Kia Forte SX 5-Door Hatchback - Short Take Road Test
It wasn’t so long ago that Kia was selling crummy Sephias and clunky Sportages to the double-coupon set. But the intervening years have proven that Kia and its parent company, Hyundai, are quick studies when it comes to meeting or exceeding industry standards. So when Kia benchmarks a car like the charismatic Mazda 3 five-door, as it seemingly did when designing its Forte hatchback, it’s no surprise when the result hits close to the mark. In this case, really close.
If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, we imagine Mazda was blushing the first time it saw the rear end of the 2011 Kia Forte five-door. With its forward-raked backlight, roof spoiler, triangular quarter-windows, and similar C-pillar treatment, the Forte hatch is stylistically reminiscent of the first-generation Mazda 3. Indeed, even as the Kia’s kicky rear end is attached to the straight sides and beveled mug of the Forte sedan, it says “Mazda” to us far louder than “Kia,” and we’re not sure that’s an accident. The Kia’s proportions seem even tidier than the Mazda’s, partly on account of the paring of more than seven inches of rear overhang from the Forte sedan’s silhouette.
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Introduction
Let's be clear right up front: The 2010 Kia Sportage is a good little
crossover SUV. The only problem is that the hyper-competitive compact crossover
segment is one of those places where being goo ...
Driving your vehicle
Before driving
Key positions
Starting the engine
Manual Transaxle
Automatic transaxle
Brake system
Cruise control system
Economical operation
Special driving conditions
Winter driving
Traile ...
Windows
(1) Driver’s door power window switch
(2) Front passenger’s door power window switch
(3) Rear door (left) power window switch
(4) Rear door (right) power window switch
(5) Window opening and ...