Kia Forte exudes style in affordable package

The 2014 Kia Forte sedan is a stylish and roomier than expected four-door car that's longer and wider than its predecessor, and offers features not usually found in affordable cars in the segment.

As an example, Forte sedan buyers can add heated seats for both front and rear passengers, a heated steering wheel, puddle and door handle lights and a telematics/communications system that will help find the parked Forte in a crowded shopping mall parking lot.

Too bad, though, that the base Forte sedan doesn't include a standard rearview camera, like the one that's standard on all Honda Civic sedans.

Still, the newly revamped, five-seat Forte, with base 148-horsepower four cylinder, has more power than the base 2014 Toyota Corolla, whose four cylinder develops 132 horses. It has a tad more than the 2014 Honda Civic, which has a 143-horsepower four cylinder.

Not to be missed: The Forte has Kia's generous warranty program that includes 10 years/100,000-mile limited powertrain coverage and five years/60,000-mile limited basic warranty.

In comparison, the Corolla and Civic have limited powertrain coverage for five years/60,000 miles and limited, basic car warranty good for three years/36,000 miles.

Best of all, starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, for the base, front-wheel drive, 2014 Forte LX sedan, which has a six-speed manual transmission, is $16,700.

The test Forte impressed with its handsome exterior, which looked expensive and had a family resemblance to the Optima, Kia's larger mid-size sedan that has a starting MSRP, including destination charge, of $22,300.

And just like a luxury car, the test Forte EX with two option packages had perimeter approach lighting that illuminated the door handles and activated light-emitting diode puddle lights under the outside mirrors. This kind of feature is rare in mainstream sedans, even among competitors that, like the tester, have a $25,600 sticker price.

Inside the test Forte, the dashboard arrangement of controls and buttons was well done and easy to understand. But the black, plastic-dominated environment didn't convey richness as much as function. Still, the knobs and buttons were large enough to use without fuss.

Plus, the optional, leather-trimmed and heated seats were a nice touch, not leaving out the two passengers in the outboard rear seats.

Fuel economy is decent in federal government ratings — 24 miles per gallon in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway.

Ann M. Job is an Associated Press contributor.