Tests and Features

MONT-TREMBLANT, Quebec – The Forte hasn’t had it easy ever since it was introduced for the 2010 model year. At the time, it represented a good leap forward compared to the Spectra it replaced, with much-improved refinement, a more engaging drive and a more attractive design. However, competing in a …

The Car Guide will be getting behind the wheel of the Kia’s compact sedan, which receives major overhaul for the 2019 model year. Overall, the Forte is longer, higher and wider, and in addition to a new exterior design, the car receives a new cockpit that provides more rear-seat leg- …

As SUVs have become more popular, compacts have become less so, but they remain sought-after just the same, as evidenced by sales of the Civic, Elantra, Corolla and Mazda3. Given that they are relatively inexpensive, however, they are not exactly cash cows for manufacturers compared to other vehicle types. Still, …

With a steady job and regular paycheque, a sports car fan we know can finally buy his first-ever new car. Jean-Philippe has just landed his first job as a sales associate at a major firm and he has started looking at new cars with a few clear criteria in mind: …

At Kia, new product launches are strategically planned and as regular as clockwork. The brand came out with a new Forte sedan last year, and now they’re flaunting new versions of the two-door Koup and the Forte5 hatchback. This five-door model is particularly interesting, as it should theoretically handle as …

Competition among compact cars is fierce. It’s not just because this segment is extremely popular in Canada, but especially because there are just so many different quality compact models available. Sedans still garner the highest number of sales, followed by wagons, and then coupes. In fact, few manufacturers decide to …

Not only are compact cars increasingly popular in our market, but this segment is constantly evolving. To prove the point, we decided to assess—and compare—the seven most popular compacts. This time, we took a simpler approach than usual and tried to simulate a real vehicle purchase. Form and function The …

The Kia Forte was unveiled in 2009 as a 2010 model to replace the lifeless Spectra, but it never achieved the success that Kia was hoping for. In 2012, for example, it was outdone by its cousin/rival, the Hyundai Elantra. Indeed, the Elantra sold 50,950 units in Canada while the …

I test drove the Mazda3 Sport first, but I must admit that when I got behind the wheel of the Kia Forte5, there was something instantly familiar about it. It has a lot in common with the Mazda, which is high praise indeed. The Mazda3 Sport with the Convenience Package …

Not so long ago, Kia replaced the Spectra with a pretty sedan, the Forte. Since then and only since then have the words "pretty" and "Kia" been allowed in the same sentence. Next, the Korean brand launched the aptly named Forte Koup, a coupe derived from the sedan. And following …