Comparison review: Five compact sporty sedans

[bradyholt]

In the week it spent with the DC Car Examiner, the sporty SX version of the new 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan simply didn’t come off as very sporty. It’s powerful and reasonably agile, but it didn’t demonstrate the sharp steering of a truly fun-to-drive car, and a touchy throttle combined with an abrupt clutch to make it frustrating to drive, particularly launching it from a stop.

But is there anything else that does better, or does this criticism simply hold the Forte SX to a higher standard than any reasonably priced, reasonably practical, and reasonably fuel-efficient car ought to be?

To get that broader perspective, test drives of similar vehicles were in order: other compact economy sedans that offer more performance than the norm without going overboard on the price...

Continued at link:
http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-Ca...s-Introduction


Per usual, the comparison will come out over the course of a week. If you prefer to see things all at once, check back any time after next Sunday and/or check out the past comparisons linked to from this comparison's page.

[K-1]

Might I suggest you not stretch it out over a week. This way of doing comparisons is more frustrating than it is building anticipation. Drive the cars, write the reviews, and then publish your opinions of ranking. While interested in the outcome, I for one won't be checking back after a week. I'll most likely forget all about it. This is completely inane.

[bradyholt]

Fifth place: Subaru Impreza 2.5i

Subarus have long had the reputation of being unkillable. Their standard all-wheel-drive system powers them through rough weather, their solid construction consistently wins them top safety ratings, and their collection of loyal owners swears by their longevity. They used to also have a reputation for being more fun to drive than the average car, as Subaru sought to fill the “sporty” niche to appeal to customers far south of the snow belt.

The current version of the company’s entry-level Impreza sedan – introduced as a 2008 model – certainly appears to live up to the former. But this car is now utility-only; it has lost its former sportiness without adding the level of refinement it has long needed...

Continued at link:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1...ns-Fifth-place


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[bradyholt]

Fourth place: 2010 Kia Forte SX

With most of its recent products, Kia had been on a roll. Quality, refinement, safety, fuel economy, and driving dynamics were all improving rapidly even as the Korean automaker maintained its traditional low prices.

With the compact Forte, introduced for 2010, it looked as though Kia would be able to add style to its list of new strengths. But while this car features clean and attractive looks, it falls short of the high standard to which the company’s products should now be held....

Continued at link:

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1...s-Fourth-place


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[bradyholt]

Third place: Volkswagen Jetta 2.5

The idea behind the Volkswagen Jetta is a strong one: the feeling of solidity and quality of a traditional German luxury car wrapped in a compact package and priced on the high end of the small car class. Even though that package wouldn’t promise outright sportiness, such a Jetta would certainly offer excellent driving dynamics to go with its refinement.

Alas, that sort of Jetta is not quite what Volkswagen is selling...

Continued at link:

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1...ns-Third-place


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[ARCANGEL]

Im gonna go out on a very short limb and say number 2 Mazda 3 its not as fun as it used to be but better than the previous 3 you listed above and number 1 the civic Si fun as heck to drive high revving engine and comfortable to boot! while returning admirable fuel economy for that type of vehicle

[bradyholt]

Second place: Honda Civic Si

More than the other four vehicles in this comparison, the Honda Civic Si is a sporty car first and a compact economy sedan second. It competes more directly with the higher-performance versions of some of the cars in this comparison – such as the Subaru Impreza WRX and Volkswagen Jetta GLI – even as it’s priced among their mainstream variants.

Looking at that information alone, it would seem this Civic should walk away with this comparison as a higher level of automobile still selling for around $20,000...

Continued at link:
http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-Ca...s-Second-place

[ARCANGEL]

man i was off lol oh well although I don't agree lol

[bradyholt]

Originally Posted by ARCANGEL

man i was off lol oh well although I don't agree lol

Have you had a chance to drive the Si? Unless you're flogging it, it's giving you very little.

[ARCANGEL]

Originally Posted by bradyholt

Have you had a chance to drive the Si? Unless you're flogging it, it's giving you very little.

I will agree with that assessment it needs to be always in the higher rpm range, to get the ummmph out of it. I just found that when I drove the new 3 it felt a bit neutered and disconnected compared to the last gen 3

[crooner214]

Lemme guess, Corolla (letter-letter-letter) wins?

[bradyholt]

Originally Posted by ARCANGEL

I will agree with that assessment it needs to be always in the higher rpm range, to get the ummmph out of it. I just found that when I drove the new 3 it felt a bit neutered and disconnected compared to the last gen 3

I agree. Even the best in this class should be better.

[bradyholt]

Originally Posted by crooner214

Lemme guess, Corolla (letter-letter-letter) wins?

The Corolla XRS isn't in the comparison. It failed the basic entry requirement of actually being stocked in a dealer where I could test drive one.

[ARCANGEL]

Originally Posted by crooner214

Lemme guess, Corolla (letter-letter-letter) wins?

way to pay attention and use your logic LOL No corolla in said comparison!

[ARCANGEL]

Originally Posted by bradyholt

I agree. Even the best in this class should be better.

where do you think you would have placed a regular civic sedan fully loaded? I would be interested if you would add that because the SI really doesnt belong in this comparo. You dont have a mazdaspeed3 nor a volkswagen jetta gli etc etc. Test a reg civic sedan with a manual