The 2019 Kia Forte has a stylish interior with an optional 8-inch touchscreen. Chattanooga compact sedan buyers have several nice options: There's the all-new Toyota Corolla to consider and the slick-and- stylish Honda Civic to ponder.
We would like to nominate another candidate for your "must-drive" list, the all-new third-generation Kia Forte. It may not have the Corolla's pedigree or the Civic's driving dynamics, but it has its own virtues that may shine brighter in your garage. If you value sophisticated styling, top fuel economy and generous warranty terms, the new Forte is hard to beat.
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Looking for a used or new car?
Fortes are available locally at Kia of Chattanooga on Chapman Road, which listed 23 of the 2019 compacts in digital inventory late this week - including at least one EX model similar to our tester, which was provided to us by the manufacturer for a one-week trial.
WHAT IS IT?
The 2019 Kia Forte is the Korean carmaker's best-selling vehicle. A four-door compact, the 2019 Forte comfortably seats four passengers (or five in a pinch). It shares some styling cues with the red-hot Kia Stinger sports sedan, although its mechanicals (which include a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine making 147 horsepower) are much more pedestrian.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
An entry-level Kia Forte with manual transmission sells for $18,585. Our top-trim tester, which includes a $3,410 Launch Edition package, sells for $26,515. The Launch Edition includes a razor sharp navigation system, adaptive cruise control for road trips and long commutes, a pedestrian detection safety system and 10-way power front seats.
WHAT WE LIKED
Our Forte report card gives the model high marks for its handsome silhouette, 40 mpg highway fuel economy, sharp touchscreen graphics, heated-and-cooled front seats, digital speedometer and sharp-looking split-spoke wheels.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
The Kia's sleek profile pinches outward visibility some, the engine power is merely adequate and the cup holders are on the small side.
STYLING
The new, 2019 Forte is three inches longer than the previous model and the added length adds to its sporty stance. The Forte has swept headlights and a fastback profile like the Stinger. The exterior look is minimalist but crisp. The cockpit features leatherette seat covers and an eight-inch infotainment screen.
WHY IT'S GOOD FOR CHATTANOOGANS
It will appeal to a wide swath of entry-level buyers, and represents a good value for people who might want to keep a vehicle for a decade or more.
BOTTOM LINE
Improvements to the Forte have kept it in the top tier of compact sedans. It offers great build quality and hybrid-level fuel economy.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.