Used 2019 Kia Forte Consumer Reviews
Used Forte for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
forte drive
aldinero, 10/31/2018
2019 Kia Forte S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
33 of 33 people found this review helpful
Great looking very comfortable car .Lots of fun to drive although not a great pickup.Ride and handling are very good and steering is first rate.Feels more like a mid size than a compact car.Lot of room inside both front and rear, controls are easy and very thought out.The only set back is that Kia removed the auto folding side view mirrors that were standard on all Kia cars.Overall very good value compared to other competitive cars.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
CVT Failure
Christian, 12/19/2019
2019 Kia Forte EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
26 of 26 people found this review helpful
had this car since april Drive it a lot because of work. at 18500 miles the CVT transmission has died on me. was at light and the car wouldn’t go until i turn off and turned on the from there on it moved slowly. there are multiple other people with the same issue just google forte cvt complaint. i brought it to the dealership and they said i need a new transmission, but there were 4 other fortes with the same problem so the part is on back order for 6 weeks. it is an amazing car, but this makes it a no go
13 mustang to a 19 forte
Jon, 03/20/2019
2019 Kia Forte LXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
39 of 40 people found this review helpful
I really love this car. I purchased it to replace my 2013 v6 mustang as a daily driver. It performs adequately for what it is. I would classify myself as a more aggressive driver and I have no issues getting on the freeway. The transmission is far better than I expected. Very rarely do i even realize it is a CVT. Snow performance is sub par if you live in a wintery area a different set of tires is advised. (I drove my mustang regularly in 10 inches of snow on blizzacks and it performed better) Pay for the heated mirrors they're worth it. The ride is stiff but it's not uncomfortable. Entertainment system is superb as well as the climate control. I regularly get 400+ miles on 11 gallons of gas. The automatic wipers arent fantastic. Interior quality is great I dont have any rattles and my state has some of the worst roads in the country. Great roadtrip car, the trunk is massive and I've had four 6 ft adults in the car for long periods of time with no complaints. I wish the trunk lining was a material with more grip as things slide around the trunk like crazy. Plenty of storage space though. I had one issue where a lightbulb burned out and Kia went above and beyond to resolve the issue. They even sent me a gift card in the mail for the inconvenience. Great car for the money would highly recommend.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Revamped, re-engineer and ready to rumble!
Haystack Calhoun, 03/27/2019
2019 Kia Forte LXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
35 of 36 people found this review helpful
Okay if you're like me you don't want to spend $30,000 on a sedan. You don't have money to throw away but yet you want a high technology car with a great warranty. Probably the first two cars that come to mine are from the Honda and Toyota line. However there's a new horse in town with the Kia Forte 2019. This is not the same car that you drove in the rental Fleet just last year. Kia up the game on this model put in lots of Technology like the Android nice 6 inch screen and the lane assist and frontal crash warning system all standard on all models. Then it threw in dual climate control and various other safety features like sound dampening windows to make this car ready to rumble. And also has a nice shift select thing near the transmission where you can choose what type of driving you want to do. So all these features are on all the models of Forte's . These various options are usually found on the Lexus and Infiniti models that people pay in the high 30s and 40,000. So you've got the technology you've got the safety and not so bad engine if there is any drowning point for this Forte it is the engine the 2.0 that has been around for quite a while. However they also added a chain drive CVT to the middle of the road model Forte which is called lxs which is the model I drive. And that is helping this car average 40 miles to the gallon . I have been around the Hyundai and Kia family since 2013. I have driven the old Forte and drive currently the Hyundai Elantra as a standard daily driver. Kia decided to up the game on this standard sedan to make it a truly awesome all the way around buy for the money. When you start seeing 40 miles to the gallon on the interstate the shortcomings are not as few. The drive is a little stiffer on the steering but it still holds curves about as well as anybody out there. And if you dial up the sport mode it makes the curves and the car sporty enough to satisfy a guy like me that can take some curves a little fast. Also for the entertaining of individuals that has Apple carplay an Android with a nice little 9 inch