2024 Kia Forte

Price Range: $19,990 - $25,390 ^{Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.}

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The Forte is a grown-up small sedan that's a fantastic value for the money with above-average utility. Other highlights include a comfortable, quiet interior and an extensive list of available features. However, it lags well behind top competitors in driving dynamics, ride quality and rear legroom.

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2024 Kia Forte Review

byChristian Wardlaw^{Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.},

rating written byWill Kaufman^{Senior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax
Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at Edmunds. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.}

Pros

Loaded with features at a lower price than most competitors
High fuel economy
Easy-to-use tech and infotainment system
Generous warranty

Cons

Ride quality is a bit too stiff at times
Back seat lacks the room of some rivals

What's new

Forward collision assistance now standard on the GT-Line
GT-Line Tech package features now standard equipment
Part of the third Forte generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Modern small cars are more stylish, sophisticated and technologically advanced than ever. While they still commonly serve as the entry point to a brand, they frequently deserve a descriptor other than entry-level. Case in point: the 2024 Kia Forte. Though it's been half a decade since Kia's compact sedan got a complete redesign, it remains an appealing choice backed up by an industry-leading warranty. It provides lots of value for your dollar as well as pleasing performance in the GT-Line and GT trims. For 2024, the GT-Line now includes navigation-based adaptive cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist collision avoidance, and a parking brake with an auto-hold function. Previously they were all part of an option package.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2024 Kia Forte LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$126/mo

$184/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Edmunds spotlight: Crash test ratings

Top-notch crash test ratings are often top of mind for small car shoppers. While it generally earns high marks, the 2023 Forte earned a Poor rating in updated small overlap front-impact and side-impact tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the Forte four stars out of five for front passenger protection in a front-impact collision.

Competitors to consider

There are several worthy alternatives to the Kia Forte. For example, the Hyundai Elantra matches the Kia's warranty and exceeds the Forte with complimentary maintenance and a long free trial to connected services. Alternatively, consider the Honda Civic for its roomy seating or the Mazda 3 for its style and cabin refinement. Be sure to read our full Expert Rating on the Forte below to learn more about where it stands out and where it comes up short.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.9

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.0/10

How does the Forte drive? In routine driving, the Forte feels adequately punchy. At Edmunds' test track, our test Forte covered 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds, which is an average time for the class. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) generally works well but at times feels unpolished. It delivers power promptly when commanded, but it's too eager to drop revs when you ease off the throttle slightly. It can make for surging power delivery.

We're also not overly impressed with the Forte's handling. The steering weight is fine but offers little feedback, and the on-center feel is vague. While the Forte corners relatively flat, it can get unsettled by midcorner bumps.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the Forte? The Forte is more comfortable than most cars in the class. The seats are nicely contoured for long-distance comfort, and the headrests are soft and unobtrusive. Road noise is ably quelled, and only a mild amount of wind and ambient noise seeps through. The dual-zone automatic climate control works well. We also like that Kia offers ventilated front seats, although the cooling effect isn't especially powerful.

The biggest knock against the Forte here is its stiff suspension. It's OK on rough pavement or shallow imperfections, but it struggles to smooth out larger bumps. The rear suspension, in particular, is especially troubled by uneven bumps.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

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2024 Kia Forte pricing

in Columbus, OH

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Interior

8.0/10

How’s the interior? Kia has done an excellent job designing the Forte's interior. A mix of textures makes the well-built interior look grown-up and refined. The controls are logical and easy to find, and the infotainment is easy to navigate, with physical buttons for important features. The seating position and steering wheel both offer a wide range of adjustability.

The front seat is roomy with plenty of knee and shoulder room. Taller drivers have sufficient headroom, too. Rear-seat knee room falls short compared to class leaders (and the hard plastic seatbacks don't help), but headroom is an issue only for passengers over 6 feet tall.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? Overall, the Forte offers a lot of well-integrated features. The touchscreen interface is easy to use, and the upgraded audio system sounds sharp as long as you don't turn it up too loud. The native voice system recognizes basic controls with little confusion, though you have to follow a structured set of commands.

