A Little More Space, a Lot Better Access
Although more than a few C/D staffers would choose the Forte hatch over the sedan based on looks alone, increased cargo capacity and easier access to your stuff are in the pros column, too. The Forte five-door’s more capacious shape yields another 4.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats compared with the sedan’s 14.7-cubic-foot trunk, but the greater advantage is the hatchback itself, which of course allows the loading of bulky stuff that wouldn’t fit through a regular trunk opening. Also included are 60/40-split rear seatbacks and covered storage space beneath the cargo floor.
See also:
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The Kia Sportage is a compact four-door SUV offered in two trim levels, LX
and EX. Both two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive (which Kia calls 4WD) are
available. Standard features on the LX include ...
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 ...
DRIVING
You know what? It drives pretty well. On winding and hilly roads, the car’s
comparatively wide stance makes it feel solid, with little body roll. I drove
the “+”, “!”, and “sport” tr ...


