KIA Forte 5 2020

Body and cabin

All Kia Forte’s are identical from the front bumper to the B-pillar. The hatchback conversion chops 13 cm from the overall length, all from behind the rear wheels. Passengers therefore enjoy as much room in the Forte5 as in the sedan, or more since there is about 1 cm more head room in the back. Foot room is still tight under the front seats, but otherwise, the Forte5 is very accommodating.

The Kia Forte5 also features one of the roomiest trunks of the compact hatchback segment, thanks as much to its length as to its low floor. Though the sedan’s trunk is 11 cm longer, the five-door is the hands-down winner in terms of versatility thanks to the liftgate opening, which is twice as high, and the fold-flat rear seatbacks. On the other hand, the bench seat is much too low for proper thigh support for an adult.

Up front, the cloth seats are generally well shaped, but they could provide better lumbar support and their bottom cushions are rather short. Otherwise, the telescoping steering wheel, sliding armrest and well-positioned dead pedal ensure an excellent driving position.

The Forte5 comes with standard heated seats and steering wheel, wireless phone charger and a very well-designed 20.3 cm (8 in.) touch screen. Kia is still one of the best in the industry for its clear, easy-to-reach and logical controls. Being able to keep one’s eyes on the road as long as possible is priceless.

The new GT model adds a few more gadgets such as automatic climate control and navigation but is just as convivial. Imitation leather trim, red accents and a flat-bottomed, race-car type steering wheel add a more dynamic touch to the cabin without overdoing it.

Safety

Kia Canada took the excellent initiative of including driver assistance features on all 2020 Forte5’s. All come with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind-zone monitoring, rear cross traffic alert with automatic braking, automatic high beams and driver fatigue detection. The GT Limited adds pedestrian detection to the automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.

The Forte5 has not been tested for crashworthiness, but the sedan, which has the same structure, obtained an overall score of 4/5 in testing from the Unites States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) classes the sedan as a top safety pick in its segment.

The LED headlights equipping the Forte5 GT and EX+ sedans and up earned top scores from the Insurance Institute Highway for Safety. However, the halogen headlights on the LX and EX received its lowest rating (1/4) because of their inadequate overall visibility.

Mechanical overview

The underpinnings of the Kia Forte5 differ from those of Hyundai’s compact hatchback, the Elantra GT. While the latter is a clone of the European Hyundai i30, the Forte5 uses the same platform as the Forte and Elantra sedans, which adds 5 cm to the wheelbase compared to the Elantra GT. Otherwise, both structures are composed of more than 50 percent high-strength steel and include over 100 metres of structural adhesives, more solid than welds.

The Forte5 also stands apart from the Elantra GT for its base engine. Kia now installs a 2.0‑litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder under the hood of its compact, with or without a hatch. This engine develops 147 hp, or 14 hp less than the direct injection version of the Elantra GT (and of the old Forte5). Maximum torque is 132 lb‑ft, versus 150 lb‑ft as before.

On the other hand, the Kia has a combined fuel-economy rating of 7.1 L/100 km, or 15 percent less than its Hyundai cousin. It is due not only to the Atkinson engine cycle but also the continuously variable transmission (CVT), which is more energy efficient than the former conventional six-speed. Introduced a year ago in the Forte sedan, this CVT simulates up to eight gears in moderate acceleration to keep the engine from “sticking” at high RPMs for too long.

GT models bring back the 1.6‑litre turbo engine that powered the former-gen Forte5 SX. This direct-injection four-cylinder outputs 201 hp and 195 lb‑ft of torque, the latter between 1500 and 4500 RPMs. In both the sedan and hatchback, it is exclusively paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Drivers who want the added fun of a third pedal can opt for the Elantra GT N‑line, which still offers a manual gearbox with the same engine.

To support the sportier vocation of its new Forte GT’s, Kia equips them with a multi-link rear suspension in place of the other models’ rear torsion bar. The engineers also reduced the assistance of the electric power steering system to increase road feedback. In a similar vein, the GT gets 30.5 cm (12 in.) front discs rather than 28 cm (11 in.) ones. Lastly, the sporty models ride on 18‑in. wheels instead of the 16‑inchers on the Forte5 EX.

Driving impressions

We discovered the Kia Forte5 at a press launch on B.C.’s Vancouver Island. The first portion of our drive was at the wheel of the EX model, which will account for the majority of sales.

Without being spectacular, this compact proves very competent in all situations. The efficient drivetrain avoids the jerking common to certain CVT transmissions when simulating gearshifts during acceleration. You do, of course, have to push things a bit for more pickup or to maintain speed on long up-hill stretches, but at least the engine responds without excessive noise.

The precise steering system combines good straight-line stability on the highway with appropriate weighting in city driving. The stable, predictable road comportment inspires confidence, bolstered by the efficient driver assistance systems. Braking, too, is reassuring, with an easily modulated pedal.

GT treatment ups the ante considerably, in keeping with the sporty accents added here and there on the vehicle. The extra power of the turbo engine is delivered without delay, channeled by a lively, well-geared dual-clutch transmission. The pauses and slippage of Hyundai-Kia’s original dual-clutch gearboxes are a thing of the past; the group has clearly done its homework.

Kudos are also due for the well-tuned independent rear suspension; despite its 18‑in. wheels, the Forte5 GT seemed to ride more smoothly than the sedate EX. It is also much more enjoyable on a winding road, notably thanks to its weightier and more communicative steering.

All in all, we spent a pleasant afternoon behind the wheel of this Kia Forte GT sedan, and the GT hatchback version no doubt offers the same enjoyment along with superior versatility.