Every Forte comes with forward collision mitigation, and a blind-spot warning system is available on midtier trims and above. It's a little disappointing that adaptive cruise control isn't standard on most of the Forte's trim levels. It's standard on many competitors. In testing, all systems worked well and avoided false alerts.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? The Forte is quite a handy vehicle for its size. The trunk is large for this class and boasts a wide, flat load floor and generous opening. The rear seats also have a 60/40 split and can fold forward to allow you to fit longer items.

Inside the cabin, options abound for small-item storage with some neat little trays and a decently sized center console box. Planning to put a child safety seat in the back? We mounted a rear-facing bulky one in the center position and found that there was plenty of room for the folks up front. This compact sedan is practical enough that you might find yourself questioning the need for a larger model like the midsize Kia K5.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? Fuel economy is excellent, and the EPA estimates the Forte with the base engine will get 32 mpg combined (or 34 mpg for the FE trim). We fell a bit short in our real-world driving tests but saw better returns in the Forte than in most competitors.

Value

9.0/10

Is the Forte a good value? The Forte makes an undeniably strong value statement. It has a slightly different equipment balance than competitors, but you'll pay less for lots of features. The quality of the interior design also belies the below-average price. Cost-cutting is not all that apparent until you really start looking.

Kia and its corporate cousin, Hyundai, offer the best warranty in the business right now, with six years/60,000 miles of basic coverage and 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain. Roadside assistance, offered for five years/60,000 miles, is also good for the class, though Hyundai edges it out slightly with unlimited mileage over the same period.

Wildcard

7.0/10

The Forte is a small car that you can show off because it doesn't give the impression of being an economy bargain pick. The strength of this car is that it's an affordable vehicle that doesn't make you feel as if you've compromised. But it also doesn't exhibit the same fun-to-drive dynamics that make the Civic and Mazda 3 so rewarding to pilot.

Which Forte does Edmunds recommend?

We recommend the LXS. It marries an affordable price and a terrific warranty with upgrades such as alloy wheels and improved interior materials. Be sure to add the Technology package for blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning systems.

Kia Forte models

The 2024 Kia Forte is a compact sedan offered in five trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, GT and GT Manual. The LX, LXS and GT-Line use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower, 132 lb-ft of torque) and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The GT and GT Manual have a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (201 hp, 195 lb-ft) and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (GT) or six-speed manual (GT Manual).

LX
The base trim comes standard with:

15-inch steel wheels
Cruise control with steering wheel controls
Multiple driving modes
8-inch touchscreen display
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
Four-speaker audio system

Every Forte also comes with these advanced driver safety features:

Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
Lane centering system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

LXS
The LXS trim adds a few features, including:

16-inch alloy wheels
60/40-split folding rear seats
Upgraded interior trim

The optional LXS Technology package beefs up the driver aids and conveniences with:

Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your path while you're in reverse)
Safe exit assist (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind)
Heated side mirrors

GT-Line
The GT-Line sits in the middle of the lineup. It adds the LXS Technology package, along with:

17-inch alloy wheels
LED foglights
LED running lights and taillights
Keyless entry and push-button start
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Cloth sport seats with synthetic leather inserts
Leather-wrapped flat-bottom sport steering wheel
10.25-inch infotainment display
Navigation system
Six-speaker audio system
Adaptive cruise control with lane centering (maintains a driver-set distance between the Forte and the car in front)
Pedestrian and cyclist collision avoidance
Electronic parking brake with an auto-hold function

Two option packages are available for the GT-Line: GT-Line Premium and GT-Line Sport Premium.

