The Kia Forte was introduced here in 2008 as the Cerato Forte, serving as a replacement for the outgoing Cerato sedan. The mid-sized sedan from the Korean automaker received good response and soon after, it became a household name.
To make things better, its transmission underwent a makeover in 2011 and in came a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Of course, the fight for supremacy in the compact sedan segment is a serious affair and Kia decided to give the Cerato Forte a new lease of life in a bid to stay in the ring.
Completely redesigned or rather, all new, the third generation Forte will be sold locally under a new nameplate - Forte K3.
Our resident writer had some fun with it in the Middle East, and this time it was our turn to have a go at the car that is poised as Kia's next best seller.
Exterior
For the all new Forte K3, Kia's designers emphasised athleticism and dynamism with the signature 'Tiger Nose' grille.
Sweptback Xenon HID headlamps with LED eyebrows flank the trademark grille, conveying a bulging look that make the Forte K3 look like it's wide awake at all times.
Whereas the Cerato Forte had a relatively muscular hood and flared front fenders, the Forte K3 has an unmistakable cab-forward nose, which further improves visibility.
Standing at 4,560mm by 1,780mm by 1,445mm (L x W x H), the Forte K3 is longer by 30mm, 5mm wider and 15mm shorter in height than its predecessor.
In addition, the Forte K3's wheelbase has been extended by 50mm to 2,700mm - similar to its bigger SUV brethren, the Sorento. The sheet metal defining the Forte K3's revised dimensions is also more sculpted along the sides, lending character to a profile that was previously bland.
The overall shape of the Forte is also something that's worth noting, particularly the shaping along the vehicle's lower flanks, tapering the sheet metal inwards and giving the car a versatile look.
Over at the back end, more presence is given by the up-kicked fender line and trunk design, with its deep horizontal crease. Rounding up the car's handsome look are its beautiful new LED taillights - which look absolutely stunning when illuminated.
Interior
The new interior is a step forward in design and quality. All the ergonomic controls seem to be in the right position and a healthy helping of soft touch surfaces make this Kia a compelling case against its competitors.
Chrome accents and carbon fibre trims liven things up, adding some flair to the overall look of the car. A nicely laid out 4.2-inch TFT LCD touch screen in the centre of the dash doubles up as an entertainment system as well as a reverse camera display.
The cabin is comfortable, roomy and a great place to be. The driver benefits from a well-designed steering wheel and an excellent driving position. Just in front of the driver is a lovely colour instrument panel, with graphics seen in newer Kia models as well.
The new interior is a step forward in design and quality. All the ergonomic controls seem to be in the right position and a healthy helping of soft touch surfaces make this Kia a compelling case against its competitors.
Chrome accents and carbon fibre trims liven things up, adding some flair to the overall look of the car. A nicely laid out 4.2-inch TFT LCD touch screen in the centre of the dash doubles up as an entertainment system as well as a reverse camera display.
The cabin is comfortable, roomy and a great place to be. The driver benefits from a well-designed steering wheel and an excellent driving position. Just in front of the driver is a lovely colour instrument panel, with graphics seen in newer Kia models as well.
The new Forte K3 is also the first car in its class to offer heated front seats and a ventilated driver's seat, although we reckon the latter will work more appropriately in our local climate.
Seat comfort for both front and rear is well above average, thanks to thick, well-bolstered seats with plenty of room in the back. A well thought out interior with decent head and legroom for passengers as well as sufficient cargo space of 421 litres (with rear seats up) should make most people quite happy.
The Drive
Sharing the same platform with the Hyundai Elantra, many technical details are shared between the two corporate cousins, such as the 1.6-litre engine found under the hood.
The engine provides 128bhp and 157Nm of torque and allows the Forte K3 to reach the century mark in 11.6 seconds. Though much has changed over at the aesthetics and construction department, an updated drivetrain would have made the K3 one of the best in its segment.
Nonetheless, the six-speed automatic transmission provides seamless gear changes and is surprisingly responsive for downshifts.
On the roads, the Forte K3 proved to be surprisingly quiet, thanks to an aluminium bed plate located beneath the engine block that diminishes engine noise, while other noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) materials inside the doors reduce wind noise.
Equipped with FlexSteer like newer Kia siblings or cousins from Hyundai, the driver can adjust the steering effort via a three-mode (Comfort/Normal/Sport) button on the steering wheel.
Sharing the same platform with the Hyundai Elantra, many technical details are shared between the two corporate cousins, such as the 1.6-litre engine found under the hood.
The engine provides 128bhp and 157Nm of torque and allows the Forte K3 to reach the century mark in 11.6 seconds. Though much has changed over at the aesthetics and construction department, an updated drivetrain would have made the K3 one of the best in its segment.
Nonetheless, the six-speed automatic transmission provides seamless gear changes and is surprisingly responsive for downshifts.
On the roads, the Forte K3 proved to be surprisingly quiet, thanks to an aluminium bed plate located beneath the engine block that diminishes engine noise, while other noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) materials inside the doors reduce wind noise.
Equipped with FlexSteer like newer Kia siblings or cousins from Hyundai, the driver can adjust the steering effort via a three-mode (Comfort/Normal/Sport) button on the steering wheel.
Comfort has the lightest setup while our personal favourite - Normal - hits a sweet spot. However, we reckon Sport mode puts a little too much heft on the steering wheel.
The ride and handling in the Forte K3 strike a balance between cushy and firm. You feel confident around bends and the car has gotten better at absorbing imperfections on the road, staying comfortable on choppy highways or city streets, thanks to a retuned suspension and an extended wheelbase.
Conclusion
Indeed, Kia has succeeded in causing us to leave behind our expectations and look to the future. The Forte K3 is a stunner in its segment and the days of feeling embarrassed about driving a Korean car are far behind us.
The Forte K3 does just about everything right and may well be one of the smarter choices in the segment for most buyers.
Its classy look, upmarket and well-furnished interior as well as a solid package make it a highly liveable mid-sized car.
