The Kia Forte is the South Korean carmaker’s entry to the local compact sedan segment. The nameplate started production in 2008 and was introduced in the Philippine automotive scene at the 2019 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS).
The current-gen Kia Forte features the modern Tiger Nose grille flanked by either projector-type halogens or bi-function LEDs. The range-topping variant comes with projector-type fog lamps, LED taillamps, and dual exhaust pipes with chrome coating.
Inside, Kia’s compact sedan comes with an instrument panel with a 3.5-inch digital display, an eight-inch infotainment screen, and depending on the variant, either a three-spoke urethane, a three-spoke leather, or a three-spoke leather with paddle shifters.
Under the hood is a 1.6-liter gasoline mill mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. The souped-up variant comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter powerplant mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with manual mode.
Safety-wise, the Kia Forte comes with ABS as standard while the upper trims get electronic stability control (ESC) and hill-start assist control (HAC).
Locally, the Kia Forte is offered in three variants: the 1.6 LX AT, 1.6 EX AT, and 1.6 Turbo GT AT. These variants are priced at P1,095,000, P1,195,000, and P1,650,000, respectively.
Not particularly sold on what the Kia Forte has to offer? Here are other similarly priced compact sedans that might pique your interest.
The Toyota Corolla Altis is one of Kia Forte’s toughest competitors. Toyota’s compact sedan comes with a Camry-esque grille gifted with either halogen projector or bi-beam LEDs, depending on the variant. On the other hand, the Toyota Corolla Altis comes with LED rear combination lamps across the board.
Customers can expect leather or fabric seats, a multi-functional steering wheel, and a segment-type, 4.2-inch, or a seven-inch multi-information display.
Power comes from a 1.6-liter gasoline engine mated to either a six-speed manual or a CVT. Toyota also offers a variant that packs a 1.8-liter hybrid powertrain mated to a CVT.
In terms of safety, all variants of the Toyota Corolla Altis come with ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control (VSC), and hill-start assist (HSA). The hybrid model comes with the Toyota Safety Sense which adds a pre-collision system (PCS), automatic high beam (AHB), lane tracing assist (LTA), lane departure alert (LDA), and dynamic radar cruise control (DRCC).
You can get the Toyota Corolla Altis in four variants: the 1.6 E MT (P1,014,000), the 1.6 G CVT (P1,130,000), the 1.6 V CVT (P1,230,000), and the 1.8 V Hybrid CVT (P1,610,000).
Another viable option is the Honda Civic. The Honda Civic dons a new look with its refreshed front grille that comes with either with halogen or LED headlamps. Across the board, it offers LED DRLs with the two upper trims getting LED headlamps. Likewise, all variants get LED taillamps.
Inside, the Honda Civic comes with either a three-spoke urethane or three-spoke leather steering wheel. Depending on the variant, you can also get either a seven-inch or nine-inch touchscreen audio.
The new Honda Civic gets its power from a respectable 1.5-liter gasoline mill mated to a CVT.
When it comes to safety, the Honda Civic comes with ABS, EBD, HSA, and Honda’s G-Force Control (G-Con) body structure among others.
The Hond Civic is currently offered in three variants: the S Turbo CVT Honda Sensing, the V Turbo CVT Honda Sensing, and the RS Turbo CVT Honda Sensing.
These compact sedans are priced at P1,290,000, P1,498,000, and P1,690,000 respectively.
Photos from Kia, Toyota, and Honda
Also read:
Which 2020 Kia Forte color is best for you?
The 3 flavors of the Kia Forte
2021 Kia Forte vs. the competition: Your other compact sedan options
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