Motorweek Sport Compact Comparison

"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
08/03/2014 at 11:08 • Filed to: None

http://www.motorweek.org/reviews/compar…

I found this surprising. I expected the FiST to be first but they put it 3rd behind the GTi and WRX. Of course they didn't include the Sonic RS, and I think we all know that would have been first

DISCUSSION (19)

djmt1 > Jayhawk Jake
08/03/2014 at 11:17

Americans seem to have a wide definition of "compact".

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > djmt1
08/03/2014 at 11:28

As an American, I would have to say I just think Motorweek made their list of cars after 2 hours at the bar. Like the Fiat and WRX in the same group is going to suggest any sort of competitiveness.?!

djmt1 > Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
08/03/2014 at 11:31

2 hours would imply at least a minimum level of competence. I going with a 20 min session on Google, not images though. Seriously what about the Juke screams compact. I guess everything is relative.

Nibbles > Jayhawk Jake
08/03/2014 at 11:41

Putting the Abarth at the bottom of the list is sacrelige

The Transporter > djmt1
08/03/2014 at 12:21

That two hours constituted the time from start to end. Once you subtract all of the pints, shots, and bullshitting, the actual time discussing what constitutes "compact" was probably less than 5 minutes.

Jayhawk Jake > Nibbles
08/03/2014 at 13:35

It's kinda accurate though. It's a ton of fun, but the MSRP and practicality hit it hard

Jayhawk Jake > djmt1
08/03/2014 at 13:37

I don't know why motor week called this a compact comparison. Would have been fine if not for the WRX, Forte, and GTi. If you include those you should include the Focus ST as well.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Jayhawk Jake
08/03/2014 at 14:47

I have a strange desire for the Forte5 SX.

Jayhawk Jake > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/03/2014 at 15:14

I'm sure the driving dynamics aren't great, but it looks like a fantastic package for a DD. I really want to drive one.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Jayhawk Jake
08/03/2014 at 15:18

The only real problem with them is their cost with any options. You can get a loaded ST for less than a semi-loaded Forte5.

Jayhawk Jake > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/03/2014 at 16:27

Not really. A similarly equipped Fiesta ST is only a few hundred less, but the Forte 5 is Focus sized.

A fully loaded Forte 5 SX with manual is $26k. That's an ST2 Focus. To get all the sort of features in the same Forte5 would take $28k for the Focus ST.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Jayhawk Jake
08/03/2014 at 16:32

Yeah, but it has the power of the Fiesta with the weight and size of the Focus.

Jayhawk Jake > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/03/2014 at 16:43

So it's a bigger Fiesta with more features than a similarly priced Focus.

Not everyone is after the maximum performance numbers alone.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Jayhawk Jake
08/03/2014 at 16:51

Yeah, that's true. I guess it would come down to what is worth more to you. Also, I bet the Kia is more comfortable. It also would have a better warranty. So there are bonuses that outweigh the negatives for most drivers.

Jayhawk Jake > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/03/2014 at 17:10

Also, for as good as the ST twins are to drive, there are other things that not everyone likes about them. For instance, I can't stand the Recaros. They're too tight for me, so I couldn't buy them, and the cloth seats in the Fiesta at least are horrible . I'm also not a huge fan of Sync (although I could get used to it), and I don't think they are that stylish.

SO with that all said, I'd be giving up a lot for performance alone to get an ST. There are plenty of other people who would have similar opinions to me that might chose something else even if it means sacrificing performance.

Of course you'd have to find a Forte 5 SX. As I mentioned before I want to drive one, but the Kia dealer in town has never had one as far as I can tell. Only EXs, only with automatic.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Jayhawk Jake
08/03/2014 at 17:22

I've never heard anything good about SYNC.

Jayhawk Jake > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/03/2014 at 17:33

It's gotten better, but it's still a bit hit or miss in my experience. I've used Sync, MMI, and the basic MyLink in my car. The Sync is in my Dad's 2011 Edge. When he first got it it had a bunch of bugs: the maps were really slow to load and the radio would forget how to shuffle if you got out of the car. It's been patched and works now, but it's not spectacular like MMI. MMI is fantastic: simple, intuitive, a pleasure to use, and always works. MyLink in the Sonic is very basic and it works really well, I just wish there were more options to customize it a bit better (for example, if I plug in my phone it automatically starts playing music off it, I don't want it to do that).

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Jayhawk Jake
08/03/2014 at 17:39

Basic is better for me, I've been using an cheap Walmart special Pioneer head unit. I don't need fancy. I want it, but don't need it. It's just another distraction.

Jayhawk Jake > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/03/2014 at 17:46

I think there's a balance. Sync is too much, MyLink in the sonic is borderline too little. MMI does a lot, but it's easy enough to use that it's not distracting. I'm a fan.