Sunday Drive New Car Reviews: 2017 Kia Forte5

By BJ Killeen

 

A Lot of Good in a Little Package

Anyone who has a mild interest in the automotive business is aware that Kia is continuing its climb to the top of the automotive kingdom. The most recent news is that Kia not only took the top spot in the JD Power and Associates Initial Quality Study over the likes of Lexus and Porsche, but also has some winners in the JD Power APEAL study. Any more feathers in Kia’s cap and it will need a bigger chapeau.  Since we’ve been following Kia since the beginning in 1994, we’ve been impressed at how quickly it learns what works for America and what doesn’t. One example of this forward progress is the Kia Forte5.

A relative newcomer to the lineup (introduced in 2010), the Forte5 is the hatchback version of the sedan and Koup 2-door in the Forte family. The F5 is in its second-generation, but for 2017 has received a handful of refreshments to keep up with the other models in the segment. Although it can’t compete with the established nameplates like Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Ford Focus when it comes to sales, it’s still in the top 10 in a segment that lists over 50 models.

We have always loved hatchback models. While they fell out of favor with the American audience, they are slowly becoming popular again. And for good reason: there’s decent room, accessible cargo capacity, impressive fuel economy, and great value. This is exactly what a compact vehicle should be.

The Forte5 checks all those boxes. First, the design is attractive and looks even better than before with the mid-cycle updates. The 2017 Kia Forte5 has a sloping hoodline, nicely raked windshield, Kia’s trademark tiger-nose grille, aerodynamic headlamps, and a strong character line down the side. Our test model SX (there’s also an LX and EX below it) was shod with 18-inch alloy wheels and decent 225-series tires that added to the sporty stance. Dual exhaust tips, a large rear window, redesigned taillamps, and a blackout rear diffuser add a lot of appeal.  If you didn't know better, you’d swear this SX had a base price way over the $23,800 tag. For just $18,200, you can get into the LX trim with fewer features and a detuned engine, but with all the exterior good looks (save for smaller wheels/tires).

Inside, we were pleasantly surprised at the little Forte5’s quality, features, and comfort. Standard items on all trims include 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40 split fold rear seats, air conditioning, Bluetooth, USB inputs, remote keyless entry, and more. Our SX trim added that leather instead of cloth seats, UVO infotainment system, pushbutton start with Smart Key, and more. Our Forte5 test model’s bottom line was $28,420 because of the Premium Tech package that included a long list of nice-to-have-but-not-necessary items like a navigation system, ventilated front seats, HID headlamps, Blind Spot Detection and Cross Traffic Alert, power sunroof and more.

We do like the extra power from the 1.6-liter turbocharged and direct-injected inline four-cylinder engine. It produces 201 horsepower (versus 164 for the naturally aspirated 2.0L in the LX and EX), and 195 lb-ft of torque (versus 151). While no one will be winning any drag races with the Forte5, it does have enough power to merge and scoot when needed. While any four cylinder is going to be noisy just by virtue of how hard it has to work, the I4 in the Kia was less obtrusive than many other compact engines, and it is quickly forgiven because the Forte5 is actually fun to drive. You don’t feel as if you’re in the penalty box because the steering feels nicely weighted, the bigger tires (on the SX) give it some grip, and the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission felt solid and relatively quick.

If you drive it with economy in mind, you’ll be rewarded with close to the 30-mpg highway numbers the EPA has estimated for the hatch. City estimates are 25 mpg. While it might not be the best numbers in the segment, it’s good enough to give you a driving range of nearly 400 miles. Plus, it looks good doing so. When you add in the 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty program, that’s an added bonus versus the competitors.

It wasn’t all that long ago when Kia was a no-name car manufacturer delivering basic vehicles for a basic low price. In less than 25 years, Kia has become a company to be reckoned with, producing a host of award-winning, safe, comfortable, quality vehicles that deserve a second and third look. And the Forte5 is just one of the many vehicles on that long list.