screen, and dual climate control which is standard in all models. Okay the big bottom line on this car is it can be had for the price of a used car. I was getting ready to buy a used Altima and then I saw this price point in the same category. I walked out of the dealership under 18,000 for a brand new car that has the same technology as a Lexus or a Infiniti. So my payments less then a used car and I don't have to suffer less safety features. So if you have half a brain you will test drive this new model and you will probably drive out with one. This car has been awesome as a daily driver and even has good road manners. You don't have to pay 30000 to have a awesome car. Save your money and go get this Kia Forte lxs and you won't be disappointed. Like I said in my title revamped , re-engineered and ready to rumble! Kia can be mentioned with Honda and Toyota now as a go-to option.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Not So Compact, Compact Car
Cnovalles73, 11/14/2018
2019 Kia Forte LXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
27 of 28 people found this review helpful
I went to a dealership to get a look at a 2016 Nissan Sentra and ended up leaving in a 2019 Forte LXS and couldn't be happier (so far). I've heard and read very good things about Kia but only recently learned they're the same company as Hyundai which, in terms of reliability, attracted me even more. I watched videos on car reviews talking about CVT transmissions and how people don't seem that crazy about them. I'll say this much about it: the Forte is not an "off the line" car by any means but the shifting is SO smooth and the transition from 2nd to 3rd and beyond is where the car seems to wake up; especially in 'sport mode'. You get what you pay for in the sense that this is a car that offers quite a lot but is intended to be affordable and competes in the compact segment so don't expect mid-size or full-size comfort; it has a very rough ride but Orlando has some pretty rough roads so I guess it is what it is. This is my 1st compact car in 13 years after owning four LARGE Fords and my very first Kia. If it lives up to its reputation I can see myself trading up to an Optima; time will tell.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
IT IS A KEEPER
Paul, 02/07/2019
2019 Kia Forte EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful
I have the EX Launch edition. It has almost every safety feature available and I am very pleased. My first choice was the Honda Civic, there were no incentives. Then I saw the features on the Forte and the price, bye Honda. The Forte has room,comfort and pleasing interior. It is a quiet car considering it is a compact and very road worthy. My other car is a Nissan Murano and I compare the Forte to be an equal,all things considered. A nice clean exterior and smooth design. Why green valve caps on black wheels? The Fortes trunk is very roomy with a hidden storage area under the trunk mat,nice. So far gas mileage is about 33mpg, I only have 513 miles on it. Harmon Kardom radio is fantastic! I do not have a heated steering wheel, darn, but the ventilated seats are really nice. I highly recommend this vehicle,never having a compact car, I traded a 2010 Mustang yeah I know, I am happy with my decision. My 11 year old grand kids miss the Pony but do have a lot of rear seat room.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great Commuter - Excellent Fuel Mileage
1911Garand, 06/27/2019
updated 01/07/2025
2019 Kia Forte FE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
Wow - is all I can say.. I paid $13,525 +TTL for my brand new, 2019 Kia Forte FE w/ the 6 speed manual. This car is very impressive in person. Coming from a large 2010 Impala, I was hesitant to get a smaller car. The Forte is larger than it thinks it is. Interior and truck are a perfect size. Excellent dash layout. AC blow cold almost instantly. QUIET engine and drivetrain. With my easy 75 mile round trip commute, I am AVERAGING 44mpg - amazing. Almost double what the 2010 impala got. I am 100% impressed and satisfied with this car. Feels like a Honda for 1/2 the price. Let's hope it makes is 200K. Now with 10K miles, 0 issues. Installed snow tires because the OEM Kumho Solus tires are horrible in the snow / ice. This car with snow tires get excellent traction on ice and snow. Now with 20K miles. 0 issues. I swear this 2019 Kia Forte drives, acts, and feels like a 2000's Honda Civic. A very solid car. Very easy to self maintain (oil changes, filters, transmission gear lube etc...) and easy to live with. Still getting excellent fuel mileage, 42-44 on highway trips, 35 around town which is amazing. Update- traded Forte in during cv19 for a Toyota sequoia at a Toyota dealership. The 2019 forte had 20k miles and I got more for trade in value than I originally paid for it due to vehicle shortages....great experience! Glad I got rid of this Kia. All sorts of problems with Kia vehicles. Friends and family having major engine problems on low mileage Kia vehicles. Google before you buy. Kia is Junk.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Long-term update still pleased with my Forte!
