Test Drive: Did Kia's Forte Get The Upper Hand On Honda's Civic

There's a lot to recommend the 2010 Kia Forte sedan. The EX midlevel test car was lively, even though powered by the base, 2-liter engine. Tuned to deliver a lot of scoot with only a little pedal. The brakes likewise did a lot for not much pedal push. And the steering. Straight ahead without twitching and tugging the wheel.

The leather seats. Sweet. No six-ways-from-Sunday lumbar supports, magic massage devices or other gadgets some automakers use to justify high prices. Credit the lack of furbelows for adding to Kia's comfort. Straightforward, nicely shaped, sufficiently supportive seats.

Overall, Forte didn't match the classy feel of the Honda Civic nor the inviting agility of the Ford Focus, two of its main rivals. But it felt roomier than either, and the manufacturers' specifications show that in most ways, it is.


2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Photo Gallery