Sunday Drive: New Car Reviews

By BJ Killeen

Volvo S60 Polestar: Swede with an Attitude

While most folks know that Volvo is synonymous with safety, few know the successful performance partner of the Volvo brand: Polestar. Polestar’s focus is racing, and how development on the track helps improve Volvo vehicles on the road. Polestar’s experience comes via over two decades of running in the World Touring Car Championship. What Polestar has learned from racing and winning can be summed up in the 2017 Volvo S60 Polestar.

Available in Sedan or wagon (V60) models, the Polestar takes all the best safety and luxury features of Volvo and throws in great  performance on top. The sum is a vehicle that’s fun to drive, handles exceptionally well, looks good, and protects its occupants.

Polestar begins with the S60 sedan, and then makes over 70 modifications to transform it to  Polestar status. The first move is to paint it Rebel Blue, a dead giveaway that this is a Polestar model. Yeah, you can get it in a few other colors, but why? Then it tweaks the suspension to give the S60 80 percent stiffer springs, adds Öhlins DVS shock absorbers, six-piston Polestar/Brembo brake calipers, a carbon-fiber-reinforced front strut brace, and lots of power. The 2.0-liter Drive-E (turbo and supercharged) four-cylinder engine makes 362 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque, mated to a Polestar-calibrated 8-speed transmission. That’s 60 more hp over the S60 T6 engine, and 52 more lb-ft of torque. We’re talking serious performance here. More go-fast items specific to the S60 Polestar include a 3-inch stainless steel exhaust system, 20-inch Polestar alloy wheels with summer tires, a rear diffuser with polished tailpipes, and unique rear and lower front spoiler.

Inside, the S60 gets more Polestar attention via Sport Nubuck leather seats, aluminum pedals, carbon-fiber inlay, and Polestar leather steering wheel and shift knob. Lest you think this is strictly about performance, rest easy that the luxury part of the Volvo S60 remains, with 8-way heated seats with power lumbar, dual-zone electronic climate control, Sensus navigation, 650-watt audio system, a power glass moonroof, and lots more.

While we can spend time talking about the safety features, great audio system and convenience items, the Polestar really is about handling. All the experience and engineering behind the brand really shows up in the Polestar S60. On a recent drive to LA and surrounding areas, we experienced everything from steady-state highway driving to mountain passes to stop-and-go traffic. While the summer tires provide great grip in higher-speed turns, they surprisingly didn’t punish us during long stretches of freeway driving. The steering feel is responsive, and the brakes stop confidently. Because the Polestar is race bred, there are a few different modes that alter shift points and other performance features that are better suited toward track driving (especially for those inexperienced drivers). As just a regular Joe who wants to go out and have some fun driving briskly without donning a helmet and racesuit, the Polestar is a great option.

Even the fuel economy won’t scare you away, with 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. You might be a little frightened about the price, however, since it starts at $60,000. The good news is that’s also where it ends. There are no other options besides dealer accessories. Add in $995 for destination and you’re good to go. Price out a comparable BMW 5-Series, and you’d be well over that price point.

While Volvo and Polestar have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship, there are big changes coming in the future. Polestar recently announced that it will now be separately branded from Volvo, and no longer will carry the Volvo logo on its vehicles, even though it will continue to develop “optimization” package for the Swedish company under the Polestar Engineered brand. Plus, it now says that Polestar will be an electrified global high-performance car company, which is going to be interesting to follow as new products are introduced.  Can’t wait to see what Polestar has in store for the future.

Sunday Drive: New Car Reviews

By BJ Killeen

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan: Refreshingly Unique

The compact SUV segment of the marketplace is equivalent to the soda wars; there are a few outright leaders, and then a slew of others who might be just as good, but have neither the budget nor the history to challenge the leaders. Such is the case with the Volkswagen Tiguan. Because it plays in the same segment dominated by the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape, few repeat owners of those CUVs are willing to give something new a try. If you’re a Coke drinker, you don’t switch to Pepsi, and vice versa. Plus, you’d have to have a serious reason to completely jump ship and go to a lesser-known cola.

