[ILFORTESX]

Read a review by autoguide.com that said the suspension was a fatal flaw, and they could not see why anybody would want to drive it.

I wanted to get the opinion of those actually driving it everyday. I am on the fence about purchasing the Forte SX. I would appreciate any feedback.

 

[CBForte]

I have 3000 miles on my SX sedan. My two previous cars were a Mini Cooper and a Hyundai Sonata so I have experience with sporty cars outfitted with 17" wheels and low profile tires as well as softer family sedans. The SX definitely is a sport suspension set up and the 17" wheels are not silky smooth.

However, I don't find the ride to be bad at all. You have to keep it in perspective. If you want a sporty ride and tight handling and the look of the larger wheels and lower profile tires you will give up some softness in the suspension. I do a lot of highway driving so the ride doesn't bother me at all. On bumpy back roads it is a bit rough and if the majority of my driving was on this type of road I might have given it a second thought. But for everyday driving I find the SX suspension to be fine.

My advice would be to take a couple test drives on different types of roads and compare it to other cars you may be interested in. I drove the SX and the EX twice each before I made up my mind.

 

[BLKSX]

I have the Koup SX 6spd,

I find the ride very sporty! its not like a caddy where you can drive over the grand canon and feel nothing lol

My car has 215/45/17 tires, now with the 45 your gonna feel the bumps a little but its not bad IMO. I think it drives very nice. I can't speak for the sedan as mine is more sport so its a lil stiffer

 

[BigE]

This subject has come up before about this same review, see this older post for some other perspectives.

http://www.forteforums.com/forums/kia-forte-news/18-2010-kia-forte-sx-review.html

I like the stiffer suspension in my SX Sedan, it's the sportiest car I've ever owned and I like way it seems to ride on rails around corners and I don't find it harsh on the roads around here either.

My only complaint is that when I'm accelerating hard turning a corner, if the road is very uneven (huge ruts from freight trucks) the back end will hop across the road. Solution: ease up on the gas when taking that particular corner.

 

[ForteGT2]

I'll put it in a different way...my wife has been driving her SX sedan daily since June and we have taken it on several 180 mile round trip jaunts. The car is comfortable enough for her. Until we came across the autoguide review we weren't aware of a suspension problem!

 

[Sssteele67]

I have a SX with 5000 mi. I actually find the sport suspension some what lacking. Don,t get me wrong, I love the car. I bought it just because I saw one on a dealer lot(love at first sight). It is a great normal ride. It just doesn't deliver when pressed. My 03 Progete 5 has a much sportier handling suspension.(stock sport suspension).

 

[Brad]

I just did my first oil change on my EX and find suspension getting easier as it wears in so to speak. 8500km.

 

[Silver2010]

Actually, MotorTrend commended the suspension on both the EX and SX, and was especially lauding the SX suspension.

These hack jobs by some of the automotive media to try and scuttle a Kia vs their beloved competition are the result of being in the pocket of Honda and Toyota for so long.

 

[Red Rocket]

A lot of factors go into this as well. When I picked up my Koup Sx, I felt every single seam and knook and cranny in the road. Checked my air pressure, and had 45psi (cold) in the tires where Kia calls for 32psi. Brought it down to 35psi and got a much better ride. It's also very cold here, which I believe can also add to the suspension not being as forgiving. If the highway is of concrete, the road noise tends to be quite high whereas asphalt is much quieter. But as most have mentioned this has a sports car suspension which will ride stiffer. I do have a concern as to how well the front ends will hold up on these cars. I hope they do well

 

[Silver2010]

A lot of factors go into this as well. When I picked up my Koup Sx, I felt every single seam and knook and cranny in the road. Checked my air pressure, and had 45psi (cold) in the tires where Kia calls for 32psi. Brought it down to 35psi and got a much better ride. It's also very cold here, which I believe can also add to the suspension not being as forgiving. If the highway is of concrete, the road noise tends to be quite high whereas asphalt is much quieter. But as most have mentioned this has a sports car suspension which will ride stiffer. I do have a concern as to how well the front ends will hold up on these cars. I hope they do well

I'm glad you mentioned this. The same was the case with my Forte when I bought it, the tire psi was at 45. Assuming the car they road tested had the same overly high tire pressure would explain the harsh ride of that one review. Rumor has it that Kia sets the pressure very high at the factory for the trip over to North America and then for while sitting on dealer lots. Not advisable in my opinion. No need.

