An efficient compact is quietly improved and being offered at a great price. Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – December 25, 2019 2020 Kia Forte -- Design With the all-new CVT added to the Elantra lineup for the 2020 MY, we would be remiss not to mention that it was the all-new 3rd gen 2019 Forte sedan that received the newly designed and more efficient drivetrain first. The all-new 3rd gen received a longer hood and shorter rear deck lid. Feature lines in the hood and more modern tiger nose grille with black lower valance improves its forward-facing scowl. Around back, the rear bumper includes separate reverse and turn signal indicators located beneath available LED taillights. Because its length was increased by 3.2 inches, rear seat passengers were given a little more rear seat legroom while a large 15.3 cu. ft. trunk swallows up a lot more than many of its competitors. The standout was the introduction of a standard 8” central display with Android Auto and Apple Car Play. An optional Harman/Kardon 320W premium audio with eight-speakers and Clari-Fi round out the audio highlights. Stronger and more lighter seat frames provide more comfortable seating positions with increased lumbar support and denser seat foam for more long-distance drives in comfort. 2020 Kia Forte -- Chassis and Safety Regarding the structure and its crashworthiness, additional hot-stamped components and 54 percent Advanced High-Strength Steel comprise the unibody and Sheetmetal. The all-new Forte offers standard projection or available full LED headlights. The latter were good enough so that the 2020 Kia Forte earned an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick + rating, the institutes highest. NHTSA took issues with higher than normal G forces caused by the intrusion of the left rear door. During the side impact test, the interior door panel struck the torso of the rear passenger dummy, causing a high lower spine acceleration. High lower spine accelerations, in excess of 82 g's, indicate a higher likelihood of thoracic injury. The 2020 Kia Forte arrives with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) all standard. Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW) are available with the more expensive EX trim. Because body stiffness plays a major role in NVH performance, the 3rd gen Forte’ is 16 percent stiffer thanks in part to a newer subframe designed to improve lateral responsiveness, while steering feel was upgraded with less artificial steering feel and friction. The accelerator pedal tip-in was reworked to provide a smoother initial response. 2020 Kia Forte -- Under the Hood A 2nd gen 2.0L I4 provides the same 147 HP and 132 lb.-ft. of torque as the previous generation but was more heavily atkinsonized with a cooled EGR system that boosts efficiency under a larger variety of varying loads. The new engine was mated to the all-new available Intelligent Variable Transmission CVT that we will be driving for the first time just after the start of the new year. The combination is the first of a new line of efficient “Smart Stream” powertrains that will make their way into the Kia lineup going forward. Kia wrapped the Forte’s CVT in a sound-insulating cover to help quiet the tranny and in doing so, NVH levels in the Forte fell by an incredible 5dB. The 2020 Kia Forte delivers an EPA estimated 31/41/35 mpg city/highway/combined for the base FE and 29/40/34 mpg city/highway/combined in the LXS, S, and EX trims. 2020 Kia Forte – Trims and Pricing FE w/ the 6-speed MT: $17,790.00 FE w/the CVT: $18,690.00 LXS w/the CVT: $19,190.00 GT w/ the CVT: $20,390.00 EX w/ the CVT: $21,990.00 GT w/ the 1.6L GDI-T and DCT: $22,290.00 GT w/ the 1.6L GDI-T and 6-speed MT: $22,890.00 Destination and Handling adds $925.00 to the prices directly above. And the Hot Deal? While not available in all regions, I found this one just north of Chicago at a dealership I have purchase numerous Toyota’s from in the past. 2020 Kia Forte LXS Hot Deal and Equipment Conditional Rebates include $1,500 Kia Cash, $500 Holiday Cash, and $400 Military. This vehicle was sold sometime in the last 2-days but it provides a good starting point in search of your own Hot Deal. And gives me a reason to post some details on an often overlooked sharp looking compact with an efficient drivetrain.
Wow ! They still offer a 6MT ? ! ? Sure , it's a base model , but that's what I buy anyway. Very interesting.
Hi Edwin: It is as is the Elantra in SE trim but neither can be found on a dealership lot in America. Both are indeed strippers. Wayne