David W. Calhoun, 03/26/2019
updated 09/28/2020
2019 Kia Forte LXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
This car can maybe take away some people from buying only the Toyota, Honda, or Subaru in the mid- 30s and some some close to 40. This car can be had for the low 17 to 18 ratio. Making this 100000 mile warranty car with a load of features an awesome gas mileage. I was skeptical when first getting into this automobile. I have driven Forte's and loved Elantras a lot better from Hyundai Motors. Kia seems to be closing the gap and offering just as good of products their brother Hyundai Motors. The car has standard Lane assist and it will actually drive for you which is found on more expensive cars. It also has a nice Android display which allows Apple and Android carplay. Has a nice more expensive looking interior than previous generations. Also has automatic stop and various other safety features not found in this car class as a standard feature. Even dual climate control. Controls are adequate and radio is very strong. Sitting position for tall drivers is awesome. They actually may this driving Experience more elevated like an SUV. I love the sport mode the best for acceleration and curvy roads. But the smart mode on trips would get me around 44 miles per gallon. The trunk space and back seat room we're awesome. This is a great car all around. It has a lot of Technology for a lower price then most competitors. The price point is actually around what a good used car is for. So if you're considering a used car you might want to look at this model. Because you get a great warranty and you don't have to worry about it being from one of the recent weather tragedies which we have had a lot of water this winter in the south. So to me it is a no brainer I would rather have new than used. And at seventeen and some change I drove out with a high-tech great gas mileage sedan. It looks just as good as some of the high-dollar European sedans on the road. Cars like this make used cars less appealing. Drive-In and you will see what I mean. Not too shabby! Long-term update with around 30,000 miles of trouble-free driving. Just have done normal maintenance routine requirements. Love my gas mileage at average around 38 with mixed driving. And on my long-term trips I'm getting anywhere from 46 to 48 miles to the gallon. And this is in a car that has the room of a Chevy Impala, and a Toyota Camry. Because of its low price point I've already paid off the car. You can't say that about a lot of European cars. Like I'm saying guys if you're not wanting a Speed Racer car this is the one to choose. It's not fast at by any means out of the pocket. But it is so reasonable and so durable so far. Sedans aren't dead yet. With this Kia Forte they are very much alive. Already the safety features alone have been worth the price. I have really enjoyed my lxs which is the middle model of the Kia Forte's for the 2019 model. I'm telling you people instead of buying a used car. Go ahead and buy the Kia Forte lxs or the middle model. You will be glad you did over getting a used car. I recommend the pearl white color, and the all-new light green color. Totally happy! So happy but I bought a Kia for my wife. Stay away from the GDI engines and you will be happy. Also the Sorento with the V6 middle lxs model is also a awesome automobile. As well as the all new Kia Telluride SUV. And you can never go wrong with the Kia Souls as long as you get the 2.0 or the non GDI engine. Kia has very awesome products now! Game on!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great sedan and warranty
Rich, 02/13/2020
2019 Kia Forte S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Picked up a 2019 Forte S at a great price. Had a 2015 Forte EX and this new car is significantly larger with more interior and trunk room. Kia changed the auto transmission from a 6 speed to a "IVT" which is essentially a CVT. However, Kia has designed it to respond similar to a traditional automatic. Its shift response is much better than a typical CVT. A bit disappointed that it had forward collision warning and lane keeping assist but not blind spot monitoring (corrected in 2020 with the GT Line trim - S trim discontinued). Also of note, if you purchase the sun roof option LED headlights with HBA are included and makes this vehicle a IHHS Top Safety Pick +. One design issue that seems to be appearing in many new Kia and Hyundai vehicles is that the wipers (when in park position) can not clear the hood which prevents moving the wipers from the windshield prior to a snow storm. One reviewer noted that Kia removed the auto retract side mirrors. That has always only been standard on trim lines EX and above.
Lemon! Terrible luck with this car!
Annemarie Jalbert, 05/15/2020
2019 Kia Forte LXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
16 of 19 people found this review helpful
I bought a new 2019 Kia Forte from Dan O'Brien Kia in Concord NH. I have had nothing but problems with this car. First transmission replaced at 26, 000 mile... Second transmission replaced at 32,000 miles. I am currently on my 3rd transmission since I bought the car a year ago. In both cases, the car stalled driving on the highway, with kids in the car!! Both near death experiences but Kia doesn't seem to care. Attitudes in the service department at Dan O'Brian Kia!!! They treat you like you don't know what you are talking about even though the transmission blew twice. I will never buy a KIA again....KIA...stands for Killed In Action!!!!!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value