Is the Kia Forte too slow for enthusiasts?

For driving enthusiasts, the Kia Forte is often heavily derided for its relatively anemic performance, especially in the base and mid range trims. The car is intended for efficient, comfortable daily driving, but some buyers and owners argue whether it’s exciting enough behind the wheel. Forte’s acceleration, handling and all around driving dynamics often come up in whether Forte is a better car than others in compact car segment as sportier alternatives. It's sometimes suggested that the GT trim, with its more powerful engine and sport tuned suspension, is the answer, but if it really does scratch the itches of performance oriented drivers or if it's just a compromise is questionable. The central question here is whether affordable compact cars really should be either practical and efficient or fun to drive.