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Driving the Kia Forte was a pleasant and smooth experience.
The Forte comes in three trims: the base LX, the EX, and the SX. All vehicles are equipped with bluetooth, SIRIUS and Kia's famous ten year warranty as standard. Both the LX and the EX come available with a 2.0 liter engine that generates 156 hp while the SX gets the stronger 2.4 liter, 173 hp engine. The 2.0 liter engine is coupled with a 4-speed automatic while the 2.4 liter gets a five-speed. A six speed manual transmission is also available.
I test-drove the EX and rode shotgun in the SX and found their engines sufficient for around-the-town driving and highway speed. Engine noise was virtually non-existent at such speed and muted when revving for more power. We did find, though, power on the low side when going up mountain roads and making quick passes. (Course, we're spoiled by the Mazdaspeed3.)
Road noise was surprisingly quiet for a car at this class. As I previously stated, engine noise was minimal. Same with wind. Road surfaces contributed the most decibels though it never interfered with normal conversations. Enthusiasts like myself loved the suspension of the Kia Forte. While one felt road imperfections like potholes, the Forte always felt solid, and we heard nary a rattle or squeak from the chassis. And steering the Forte was a joy: the power-assisted rack-and-pinion system responded quickly to driver input.
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