2016 Kia Forte Hits the Right Notes, Honda Fit Falls Flat

Jan 5, 2016

Both Kia and Honda have squeezed a lot of value into their subcompact vehicles, but the 2016 Kia Forte has one key advantage over its rival, the Honda Fit – it’s actually fun to drive.

Now available at Kia dealers, the new Kia Forte offers more powerful engines, snappier performance, and a technology interface that doesn’t take an engineering degree to figure out, making it a superior vehicle to the Fit. While the Fit offers somewhat better fuel economy than the Forte and has an enviable amount of cargo space, the vehicle is deadly dull to drive and looks and feels more like an appliance than a vehicle.

Engines & Performance

Just because you’re driving a subcompact, you shouldn’t have to feel like you need to get out and push to get your car uphill. The Kia Forte offers several engine options for drivers, giving them the option to get a little more get up and go for their vehicle.

The Forte’s base engine is a 1.8 liter four cylinder engine that produces 145 horsepower and 130 lb. ft. of torque. The Forte also offers a 2.0 liter four cylinder that cranks out 173 horsepower and 154 lb. ft. of torque for its EX trim and a 1.6 liter four cylinder that generates 201 horsepower and 195 lb. ft. of torque for the SX versions of its Koupe and Forte5 models.

By comparison, the Honda Fit offers only a 1.5 liter four cylinder engine that creates 130 horsepower and 114 lb. ft. of torque.

Automotive journalists have said that the Forte provides a lively driving experience, outperforming many subcompacts.

Interior & Tech

The Kia Forte punches well above its weight in terms of interior quality and comfort. The Forte’s cabin is comfy and uses seating and upholstery commonly seen in more expensive vehicles. Kia does a great job with integrating technology in its vehicles. The touchscreen interface in the Forte has an intuitive set up and is easy to use, something that many vehicles can’t say about their infotainment systems.

The Fit offers good headroom and legroom, but its materials are a little on the cheap side. Also, the vehicle’s HondaLink infotainment system is a bit clunky and awkward to use, giving the Forte a clear advantage in this regard.

Warranty

For auto shoppers looking for a car they can depend on, the Kia Forte is the right choice. Kia has made huge strides in build quality in recent years and is now one of the top-performing brands in terms of reliability. The company recently topped J.D. Power and Associates initial quality standards, being outperformed only by Porsche. In addition, Kia has one of the best warranty plans in the automotive industry. The 2016 Kia Forte is covered by a 60 month, 60,000 mile basic warranty, and a 120 month, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. The Honda Fit has only a 36 month, 36,000 basic warranty, and a 60 month, 60,000 mile powertrain warranty.

Bill Barth Kia, in Mandan, ND strives to provide a comfortable and fun car-buying experience for consumers. With a huge selection of Kia cars, trucks, and SUVs, the Bill Barth Kia dealership is the place to go to find the best value for your dollar. To schedule a test drive, call 701-667-9999, or just visit Mandan auto dealers at Bill Barth Kia.