Based on its looks, Kia is hoping you’ll see the 2021 Forte and think of the brand’s excellent Stinger sports sedan, but this compact car is more value-focused than performance-oriented. Its starting price is thousands less than segment leaders such as the Honda Civic, the Mazda 3, and the Toyota Corolla, but the Kia delivers similar features, excellent fuel economy, and plenty of style. Buyers will get a fairly anemic 147-hp four-cylinder in most trims but a 201-hp turbocharged four is included in the speedier GT model. That version’s driving dynamics live up to its sporty looks, but the rest of the lineup doesn’t offer much in the way of fun. It does, however, deliver a calm, easy ride and lends itself well to highway cruising duties.