp) and Ford Focus (160 hp).

While it leads the pack in power, it does not sacrifice fuel economy to do so, returning 24 city/36 highway and 28 mpg combined.

Technology Package Adds Xenon Headlamps, Navigation, LED taillamps…

The Edmunds.com team are going with a few upgrades on the 2014 Kia Forte they are adding to their test fleet.

Inclusied in those upgrades are 17-inch wheels, the $2,600 Premium package that includes a sunroof, leather seats with power adjustability and ventilation for the driver, heated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, push-button start and entry and a heated steering wheel.

Also added is the $2,300 Technology Package, which adds xenon HID headlights, dual-zone climate control, navigation, LED taillights and a 4.2-inch color LCD in the instrument panel.

With all the additions, the 2013 Kia Forte EX being tested by Edmunds.com would have come in at $25,735 were it no provided by the manufacturer.

Rivals Of The New Kia Forte

The reason that Edmunds.com decided to add the Forte compact car to their fleet is because it is about to be added to a very tough vehicle segment.

Honda have made some excellent changes to their 2013 Civic, with the 2013 Ford Focus also one to contend with.

That’s not evene mentioning other vehicles in the segment like the Chevy Cruze and Hyundai Elantra.

A fully redesigned 2014 Toyotal Corolla is right around the corner, as is the all-new Mazda 3.

Edmunds will be looking for the Forte to live up to the high standard that Kia has set, whilst also finding a way to stand out in a buy segment.

After 20,000 miles, a few of those questions should be answered. [Source: Edmunds.com]

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