Forte Five-Door Impressions

It was expected, I think. I'm sure there will be buyers. I see a lot of Rio Cincos and Spectra5s...so these will sell too.

I like it. More useful and arguably better-looking than the sedan.

Doesn't look as cool as the Koup, but 2-doors just don't work for everyone...

if it was a little sporty three door I'd probably go for it

corytate said:

if it was a little sporty three door I'd probably go for it

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+1

The 5-door is too wagon-esque for me.

not sporty enough

I don't think the Forte looks good as a 5-door, much in the same way that the Fiesta looks weird in a 5-door. 3-door would have been pretty cool, but then it would compete with their koup.

I don't think these 5-doors will sell that well.

I think it will sell well.

ryude said:

I don't think the Forte looks good as a 5-door, much in the same way that the Fiesta looks weird in a 5-door. 3-door would have been pretty cool, but then it would compete with their koup.

I don't think these 5-doors will sell that well.

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They'll sell. 35-36 hiway mpg with more room/power than the similar priced,tiny Fiesta & others like it. I can't wait to check one out!

ryude said:

...I don't think these 5-doors will sell that well...

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Actually, 5-drs have been doing pretty well for the past few years. I don't think I could throw a rock in my neighborhood without hitting either a Toyota Matrix or a Pontiac Vibe.

I'm gonna say this aims squarely at the Matrix, whose styling took a decided turn for the wierd in its second generation. I don't know if the 5-dr Forte is better-looking, exactly, but it should offer better driving dynamics, WAAAAAY better standard equipment, and better affordability.

If my kids were three years younger, I'd probably have been in the market for the 5-dr rather than my spiffy little Koup. Thankfully, my youngest just needs a small booster now, and my oldest is big enough to ride up front. Full child seats in a 2-door are kind of a nightmare.

More design cues from the first generation Mazda 3 would've done wonders for the Kia. It's more wagon than hatch, IMO.

while the 5dr doesnt do anything for me (i've been a 2 dr fan since i started driving in 1984-every car since has been a 2dr) - one of the girls at work she likes my car- but with an infant and 2 teenagers- shes looking for something a lil more 'family' like- and she likes the 5dr- shes been asking me if i've heard anything about when its going to be available- and she is in the market (car market) that is right now..........

There is a story on Autoblog that talks about how many times the hatchback sells better than the sedan version of a car. Read it here!

I have seen the 5 door up close in person a couple times now (I work right next to Kia HQ in the US) and it looks good. I am a huge hatch/wagon fan and think the lines of the car are great. The car needs the 200 HP GDI 2.4L and 6 speed transmission though. I wish it came with AWD, that would make it a big winner in my book.

punksmurph said:

I have seen the 5 door up close in person a couple times now (I work right next to Kia HQ in the US) and it looks good. I am a huge hatch/wagon fan and think the lines of the car are great. The car needs the 200 HP GDI 2.4L and 6 speed transmission though. I wish it came with AWD, that would make it a big winner in my book.

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Cool! We (well I...) need some pics! From this bit of info it looks like will have both motors and 6spd trans... AWD I have no need for, but that's me.

I considered waiting for the 5-door but I'm pretty happy with my EX, although some days I wish I had that 6spd AT!!

Does anyone know when they will be released to U.S. dealers??

I asked a dealer a 3 or 4 weeks back and his response was a couple of months... That would be winter not fall (Kia site says 'fall 2010') to me

I really don't need a car payment, but a test drive could convince me...

Total compact segment in Europe represents approx. 4.8 million units which is over a quarter of the total market, with hatchbacks representing around 65% of that volume.

I got a chance to test drive the new Optima. If the six speed is anything like in the 2011 Optima than it will be a huge improvement over the 5 speed. It is really smooth and power comes down fast. What we need now is the 200 HP GDI engine.

Again today I saw the Forte 5 door in the sheet metal, but this time in blue. It was an SX, saw the badging. I thought it was an Impreza from the side at first and then I took a second look to late and noticed it was a Forte. If I realized from the start I would have a picture of it. They are very elusive cars. If I get close to one again I will have the blackberry at the ready.