Ace of Base: 2019 Kia Forte FE

Yes, yes, yes. This marks the second week in a row for the same manufacturer, almost as long a stretch as Khabib Nurmagomedov has gone without scaling the wall of a UFC cage.

The little Forte sedan (remember those? Ford doesn’t) ups its game in 2019 with a refreshed sense of style and a bucket full of new equipment. This is most definitely our first Ace of Base that includes dual-zone climate control as standard equipment.

Those who are un-wowed by the presence of such a gee-whiz feature are either unmarried or have never had a passenger in the right-hand seat. Dual-zone ventilation allows one half of a family unit the luxury of freezing their buns off while the other bakes in heated comfort. A driver’s well-being trumps all other concerns on a drive around these parts, so until the advent of dual-zone, passengers in the Guy household had to endure whatever temperature fancies the driver saw fit to unleash.

In fact, the only thing left to row about these days is what emanating from the stereo speakers. Here, the new Forte would do well, supplying an 8-inch touchscreen (not a cut-rate 7-incher) complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The four-speaker system is, of course, wired for Bluetooth and a backup camera.

The $17,690 base Forte FE is also filled to the gunwales with safety equipment, ideal for new drivers young and old. Forward collision and lane departure warning systems loops drivers in of impending doom, while a driver attention system keeps tabs on the somnambulant. My biggest carp? Cruise control is optional.

Powering this car is a 2.0-liter DOHC inline-four making a segment-appropriate 147 horsepower. Hill start assist helps prevent those unfamiliar with the car’s six-speed manual from wantonly rolling into whatever’s directly astern. Note: Kia chooses to call their (optional, $900) continuously variable transmission an IVT, not a CVT, perhaps to distance itself from the undertones associated with that acronym.

Rims are 15-inch steelies with hubcaps and only two shades, grey and white, are available without extra charge. At least the exterior trim is color-keyed. This is not a bad-looking compact car. Quick straw poll for the comments: of what luxury-brand small sedan do those taillights remind you?

For an even better deal, head north. For $16,495 Canadian dollars, the 2019 base Forte (called the LX in that market) sports many of these same features plus heated seats and steering wheel. You can bet one side of the dual-zone will be set to maximum heat this winter, too.

[Images: Kia]

Not every base model has aced it. The ones which have? They stoke the fires of our flinty cheapskate hearts. Any others you can think of, B&B? Let us know in the comments and feel free to eviscerate today’s selection.

The model above is priced in Freedom dollars and shown with American options and trim. Destination charges can go pound sand. As always, your dealer may sell for less.