The 2014 Kia Forte is the fifth-generation of the compact sedan that the Hyundai subsidiary has released and for the latest version, Kia decided that it was time for a full redesign.

Featuring a more aggressive look, the 2014 Kia Forte is longer, lower and wider and significantly more eye-catching than its predecessor. It sports a more contoured chassis and by many accounts, the car bears a visual similarity to the Honda Civic.

"The all-new Forte effectively raises the bar on the compact segment with its upmarket features and striking design," Michael Sprague Kia executive vice president of marketing & communications in a canned statement, said. "And with its long-standing value story and reputation for quality, the Forte is now more of a complete package than ever and a fiercer contender within its competitive set."

2014 Kia Forte: Price & Specs

The 2014 Kia Forte comes in LX and EX variants, which start at around $16,000 and $18,000, respectively. The sedan, which is the Kia version of the Hyundai Elantra has a fairly decent specs sheet.

The 2014 Kia Forte LX has a 1.8-liter engine that produces 148 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 131 lb.-ft of torque at 4,700 RPM. It's equipped with variable valve timing, dual overhead cams and an 81-mm cylinder bore. The front suspension uses struts while the rear utilizes torsion beams. A manual transmission is available.

The 2014 Kia Forte EX is a little more robust, boasting a 2.0-liter engine that produces 173 horsepower. It has 154 lb.-ft of torque at 4,700 RPM and comes only with an automatic transmission.