So I'm driving a 2019 Kia Forte this week...

[Callum]

The dealer put me in one while the Stinger get's some work done to it...

Totally off topic, but has anybody ever honked the horn on a 2019 Kia Forte? It appears they have removed the horn from a cruise ship. It's the loudest thing I have ever heard...

I honked at somebody this AM and scared myself, and them.

 

[Kazz]

Should be a very nice drive, for what it is. Looks great, too.

 

[Callum]

Should be a very nice drive, for what it is. Looks great, too.

The seating position is high, and the seats aren't that great. The leg support just isn't there. The seat bottom is horizontal, not slanted back like the Stinger. I feel like I am sliding forward all the time.

The suspension is extremely compliant and just handles rough pavement so much better than the Stinger. Certainly much different cars, but for $20K I'm blown away. It takes pot holes like they aren't there

Did I mention the horn?

 

[Waynerm002]

Might not have a lot of insulation up front, how does it drive for a compact sedan and how would you rate the noise level in the vehicle?

 

[forzanerazzurri]

If the horn is loud and akin to a cruise ships its a vast improvement over Fortes even a few years ago which had horns that were down right embarrassing to use (I know from experience).

 

[Callum]

Might not have a lot of insulation up front, how does it drive for a compact sedan and how would you rate the noise level in the vehicle?

The majority of my commute is stop and go so I haven't really gotten a fair chance at highway speed. However it seems extremely quiet, even without the acoustic glass. It drives very well to be honest, extremely nimble and very solid feeling. I clipped a pothole that normally makes me lift out of my seat and clench my teeth and this little Forte just skipped right through it. No drama. The Stinger feels like it's splitting the asphalt and much heavier, just a lot more weight and mass.

I was bummed to find out it was a basic stereo (coming from the HK in the Stinger) but it sounds amazing. It sounds like a branded system, not a non-brand car manufacture stereo. CarPlay is great as usual and the phone call quality is stunning.

Steering is where I find it to be lacking. It's numb, and I mean numb. Sport mode is twitchy with no feedback. Normal mode is just numb. There is zero feedback and it's strange. I don't expect much from EPS with column mounted motors but jeeeez...

CVT is well, a CVT but it feels more traditional. One of the better CVT's I've driven, it actually "shifts", and it does so quick

If I was looking for my first car, or a car for my kids (in which I do not have) this would certainly be on the top of the list for the money. I'm extremely pleased with what I have seen so far. It's got two thumbs up in my book! I can't really expect $52,000 Stinger stuff in a $20,000 Forte LX but hey, FWIW I'm really impressed.

 

[Jimmer]

My Stinger handles rough roads very well. Can barely tell I'm on a rough road. The new Forte is very nice for what it is. Looks sharp and has decent leg room for a compact car. I'll end up buying my daughter one in a few years.

 

[Callum]

My Stinger handles rough roads very well. Can barely tell I'm on a rough road. The new Forte is very nice for what it is. Looks sharp and has decent leg room for a compact car. I'll end up buying my daughter one in a few years.

The Stinger does indeed. Much better than my Optima. However the Forte is just that much lighter and is super compliant on rough roads. Stinger is a little sporter, thus a rougher ride. The larger tires don't help either, but you are correct on the handling rough roads well

 

[YEH]

The suspension is extremely compliant and just handles rough pavement so much better than the Stinger. Certainly much different cars, but for $20K I'm blown away. It takes pot holes like they aren't there

That's pretty amazing for a car w/ a beam set-up at the rear.

I was bummed to find out it was a basic stereo (coming from the HK in the Stinger) but it sounds amazing. It sounds like a branded system, not a non-brand car manufacture stereo. CarPlay is great as usual and the phone call quality is stunning.

H/K have a pretty good in-house audio system.

Steering is where I find it to be lacking. It's numb, and I mean numb. Sport mode is twitchy with no feedback. Normal mode is just numb. There is zero feedback and it's strange. I don't expect much from EPS with column mounted motors but jeeeez...

Hopefully, that gets addressed for the upcoming GT model - which gets the 1.6T, DCT and IRS.

The non-GT model is directed towards daily commuters who just want basic transport.

 

[Callum]

That's pretty amazing for a car w/ a beam set-up at the rear.

I only put about 25 miles today, mostly stop and go highway. Tonight will be a much better test and I take more backroads on the way home. So far it's pretty amazing, for a simpleton suspension setup

 

[KiaofMuncie]

The dealer put me in one while the Stinger get's some work done to it...

Totally off topic, but has anybody ever honked the horn on a 2019 Kia Forte? It appears they have removed the horn from a cruise ship. It's the loudest thing I have ever heard...

I honked at somebody this AM and scared myself, and them.

It is loud as hell!! It pushes Toyota's and Honda's out of the way!

 

[Waynerm002]

LOL! @miaofmuncie

Thanks Callum for the feedback on the car. I have seen them but haven't driven one yet to find out how they drive. I had a RIO (2018 version, new style so might be 2019) loaner when my Optima was in for service and it was a decent drive but not something I could live with on a daily basis at my age. For what it is, it was actually better than I expected it to be. Of course the Forte GT version should offer better driving feel and fun, so we will have to wait on that one.