What is the Forte?
While some automakers have abandoned the sedan market in favor of more popular and more profitable SUVs, there are still a few affordable four-doors for sale. The 2024 Kia Forte is a prime example, with a base price that undercuts every one of the South Korean automaker's crossovers and SUVs. But don't let the low barrier of entry fool you; the Forte offers solid value thanks to a respectable list of standard and available features, a comfortable and quiet interior, and one of the largest trunks you'll find in a car this size.
Kia hasn't announced any official changes for the 2024 Forte, but we don't expect any significant updates. Kia made some small tweaks for 2023, including making adaptive cruise control standard on the GT trim and renaming the fuel-efficient FE trim as the LX. (The impressive fuel economy figures carry over to the new trim too.)
The Forte wins big on value, but it falls a bit short of rivals in some other areas. We found the ride quality to be stiff, which we might forgive if the car were a bit sportier or more fun to drive. As it stands, even the turbocharged GT model's performance feels a bit weak compared to the competition. Rear seat legroom is tight, too, especially compared to rivals like the Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic, and it doesn't feel as premium inside as the Mazda 3. But those things aside, the Forte is a compelling package, especially for the price.