The GT-Line Premium package adds the following:

Power sunroof
LED cabin lighting
Wireless charging pad
Eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system

The GT-Line Sport Premium package builds on the Premium package with:

Power-adjustable driver's seat
Synthetic leather upholstery
Heated and ventilated front seats
Rear-seat air conditioning vents
Rear-seat USB charging port

GT
This is the sport-oriented Forte. It comes with a turbocharged engine and a choice between a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an optional six-speed manual. Otherwise, it builds on the GT-Line's features with:

18-inch wheels
LED headlights
Sport suspension
Sport exhaust system
Upgraded brakes
Black synthetic leather and cloth seats with red stitching
Wireless charging pad
Rear air-conditioning vents and USB charging port

The GT equipped with the automatic transmission also comes with:

Cyclist collision avoidance
Adaptive cruise control

A GT2 package installs the following features on the GT with the automatic:

Power sunroof
LED interior lighting
Full synthetic leather upholstery
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated and ventilated front seats
Harman Kardon audio system
Rear parking sensors

GT Manual
The GT Manual trim loses a few active driving aids due to its transmission but adds these standard features:

Summer performance tires
Power sunroof
LED interior lighting
Full synthetic leather upholstery
Heated front seats
Eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system
Rear parking sensors

Kia Forte Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.5

36 reviews

5(72%)

4(14%)

3(6%)

2(8%)

1(0%)

Write a vehicle review See all 36 reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Luxury features without the luxury price!

Dylan Shepard, 08/17/2023

2023 Kia Forte GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

I am in love with this car! I won’t lie I am a Ford guy, but since Ford stopped making the Focus and the Fusion, I had to look elsewhere for a car. This forte GT line hits the sweet spot for me! MRSP was 26k (I paid 24k) and you get features like heated and cooled leather power seats. Premium sound system. Navigation based adaptive cruise control (provides semi-automated driving on …

Forte GT 1.6 Turbo

Mario Barrabi, 02/18/2023

2023 Kia Forte GT 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Fun car to drive. Good on gas. Economical with lots of extras. Better warranty than Honda and Toyota

Technology Genius

Tee, 08/21/2022

2023 Kia Forte GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

This car has all the additions you would expect in a car that is special ordered costing way more. The quality is exceptional! It drives and maneuvers like a much larger car. Great pickup speed and great gas mileage!

Smooth drive

Jerry P., 06/29/2023

2023 Kia Forte LXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

I've had my Forte LXS for just over 2 months now. What a great car! It drives quiet and smooth. I really haven't driven it any long distances yet so around town my MPG is about 29. When we visit our kids out of state, we'll get some highway numbers. I'm familiar now (about time) on how to use all the safety features and how to use scroll through the cluster on the dashboard to customize …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2024 Kia Forte, so we've included reviews for other years of the Forte since its last redesign.

See all 36 reviews of the Kia Forte

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2024 Kia Forte video

These Are the Cheapest New Cars, Trucks & SUVs on Sale Today | Best Affordable Cars for 2024

The average price of a new car may be at a record high, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few solid and affordable vehicles left on the market. In this video, Edmunds' Nick Yekikian dives into the cheapest new cars, trucks and SUVs on sale today.

2024 Kia Forte Features Specs

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$19,990
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	34 MPG
Cost to Drive	$126/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Compare the Kia Forte

Compare selected vehiclesSee full list of Small sedans rankings

Kia Forte vs. Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is more than just our favorite compact car. It is the Edmunds Top Rated model across all car classes (not including electrics). Though it costs more than the Kia Forte, the Honda Civic is fun to drive, equipped with the right tech, and constructed with care from quality materials. It also comes with two years of complimentary maintenance. But the Honda can't match the Kia when it comes to warranty protection and roadside assistance. See what it's like to live with the Honda Civic by reading the Edmunds long-term road test.

Compare Kia Forte & Honda Civic features

Kia Forte vs. Hyundai Elantra

The Kia Forte's corporate cousin is the Hyundai Elantra. However, in addition to the standard lineup, the Elantra comes in both hybrid and performance-tuned N variants, while the Forte does not. The Hyundai also offers a longer list of ownership perks, such as unlimited mileage roadside assistance, complimentary scheduled maintenance, and more generous ownership perks. While the styling might not be to everyone's preference, and the Elantra is more expensive, the Hyundai deserves careful consideration.

