Compact cars have come a long way

Remember the first time you rode in a compact car? Mine was in the early ‘90s when I road in a Hyundai Excel that was only a few years old. The door handle didn’t work on the driver’s side, the paint was peeling and it sounded like it wouldn’t make it to our luncheon. Today, compact cars are no longer equated to the terms “econobox” or “piece of [insert your favorite expletive]”.

Compact cars can be sporty, luxurious and even roomy while still able to maneuver the busy urban landscape. Two compacts we recently looked at are the redesigned 2013 Nissan Sentra SL and 2014 Kia Forte EX. Both test models represent the upper range, including leather seats, navigation, heated seats and more. But one is reserved and one has more flare. I couldn’t help but notice how far compact cars have come since the 1980s.

Let’s get the pricing out of the way — our 2013 Nissan Sentra SL tipped the scales at a tested price of $22,400. Our 2014 Kia Forte EX was, surprisingly, a little more expensive at $25,515. You might be thinking that these are pricey for compact cars, but that’s part of how the market has changed. Now you don’t have to go big to get a car loaded with features.

The Nissan Sentra SL sports a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine putting out 130-hp while delivering 30/39 mpg city/hwy — and is the only engine available. The Kia Forte EX has two engine options: a more economical 1.8-liter 148-hp four-cylinder and a 2.0-liter 173-hp four-cylinder engine. Our test car had the latter, which accounts for some of the increase in price over the Sentra. It will also see a lesser mpg rating at 24/36 mpg city/hwy.

These two cars are both in the same class as compacts, but they approach it from very different angles. The Sentra SL is like a good pair of practical shoes. It isn’t flashy and will get you up to speed and down the road with leather, heated seats, navigation and the class-leading CVT transmission (it doesn’t shift from gear to gear). It’s smooth, but not sporty. The Forte EX focuses on a younger generation with a more aggressive design, brighter colors like Abyss blue and the premium package which adds heated front and rear seats, ventilated or cooled driver seat, memory driver seat and a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode (they call it Sportmatic).

The Sentra has strong points other than speed and features. For 2013, Nissan focused on its usability and passenger comfort with 0.2 inches more cargo room than that of the Kia and also has 1.5 inches more rear legroom. However, you will want to note rear headroom and front and rear hiproom are less in the Sentra.

So which one do you choose? I was drawn to the luxury and high-tech features of the Forte — sportier on the road yet boasting room and comfort. The Nissan Sentra SL will find a good home for those looking for something more reserved, and with a smoother and quieter driving experience.