What's New
- Harman/Kardon audio, connected navigation, wireless charging and app-based remote climate control now standard on EX
- Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts not standard on GT
- Manual-transmission GT models now sport stickier Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires
Pros & Cons
- Packed with technology but not expensive
- Compelling visual design inside and out
- Sporty Turbocharged GT offers manual transmission, lots of fun
- Not as sporty as competing vehicles
- Limited color and feature choices on base models
- CVT transmission models aren’t very fun to drive
Kia Forte Overview
The Forte is Kia’s challenger to cars like the Honda Civic, Mazda3, and Volkswagen Jetta. Like those cars, it offers a little something for everyone, from budget-minded base models up to an enthusiast-focused, turbocharged GT. Completely redesigned in 2019, the current-generation of Forte hasn’t changed much since, and it’s the sportiest it’s ever been. The top-spec GT makes a credible play for the market once dominated by the VW Jetta GLI and Honda Civic Si.
The Forte borrows its interior theme and exterior cues from the much pricier Stinger sports sedan, with a floating eight-inch touch-screen display flanked by aircraft-style circular air vents to create a clean driver-focused cabin. All the requisites are there: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard on every trim, as are automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and lane keep assist systems. The Forte’s 15.3 cubic-foot trunk is bigger than either the Corolla or Jetta, and interior room is good too.
In daily commuting, the lower-trim Fortes deliver an inoffensive ride, but their CVT transmission and 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine aren’t particularly engaging. For weekend backroad touring or more fun, the turbocharged, 201-horsepower 1.6-liter Forte GT, armed with a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, is the trim to pick.
At the upper end of the range, Kia lavishes the Forte with standard features without jacking up the price. A Civic Sport priced similarly to the Forte GT doesn’t include for the leather seats, built-in navigation and LED headlamps that come standard on the Kia. Many of these features are standard on the even cheaper EX as well.
Trim Specifications
Even the most inexpensive Forte FE model feels well-equipped: an 8-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration come standard, as does a suite of active safety features including automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist. A base manual-transmission Forte FE runs $18,885 including destination fees. Stepping up to the LXS trim for another $1,600 nets a continuously variable transmission as well as alloy wheels, a split-folding rear seat and nicer interior trim. The upper-mid EX trim adds LED taillamps, 340-watt Harman/Kardon sound, heated and ventilated front seats, wireless charging and Kia’s UVO Link suite of app-commanded remote controls for $24,085 after destination fees. EX models also get some additional driver assistance features including blind spot monitoring with lane change assist, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and driver attention warnings.
The GT-Line starts as an LXS, adds black gloss exterior accents and a racy flat-bottom steering wheel borrowed from the top-trim GT model, but omits its go-fast bits. Fire Orange paint is available exclusively on the GT-Line, as are its white-stitched leatherette seats. At $21,485 including destination fees, the GT-Line trades a few EX perks for some GT style.
FE, LXS, EX and GT-Line trims all share the base 2.0-liter engine. The rapid Forte GT is the only model to get the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, and comes standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. As in the GT-Line, the GT foregoes the EX’s sunroof, automatic climate control and upscale sound system in favor of LED headlamps, an active exhaust system and red-stitched leatherette. The GT starts at $23,785; a $2,000 GT2 package adds back the EX’s niceties in addition to adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. The fully loaded GT Manual incorporates every available Forte feature and gets different gearing from the manual int eh base FE. At $24,385 after destination charge, the Kia Forte GT undercuts the Toyota Corolla XSE by $2,500 and the Honda Civic Touring by $4,900.
Warranty
5 Years/60,000 Miles
10 Years/100,000 Miles
5 Years/100,000 Miles
5 Years/60,000 Miles