However, there are those who dare to think (or drink) outside the box, and for those brave enough to do so, they are usually rewarded with a beverage that not only tastes better, but is more affordable. Such is the case with the all-new Volkswagen Tiguan. This is the second go-round for the Tiguan compact SUV, and Volkswagen improved on what was already a decent vehicle. The biggest difference between the new and previous model is size. The new Tiguan has almost 11 inches more length than the 2017 version, which means almost a 60% bump in cargo capacity. And for those who need it, there’s a third-row seating option standard on all-wheel-drive models.

The Tiguan is offering a nice lineup, starting with an entry-level S trim, then SE, SEL and SEL Premium. All trim levels are offered with VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, so any trim can get the third row optional if desired. Plus, the extra row is only a $500 up charge. Prices also are competitive, with the S starting at $26,245 including a $900 destination charge. For the fully loaded SEL Premium 4Motion, you’ll be looking at $38,950, including third row and destination. For those who like a bit more performance look, the R-Line can be added to the SEL or SEL Premium trim for $1,795 and $1,495 respectively. By comparison, the Ford Escape Titanium model fully loaded is $38,120, and the Toyota RAV4 Limited is $37,235. Neither of the competitors offers a third-row, however. For those who don’t want to buy a midsize CUV just to get a third row for those occasional extra passengers, the Tiguan is the perfect solution.

There has to be more to a vehicle than just seating. In this respect, the VW Tiguan also does well. First, the styling is attractive. We aren’t the first ones to say it looks like a smaller VW Atlas, and that’s a fair statement. Both the Atlas and Tiguan are attractive, with a good balance between body and greenhouse. The Tiguan has a clean, modern appearance, with standard LED taillamps and available LED headlamps. Wheels and tires start at 17s, and go up to 20s with the R-Line package for a more aggressive stance. Underneath the Tiguan’s skin is a solid platform. It’s built on the same MQB architecture as the MK7 Golf family and the new Atlas. The platform allows VW to alter the length, height, and width to create different models, as well as accommodate a variety of powertrains. It also helps save money on production costs: a win-win in anyone’s book.

Inside, the Tiguan is totally Volkswagen, meaning it feels clean, open, and contemporary. Every model but the S gets the 8-inch touchscreen, which is easy to use. One feature we have always loved on VW models is the flat-bottom steering wheel. Wish everyone did that in their vehicles. The seats are comfortable (something we never used to say in VWs), and the upgraded 480-watt 9-speaker Fender audio system cleanly kicks out the sound at Ted Nugent levels. The SE and SEL trims should be popular, as it comes nicely equipped with a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, navigation, power liftgate, and remote start.

To get the Tiguan moving is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. While not the most powerful engine in the segment, the Tiguan scoots along fairly well once you get the revs up. It could use more torque at the low end, especially if the vehicle was loaded with six people and cargo. The shifts were smooth from the 8-speed automatic transmission, and The independent suspension does a good job of absorbing road irregularities. We have always liked VW’s steering feel, and the Tiguan is fun to play with on a curvy road. Fuel economy isn’t as much as we would like, with a 22 city/27 highway rating for front-wheel drive models. Both the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4 beat those numbers, albeit only by one or two mpg.

One area we can’t fault is VW’s 4Motion system. It’s always been one of the best in the industry, and it works as it should in the Tiguan to deliver a high level of confidence in bad weather as well as fun driving on dry roads. To help deliver that confident feel behind the wheel, the Tiguan offers a variety of driver-assist features, such as front assist with pedestrian monitoring, lane assist, rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, park distance control, and rear traffic alert with braking.

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ll in all, the VW Tiguan is a great option for those who need more seating but don't want to step up in size nor price to get it. It may not have the splash behind it like Coke or Pepsi, but it’s a refreshing choice for those who are looking for something to make them stand apart in a crowded segment.