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.
See also:
It looks as good as it drives
The basis of the 2009 Kia Magentis is a modern, dynamic, European-influenced
four-door saloon that successfully harmonises the flair of the new design face
of Kia which has been developed by Kia's ...
Key
Illuminated ignition switch
Whenever a front door is opened, the
ignition switch will be illuminated for your
convenience, provided the ignition switch
is not in the ON position. The light will ...
Introducing a new kind of dynamic aesthetics
The new Kia Sportage marks a dramatic shift in design direction for Kia's
compact SUV. Longer, lower and wider than the previous generation model, the new
Kia Sportage is immediately identifiable ...