Wednesday, June 10, 2020

2020 Kia Forte GT Post Road Show Test Drive: “Charming, Good-Looking and Competent”

The staff on duty at Cnet Roadshow have always cranked out auto journalism that is higher caliber than the rest, and here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, we have always looked forward to their insight and individuality. This past week they took on the 2020 Kia Forte GT as their new test drive subject, and immediately deemed it a “performance car without the performance car price”. The snappy GT is set apart from the rest of the Forte lineup with a much sharper design and is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that doles out 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
 
These power numbers are very similar to what is seen in the close competition of the Honda Civic Si. There is the choice of either a 6-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and an exhaust with a bit more volume and deeper tone. The GT receives a new multilink rear suspension, a replacement for the standard Forte's torsion-beam setup. Coming as standard features are Forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and a driver attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control are available for add-on.

The forte GT with the dual-clutch transmission nails down an EPA rating of 27 miles per gallon in the city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. On the inside, this review team gave high props to the red accents, soft texture pattern for the doors, and brushed aluminum along the dash. Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes allow for switching up of the driving experience, with Sport being the mode that greatly improves throttle response and adds some weight to the steering. The infotainment system is housed on an 8-inch touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a comprehensive and very easy-to-use layout.

Charging duties are handled by two USB-A ports and a 12-volt outlet up front, with the center console supplying an additional USB-A jack. Seats can be both heated and cooled, a feature you won't see in the competing Civic Si. In regard to just how fantastic drivers have thought the new Kia Stinger is, the Forte GT is not just a consolation prize: it is fun and stylish, offering some pretty intense and ignited thrills for a low price. When consulting JDPower.com  in regards to the Forte GT, they said that owners claim their favorite qualities about this car are exterior styling, fuel economy, interior design, driving dynamics, and awesome infotainment system.

Don’t forget to check out the amazing comfort level that you can attain from the 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and the availability of upper-end simulated Sofino leather. The GT inspires one to keep taking the scenic route instead of quickly turning in the direction of a freeway ramp, and offers enough amenities for the cost that should leave anyone considering it seriously, even if they feel swayed by the ever-popular crossover SUV!