2019 Kia Forte

Compact - sedan

​     It's finally that time.  Yes it's that time when you get a new Forte.  Or at least get an updated Forte.  Kia is at it again and this time they have updated the Forte sedan.  And yes we did say sedan.  As there are no other counterparts for the time being.  Let's just hope that maybe there will be a coupe or hatch model on the horizon.

    Up front Kia has brought over the face of the Stinger.  This is good as it is a world winner when it comes to style.  Sure it does have is drawbacks, but still the Stinger front end does work on the Forte. The one major drawback from this design is that there are no hood ports.  This could have helped bring up the cool factor in the new Forte.

   Another downside to this front end is that it tends to utilize bland plastic grille marks for its lower duct. Sure it works, but it could have worked on a hole different level.

​    Out back more of the Stinger has surfaced as the rear exhaust tips and fake brake ducts have emerged.  This has made the rear look a bit better, but we do say a bit lightly.  As the rear bumper cannot be saved from the new exhaust ports.  This bumper is well oversized and could use some liposuction.  It's nice to look at a big butt in other worlds, but not the car world.

​    The integrated plate port is a nice touch which helps bring the Forte up from their competitors.  But thats where this rear end stops.  The rear window is well racked but this could make it hard to see out the back.

    Along the side is where Kia needed to pay more attention, as it is really bland.  Sure it's a nice smooth surface for air to pass over, but truly a few character lines or a raised rear beltline could have done a bit better job.  Now add in those bland five-point rims and you have the makings of a bland side job.

    The aftermarket world is needed here to help out this model. But we do have to say that the wheel arches are well proportioned to this design.  Making it easy for the aftermarket world to perform some updates to the rest of the design.
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   Overall the new Forte is a step up from the last model, but it still feels long in the tooth.  A few more new additions could have helped make this a totally new design, not just a refresh made with Stinger parts.

Everett J.
#AutoLooks, @AutoLooks, AutoLooks.net

​​​SCORE: 52.98%
GRADE: C
RATING: AVERAGE
AUTOLOOKS RATING: 5.3 OUT OF 10

FRONT END: 50.73%
REAR END: 47.80%
SIDE: 57.39%
OVERALL APPEAL: 56.00%

BUY LIST APPROVED: MAYBE
RECOMMENDED TUNER: YES
TREND SETTER: NO
FUTURE CLASSIC: NO
Stock Value: Same
(STILL JUST A RUNNER UP)

Competition:
​Chevrolet Cavalier: 43.76%
Mazda 3: 56.79%
Volkswagen Jetta: 45.25%

See more Kia models at: www.kia.com