Forte

The Kia Forte is a sporty-looking compact sedan but don't be fooled by its sharp sheetmetal: its greatest asset isn't how much fun it is on the road but how easy it is on your bank account. A lethargic 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is standard, as is front-drive. It's plenty competent for zipping around town, but if you're looking for a bit of driving fun consider the GT model. The GT puts a sharper edge on the car's already keen appearance and drops a turbocharged 1.6-liter four under the hood, along with either a dual-clutch automatic or a six-speed manual. The turbo four adds some punch, but the GT's chassis tuning doesn't deliver the more finely honed moves of sport-sedan competitors like the VW Jetta GLI or Honda Civic Si. What the Forte lineup does offer is value, with all sorts of standard features wrapped in four handsome trim levels at exceedingly low price points—a situation made all the more impressive by a powertrain warranty that's better than BMW's or Mercedes-Benz's.