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AutoPacific’s Vice President of Industry Analysis, Ed Kim,  has always had an affinity for small cars with a performance personality and a load of equipment.  Our recent week-long evaluation of the 2014 Kia Forte5 SX seems to fit his requirements.  The Forte5 SX is a front wheel drive five-door hatchback that provides a lot of utility for a small family.  Its useful interior package is wrapped in a very nice looking and sporty skin.

Technology Laden Interior Standard  The interior is full of Kia’s latest technology.  Standard are heated outside mirrors with mirror head mounted turn signal indicators, automatic light control, projector headlamps, LED fog lamps, LED positioning lights. LED taillamps, 18-inch alloy wheels.  Comfort and convenience features abound in the interior with standard AM/FM/CD/MP3/SiriusXM audio, UVO eServices Infotainment System, rear camera, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, cruise control, steering wheel controls, paddle shifters with automatic transmission, tilt and telescoping steering column, power windows/locks, air conditioning, leather wrapped steering wheel, the list goes on.

Advanced Powerful Engine  The Forte5 SX is powered by a 1.6L Turbocharged DOHC 4-cylinder engine with dual continuous variable valve timing and gasoline direct injection.  These engine specs place the SX model at the forefront of today’s advanced gasoline engine technology.  Given these engine specs, the SX has 201-horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque driving through the front wheels.

So, without any options, the Kia Forte5 with a six-speed automatic transmission goes for $20,900.

More Goodies Can be Added  If you want to spring for more technology, Kia has option packages that can provide it.  For an additional $2,200, a premium package is available that includes a sunroof, auto dimming rear view mirror with Homelink, leather seat trim, power driver’s seat, heat and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel.  Once you’ve popped for the Premium Package yo can decide to add the Technology Package that includes HID headlamps, 4.2-inch display in the instrument cluster between the tach and speedometer, dual zone air conditioning and a navigation system.  That adds another $1,800 to the price.  Destination charges are another $800.

Fully Loaded – <$26,000  So for less than $26,000 you can get a fully loaded Forte5 SX.

Spirited, Pleasant to Drive  OK, we’ve talked about the impressive equipment level and powertrain under the hood, but would the Forte5 SX live up to Ed Kim’s driving requirements.  Absolutely.  This is a fun to drive small car with “spritely” performance.  It rides well, has more-than-adequate power and acceleration and gets good fuel economy (21mpg city/29mpg highway).  Not bad at all.

How could this car be improved?  First, the interior is available only in black, so the tone of the environment is a bit dour.  There should be a light grey leather seat option with door trim panels to accent the seats.  The headliner should be light.  These changes would open up the interior to make the car seem more spacious.  That’s about it.  Upgrade the interior here and there and the Kia Forte5 SX is an even bigger winner than it already is.