Compare Kia Forte & Hyundai Elantra features

Kia Forte vs. Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is an accomplished all-arounder, pairing the automaker's reputation for reliability with simplicity, practicality and even style. You can get the Corolla with available all-wheel drive or with a hybrid drivetrain, and it comes with a long list of standard driver assist systems. And it comes with two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance. It's not the most exciting choice in this segment, but there are lots of reasons to consider this Toyota.

Compare Kia Forte & Toyota Corolla features

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Forte safety features:

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist: Applies the brakes automatically to avoid a collision with an obstacle in front of the vehicle. Includes pedestrian detection with the automatic transmission.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist: Alerts the driver to the presence of other vehicles in the car's blind spots and can actively brake to prevent a collision (not available with GT Manual).
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist: Monitors for moving traffic behind the vehicle when in reverse and can automatically brake (not available with GT Manual).

NHTSA Overall Rating 4 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	4 / 5
Driver	4 / 5
Passenger	3 / 5
Side Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings	Rating
Front Seat	5 / 5
Back Seat	5 / 5
Rollover	Rating
Rollover	4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result	No Tip
Risk Of Rollover	10.7%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test	Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated	Poor
Side Impact Test – Original	Good
Side Impact Test – Updated	Poor
Roof Strength Test	Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Good

FAQ

Is the Kia Forte a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 Forte both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.9 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2024 Forte gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 36 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Forte has 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Kia Forte. Learn more

What's new in the 2024 Kia Forte?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Kia Forte:

Forward collision assistance now standard on the GT-Line
GT-Line Tech package features now standard equipment
Part of the third Forte generation introduced for 2019

Learn more

Is the Kia Forte reliable?

To determine whether the Kia Forte is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Forte. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Forte's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2024 Kia Forte a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Kia Forte is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 Forte and gave it a 7.9 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 Forte gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 36 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 Forte is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2024 Kia Forte?

The least-expensive 2024 Kia Forte is the 2024 Kia Forte LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $19,990.

Other versions include:

LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $19,990
LXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $20,490
GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $22,490
GT 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $24,690
GT 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $25,390

Learn more

What are the different models of Kia Forte?

If you're interested in the Kia Forte, the next question is, which Forte model is right for you? Forte variants include LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), LXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), and GT 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM). For a full list of Forte models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2024 Kia Forte

Pricing

2024 Kia Forte Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Kia Forte LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds spotlight: Crash test ratings

Competitors to consider

Performance

Comfort

Save as much as $1,689 with Edmunds Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.

2024 Kia Forte pricing

Edmunds suggests you pay

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Forte does Edmunds recommend?

Kia Forte models

Kia Forte Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Luxury features without the luxury price!

Forte GT 1.6 Turbo

Technology Genius

Smooth drive

2024 Kia Forte video

These Are the Cheapest New Cars, Trucks & SUVs on Sale Today | Best Affordable Cars for 2024

2024 Kia Forte Features Specs

Compare the Kia Forte

Kia Forte vs. Honda Civic

Kia Forte vs. Hyundai Elantra

Kia Forte vs. Toyota Corolla

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Forte safety features:

NHTSA Overall Rating 4 out of 5 stars

IIHS Rating

2024 Kia Forte First Impressions

FAQ

Is the Kia Forte a good car?

What's new in the 2024 Kia Forte?

Is the Kia Forte reliable?

Is the 2024 Kia Forte a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2024 Kia Forte?

What are the different models of Kia Forte?

Related 2024 Kia Forte info

Vehicle rankings by type

Other popular Kia reviews and ratings

More Sedans to consider

Photos

Automotive News

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2024 Kia Forte LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Save as much as $1,689 with Edmunds ^{Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.}