Audi designer at Kia's first realized product
 

http://www.kia.com/#/forte/explore/exterior/

See for yourself, it's a Kia that doesn't look like garbage. It replaces the awful Kia Spectra and apparently is a decent car, although suffers from too much body roll on even the SX model.

It doesn't look like garbage but it's not that great either.

IMO, better than the base Lancer, definitely better than Corolla, and no goofy-ass smile like the new Mazda 3 (although the body isn't nearly as nice).

This car segment really doesn't have anything that screams must-buy. The 3 I think wins for performance and (if you can stand the smile either by liking it or by hiding it with a black version) general looks. Forte comes with more stuff and I think they tie for fit and finish. Speed3 would demolish it in terms of performance.

Looks like a Scion tC quite a bit. Maybe a little better.

Seems like great value for $13k-$15k, I just don't know that I could be happy w/ a car from that market segment. It's kick-ass though to be able to afford a decent looking new car on a high school/college student income, though you probably still get more value for that much money buying used. Selling a new car at 2 year old used car prices is going to be tough for Kia... 'cause I doubt that car is as nice as an '07 Civic.

Yeah, it's not a car for an enthusiast for sure. But I think it will sell a lot with the fuel economy package getting you about 29 combined MPG for that price.

As for vs. an '07 Civic... well, the Forte comes with a lot of goodies like handsfree Bluetooth with controls on the steering wheel, two 12V plugs on the bottom center console area, 60/40 split folding seats, etc. But I think the Kia loses for perception for reliability.

the only thing that will sell this car is the kickass warranty. An '07 japanese car is a bit nicer in terms of quality and image, but it will have a year of warranty left at best.