Your other points are excellent too. Also, the tires have a lot to do with both comfort and noise. Some are better than others in that regard. Kia isn't putting premium tites on their cars, and most others don't wither, with the exception of the European makes.

I wouldn't worry about how the front end will hold up over time. Classic MacPherson strut setup with a pretty beefy front stabilizer bar.

 

[rstp72]

Actually, MotorTrend commended the suspension on both the EX and SX, and was especially lauding the SX suspension.

These hack jobs by some of the automotive media to try and scuttle a Kia vs their beloved competition are the result of being in the pocket of Honda and Toyota for so long.

completely agree with you.
I have a 5sp auto SX with almost 5K on it and the suspension is just find
the test driver for the magazine must have been a big Pussy
yeah the rear end hops a lil when you hit a rut while taking a turn too fast,
easy fix though , SLOW DOWN

 

[copperhead]

Our Sx sedan w/ 6 sp rides great on the HIGHWAY but in the city we have some of the crappiest streets in the country. Yes it bounces around, you get used to it.
The only complaint I have is the clutch! Been driving stick shifts for 4 decades this one has me stumped,my work car is a stick and I drive an 18 wheeler all day. Whats Up with these clutches?

 

[Rez]

There are much lower and higher end vehicles that use the same suspension that is in our fortes. I think reviews need to do a bit more research before they open up. Issues with the man trans? I have not bought one myself, but ive heard great review about how this improves the man trans ROAD///RACE Forte Light Pulley [Forte Light Weight Pulley] - $139.00 : Road Race Motorsports, Road Race Motorsports

 

[Brad]

I'm still having some trouble with the clutch but overcoming it gradually. I blame it mostly on my heavy foot. The clutch is not a cable or mechanical linkage but hydraulic, which contributes to it's sensitivity. I've been experiencing a back fire between 2nd & 3rd gear but that is merely timing/coordination as near as I can tell.

 

[Silver2010]

Shouldn't ever be a backfire, Brad. Get it checked out.

 

[Mustang649]

I agree with most of the other comments. The ride is a little stiff, but it's a sports car and that kind of ride is to be expected. On good roads it rides very smooth. The handling is very good. All in all, for the money, it's a good car and I'm glad I purchased it.

 

[Brad]

The Dealer couldn't find anything wrong. I now have 9100km on the odometer and have had the opportunity to have 4 adults in the car and find the ride much smoother LOL. As I drive it more I'm finding this condition of backfiring becoming non-existant. I also agree with you there should never be any backfiring no matter how the car is driven. I'm sure that if the condition worsens the dealership will take care of it for me. Are there other Fortes out there experiencing this condition?

 

[JoeCraig]

I bought my Kia Forte SX (2.4) about a month ago, having grown up in the UK I am used to stiffer suspension and find the Forte a reasonable ride. It handles well but not as nicely as my old Ford Focus (I miss the passive rear wheel steer from the blade suspension) but good enough to have some fun. Where I do find the suspension hard is over the small deflection range, such as expansion joints in bridges, etc.

My wife describes it well, my old Focus was like a Cob horse, slower more stable and sure footed. The Kia is like a quarter horse, much faster and quicker to react. The cob you can ride without holding the reins but you never let go of the reins on the quarter horse!

 

[apecio]

I now have 33k on my SX sedan. Here are my 2 cents...

I bought the SX because of the sprots tunned suspension and the bigger engine and better trany... i test drove all 3 trims in canada 3 times each... and I fell in love with the SX. I do mainly highway driving...but i'm in Toronto and we have alot of potholes and cracked roads around especially in the downtown core... it gets rough at times... but i like it!