With a glance at the fuel gauge, it seems as though the little peg might not have moved at all. Perhaps that shouldn’t be surprising with our test model’s fuel economy rating of 26-mpg in town and 36-mpg on the highway. Fuel bills decrease, smiles increase.
These numbers get a boost thanks to Kia’s EcoMinder fuel efficiency monitor. This system monitors throttle input and vehicle speed to determine when you are driving most efficiently. A small green indicator light marked “Eco” illuminates on the instrument cluster when the vehicle is travelling at its most efficient.
Powered by a modestly torquey 156-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder the Forte has adequate power under most conditions, but when you really punch it, it’s hard not to groan in disappointment. But let’s put on our practical thinking caps for a moment though; did we expect F1 style performance out of a compact sedan with a base price of $14,995? No. It would have been nice, but no.
Some buyers (younger males in particular) will appreciate the six-speed automatic transmission’s Sportmatic feature, allowing manual operation of the gears to eek out a bit more fun. Formerly a four-speed with an optional 5-speed, this new 6-speed auto-box is now standard on the EX trim.
