Kia Cerato Forte 1.6 SX Review: Butt seriously...

What we like:

Well-proportioned looks

well equipped package

value-for-money factor

What we dislike:

Marginally more expensive than the saloon

engine can sound gruff when stretched

With a similar wheelbase of 2650mm to the saloon, the Forte hatchback trumps more expensive saloon competitors like the Toyota Corolla Altis and the Nissan Latio. The Forte's generous wheelbase equates to a spacious interior. Rear passengers have ample leg and headroom. Surprisingly, despite the hatchback's more elegantly sloping roof, Kia's specs reveal that the hatchback offers 20mm more headroom at the rear than the saloon model. In addition, the flat floor design at the rear means passengers seated at the centre will feel comfortable with the additional leg space.

Up front, the modern and contemporary dashboard design is shared with the other Forte models and compliments the handsome exterior. The materials used might not feel like of the highest quality but Kia has taken the trouble to offer a classy interior ambience in the Forte nonetheless thanks to the use of red illumination and well-thought out switchgear.

The driving position is extremely adjustable thanks to height adjustment for the seat and a tilt and telescopic steering column. The latter is a rarity in the Forte's price segment.

With a length of 4340mm, the hatchback is 190mm shorter overall than the saloon and with similar wheelbases between the two body styles, it means that the hatchback has a shorter rear overhang which translates to a slightly less voluminous boot area than the saloon. Just like the saloon though, the hatchback features 60/40 split/folding rear seats to extend the load area if required. But unlike the saloon, the hatchback offers a more accessible extended load area as it doesn't have the saloon's rear bulkhead in the way when loading longer and bigger cargo.

Just like the recently updated Cerato saloon and Koup models, the hatchback comes with the new gear selector which looks much better than the older car's and the Bluetooth controls on the steering wheel for seamless operation of hands free mobile phone headsets.

In SX trim, the Forte hatchback is comprehensively equipped. It comes with a factory fitted stereo with steering wheel mounted controls, trip computer, reversing aids, 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, twin front airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, a self-dimming rear view mirror and more. Surprisingly, the hatchback's sticker price is $1,000 more than the equivalent 1.6 SX saloon on Kia's price list. Well, I guess additional style always comes at a price.

The five-door Forte hatchback offers all the virtues of the saloon while delivering a tad more style and sportiness in the way it looks. While the older buyer might still go straight for the traditional saloon model, younger buyers now have a choice to choose a Forte model that is arguably more stylish and looks sportier than the saloon but yet more practical than the two-door Koup.

Credits: Story and Photos by Joe Yeo