[AG_admin]

2010 Kia Forte SX Review
by: http://www.autoguide.com
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There’s one serious issue we have with the high-performance SX version of Kia’s cool new Forte that keeps us from recommending it. That flaw, by all accounts a tragic flaw, is the car’s suspension.

Several months back we tested the EX model and noted that the car has a rather obvious issue with soaking up road imperfections. The SX model amplifies this problem due to a nice set of 17-inch wheels and 215/45/17 tires. We have to lay the blame with the lower profile sidewall on the tires and the stiffer sports suspension.

As a result of this you feel every tiny crack in the road and more sizeable potholes will be giving you nightmares for weeks. The problem is compounded by the car’s rather archaic torsion beam rear end – although other cars like the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra use this setup without such issues. If you’re unlucky enough (as we were) to come across a longer stretch of bad road, the two vehicle traits come together with brutal discomfort as the car’s rear end just can’t keep up with all the impacts and ends up getting twisted every which way.

MORE: 2010 Kia Forte SX Review : Car Reviews

 

[rdlviper]

Seems like the test-driver was a bit of a wimp..... I think the tight suspension is one of the key factors in making the car sporty, and the 17" wheels look fantastic!!!!

This car was meant to have some sports car in it, and it does!!! Congrats to Kia for NOT making it another Honda grocery-getter.

 

[mikebou3]

What kind of after market product can we get to improve the issue with the suspension and will it void the warranty?

 

[Cole]

I believe any suspension modification will void the warranty on that selected part - simply because its not a factory part anymore and the dealership will argue if you say it failed that they would have replaced it.

 

[ForteGT2]

I disagree with the suspension assessment. If it was as bad as printed I would not hear the "end-of-it" from the wife. She has now been driving her SX sedan for more than 11 months and has never complained about the suspension! ...and she went from an 08 Optima to her Forte SX...

We have also driven it several 300+ mile round trips and did not feel we needed a softer suspension when we got home.

 

[mikebou3]

I disagree with the suspension assessment. If it was as bad as printed I would not hear the "end-of-it" from the wife. She has now been driving her SX sedan for more than 4 months and has never complained about the suspension! ...and she went from an 08 Optima to her Forte SX...

We have also driven it several 300+ mile round trips and did not feel we needed a softer suspension when we got home.

Well that's good to hear, I'm still waiting for my SX to arrive and the review got me worry. Thx

 

[Matemorh]

Well that's good to hear, I'm still waiting for my SX to arrive and the review got me worry. Thx

You don't have to be worry Mikebou3 if you're not....
1- ...a car race engineer
2-...car tester
3-...a whimp!
4-... medicaly treated for back pain

The SX suspenssion is hard and you will feel every tiny bumps on the road!
Some say it's too much, me, I love it!!!

The only flaw is that it look like it has a slower reaction compare to independent one. It mean that when you hit several bumps in a curve, the back kick out sometimes, just like an old solid axle pickup..... in much much less worst.

 

[vizunary]

it's not like your riding a buckboard. i agree the tester is a wussy. i'm dring a hyundai sonota loaner right now and it's suspension disgusts me, i hate the roll and boat like ride. maybe when i hit 60 i'll want that.

 

[CBForte]

My last two cars were a Mini Cooper S and a Hyundai Sonata. I test drove the Forte EX and SX a couple times each to compare the engine and suspension.

I purchased the SX and I am glad I did. I really missed "driving" my car like I did with my Mini. I had no problems with the Sonata but you don't drive it, you just ride in it. I like being able to feel the road when I'm driving. I like being able to "dodge" the potholes. It makes driving fun.

It's true that a big bump or pothole will get your attention but that is true of any car with 17" wheels, low profile tires and a sport suspension. This isn't a characteristic of the Forte SX but rather of a car with that type of suspension set up.

 

[jholi]

It's like they were looking for something negative to say. If the roads where you live are so crappy that a firm suspension is reason enough for you not to buy a car then you should take that 20k and spend it on rent in a better area.

And complaints about body roll? They say there are 4 cars in its class and only one falls ahead in this category, the Mazda3s. And having driven the Mazda3s before buying a Forte SX I have to wonder what they were smoking. Body roll was much more pronounced on the Mazda3 than the Forte. And when you compare HP as well I don't see how they can call the Mazda3 the better driver's car. Additionally the Mazda's seats were painfully uncomfortable which would give me pause in calling it a driver's car.

 

[sturmgewehr]

You definitely have to take these reviews with a grain of salt. I read a different review of the Forte Koup that said that Kia was "more Mazda than Mazda".

 

[pere]

any luck on parts

What kind of after market product can we get to improve the issue with the suspension and will it void the warranty?

any luck on aftermarket parts for rough ride. I would like to improve my very bumpy ride.

 

[cprey]

I noticed on the test drive how much you do feel the bumps on a bad stretch of road, but it's something I put up with because the driving on smooth roads is good. If the road's bad, I just drive a bit slower. No big deal.

 

[[email protected]]

You want to feel a lousy suspension - try a chevy cobalt - that thing feels like its riding on a set of cement blocks. --- The Koup rides just fine as it is and handles perfectly.

 

[RacingRed]

The driver thought the riding was rough? He should have been with me when I had my 1982 Corolla S/W (former car) with it's rear springs dead,lol. And it wasn't a racer,lol.
My new SX Koup does just fine here in Hawaii and our roads aren't the best either. And our on-ramps to get on the freeway are the shortest you'll ever find, but my Koup has no trouble getting on the freeway,lol.

 

[Rainyraven]

You definitely have to take these reviews with a grain of salt. I read a different review of the Forte Koup that said that Kia was "more Mazda than Mazda".

Its funny I've read about 14 reviews on the forte and honestly each one of them seemed like they all were talking about another car.
But there are a few really great reviews on the koup like the one quoted above.