Best new cars under $20,000: 2014 Kia Forte compact sedan

Get more car for your money with the all-new 2014 Kia Forte Sedan, with a starting price of $15,900, including as standard equipment safety and comfort features rarely found at this price.

Even fully loaded, the top-of-the-line model still comes in under the $20,000 price line.

The redesigned Forte is longer and wider than the current version, which means more legroom, and European-influenced styling similar to Sonata, another value-priced sedan, from corporate sister Hyundai.

Under the hood, the Forte will be propelled by either an efficient 1.8-liter 148 hp engine or a more powerful 2.0-liter 173 hp GDI. Fuel economy for the 2.0-liter is 24 MPG city/36 highway/28 combined, which isn’t great, since the comparable-sized and comparable-priced 2013 Ford Fiesta is rated at 29/39/33.

The 2014 Forte is offered in three models:

• LX with a 1.8-liter engine and manual transmission starting at $15,900; includes as standard equipment steering wheel-mounted audio controls, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, power windows, air conditioning and heated power-folding mirrors. Add-ons include 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, keyless entry with remote trunk release and a sliding front armrest.
• LX with a 1.8-liter engine and automatic transmission with a base price of $17,400;

EX with a 2.0-liter GDI engine and sportmatic automatic transmission beginning at $19,400; including Kia’s next-generation UVO in-vehicle infotainment and telematics system with eServices, which can be integrated with an optional navigation system. Additional standard EX features include remote keyless entry with trunk opener, rear camera and display, and a unique cooling glove box for your big or small gulps. The new sportmatic transmission lets you switch between comfort, normal and sport driving modes. Add-ons include air-cooled seats and heated steering wheel, power sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, push button start, and HID headlights and LED tail lights.

Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand’s “Top 100 Best Global Brands,” and over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia has created more than 11,000 plant and supplier jobs. The Kia Optima sedan and Sorento SUV are built there.