So you can either buy a 2022 base 2.0 Honda Civic hatch for $33k after tax, or the top of the line Forte 5 Limited for the same money? This is the bomb.
I have the sedan GT Limited and I would have gone with the hatchback because it looks so good but i did not want to lose the HK sound system which is only available on the sedan version. Both Forte GT and the Forte5 GT are rare underrated cars. Bang for buck fun and under the radar, yeah there is no LSD but it only has 201 hp and theyre light vehicles so torque steer is really really almost non existent even under spirited driving. If youre cross shopping between an Si and GTi, this is a few thousand dollars cheaper and its the same output as the Si!
I genuinely don’t think that’s the case - especially compared to past Kia models, including previous Fortes. It’s on the same level as a similarly priced Corolla. For a sub-$30,000 sporty compact car, the interior is easily what it should be (with the exception of the lack of satellite radio with this manual transmission). Cheers!
You auto journalist all seem to prefer old school manual transmissions for some reason. You obviously don't have to drive in rush hour traffic in Toronto. Shifting gears for an hour each day is not fun.
I've lived in Toronto (and now Port Credit) for years, and yes, sometimes it's a pain; but both of my personal cars have three pedals, and I'd gladly deal with it stop-and-go traffic for the rewards outside of it. Cheers!
Most auto journalists like to drive the car, they don’t go in rush hour traffic as I rarely do and manuals make driving way more fun. Worth the hassle in traffic. If you’re constantly in traffic all day then no car will be fun
I'm 54 years old. I have a 2021 Forte5 GT manual and I commute over 100kms per day through the GTA traffic. I will never stop buying manual trans cars ever. Actually driving a manual in GTA traffic is quite simple. Use your engine idle torque to slowly pull the car at a steady crawling speed so you don't have to engage the clutch ever 10 seconds. Time the gaps and the crawling speed of the traffic around you. Make a mental game out of it. Dab the throttle slightly whenever you think the gap in front of you is too big and somebody might try to grab it. If you are constantly having to hit the brakes and engage the clutch then try reading the traffic better. Save the manuals for as long as we can. If I wanted to slap paddles I'll go play a video game.
Finally a review about the forte 5 2021 GT manual! rare review. thanks!
Glad you liked it!
It's hard to find reviews for the manual. Was looking for exactly this review. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
So you can either buy a 2022 base 2.0 Honda Civic hatch for $33k after tax, or the top of the line Forte 5 Limited for the same money? This is the bomb.
Very pleasant review. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I have the sedan GT Limited and I would have gone with the hatchback because it looks so good but i did not want to lose the HK sound system which is only available on the sedan version. Both Forte GT and the Forte5 GT are rare underrated cars. Bang for buck fun and under the radar, yeah there is no LSD but it only has 201 hp and theyre light vehicles so torque steer is really really almost non existent even under spirited driving. If youre cross shopping between an Si and GTi, this is a few thousand dollars cheaper and its the same output as the Si!
Thanks for the review.
We do not have Kia Hatchback in US. It looks good to my taste.
Manual is a blast. 👍
Thanks for watching!
How would you compare it to a 2021 corolla hatchback?
What about back seat occupants? Any vents or USB ports back there?
Vents, yes (they’re in the back of the console instead of under the front seats); but no USB ports in the back.
I wish it had mo red
I was looking at this model, I'm afraid the interior might be too cheap for this trim level.
I genuinely don’t think that’s the case - especially compared to past Kia models, including previous Fortes. It’s on the same level as a similarly priced Corolla. For a sub-$30,000 sporty compact car, the interior is easily what it should be (with the exception of the lack of satellite radio with this manual transmission). Cheers!
Heated steering wheel on the Forte... my applaud to Kia of Canada!
Shame on Kia of US. We do not have that. Warming my hands by rubbing my balls. 😪🤣
You auto journalist all seem to prefer old school manual transmissions for some reason. You obviously don't have to drive in rush hour traffic in Toronto. Shifting gears for an hour each day is not fun.
I've lived in Toronto (and now Port Credit) for years, and yes, sometimes it's a pain; but both of my personal cars have three pedals, and I'd gladly deal with it stop-and-go traffic for the rewards outside of it. Cheers!
Most auto journalists like to drive the car, they don’t go in rush hour traffic as I rarely do and manuals make driving way more fun. Worth the hassle in traffic. If you’re constantly in traffic all day then no car will be fun
I live in Montreal , i'm 56 and love driving my kia forte manual.
I'm 54 years old. I have a 2021 Forte5 GT manual and I commute over 100kms per day through the GTA traffic. I will never stop buying manual trans cars ever. Actually driving a manual in GTA traffic is quite simple. Use your engine idle torque to slowly pull the car at a steady crawling speed so you don't have to engage the clutch ever 10 seconds. Time the gaps and the crawling speed of the traffic around you. Make a mental game out of it. Dab the throttle slightly whenever you think the gap in front of you is too big and somebody might try to grab it. If you are constantly having to hit the brakes and engage the clutch then try reading the traffic better. Save the manuals for as long as we can. If I wanted to slap paddles I'll go play a video game.