New 2024 KIA Forte Compact Sedan Ultimate Review

2024 KIA Forte is a compact sedan that sits between the Rio subcompact and the mid-range K5 in the automaker’s lineup. The current Forte model is one of the higher-rated Edmunds compact sedans.

Our editors praised the Forte for its refined interior design, easy-to-use technology, and ample storage space. Its handling and quiet on the road, however, left us wanting a rougher road. The Forte competes with vehicles like the top-rated Honda Civic, the sportier Mazda 3, the reliable Toyota Corolla, and Forte’s sister company, the Hyundai Elantra.

For the 2022 model year, Forte received several important changes. The styling of the front and rear is refreshed with a slimmer grille, headlights, and a revised taillight design for a more aggressive yet modern look. Many safety features are standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In South Korea, Kia’s home market, the Forte was rebranded as K3 to better align it with the K5, the new midsize sedan that replaces the Kia Optima for the 2021 model year. Given those moves and Kia’s filing for a US trademark for the K5, we think there’s an opportunity.

Great for a completely redesigned model to come here. That said, this may not be the case for the 2024 KIA Forte model year, as the worldwide shortage of chips has led to several delays. As seen now, the 2024 KIA Forte will most likely continue with a few changes.

2024 KIA Forte Review

The Forte is a mature compact sedan that offers excellent value for the money and above-average utility. A comfortable, peaceful interior and an extensive list of available features are additional highlights. In terms of driving dynamics, ride quality, and rear legroom, it trails significantly behind top competitors.

Small vehicles today are more fashionable, sophisticated, and technologically advanced than ever before. In spite of the fact that they continue to serve as the entry point to a brand, they frequently merit a term other than “entry-level.” Instance: the 2024 Kia Forte. Even though it’s been five years since Kia’s compact sedan received a complete redesign, it remains a desirable option backed by an industry-leading warranty. In the GT-Line and GT versions, it offers a lot of value for the money and satisfactory performance.

• Loaded with features at a price lower than the majority of rivals
• Low gasoline consumption
• Simple technology and entertainment system
• Generous assurance

In normal driving conditions, the Forte feels adequately peppy. At Edmunds’ test track, our test Forte accelerated from zero to sixty miles per hour in 8.7 seconds, which is average for the class.

The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) performs admirably but occasionally feels rough. It responds quickly to power commands, but it is overly eager to drop revs when the throttle is gently released. It can result in fluctuating power delivery.

We are not particularly impressed with the Forte’s handling, either. The steering weight is adequate, but it provides little feedback, and the feeling at the center is indistinct. While the Forte corners are relatively level, mid-corner bumps can unsettle it.

2024 KIA Forte Compact Sedan

The 2024 KIA Forte is one of the most popular Compact Sedans on the automotive market. It 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. The 2024 KIA Forte with updates makes adaptive cruise control standard on the GT trim and renames the fuel-efficient FE trim to LX.

The 2024 KIA Forte GT with turbocharged performance could be a consideration in choosing a more performance type of car.

This review is truly a tale of two Fortes, with the base FE representing the best time spent at the gas station and the manual-transmission GT being the worst, or at least the most frequent visitor.

The two engines on offer in the 2024 KIA Forte make all the difference. The non-turbocharged one turns this car into relaxing suburban sightseeing. The turbo unit will inspire owners to want to venture out of town in search of more entertaining trails.

Two engines, one body. It looks different on the outside, roomy enough for four adults inside, and has a trunk that is one of the most spacious in a car of this type.

It’s still a wise move to investigate the Honda Civic and Mazda3, not only for the way they drive but also for their refinement. But if finances were a little tighter, the new Forte could be a sweet option.

The Kia Forte is the smallest sedan in Kia’s lineup and recently underwent a refresh for the 2022 model year. We’ve heard rumors of a possible bigger refresh for the 2024 KIA Forte model year, but so far details are scarce.

We’re not sure exactly what the refresh will look like, but, oddly, it will be after the facelift. The Forte is currently only given sportier front and rear fascia, a new Kia badge, and a few changes to the interior. If a new generation does come, we expect it to be very different from what we see now.

Forte currently has two engines available. The base powertrain is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a continuously variable transmission that produces 147 horsepower and manages 33 mpg in a combination of city and highway driving.

The Forte GT model comes with a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. These machines are usually equipped with a seven-speed automatic, but a six-speed manual is available as an option.

The Forte GT may not be a true sports compact like the Volkswagen GTI or Hyundai Veloster N, but it does compete fairly with the Honda Civic Si and Hyundai Elantra N.

Active safety features on the Forte include standard forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane guard assistance, and driver attention monitoring.

Higher trim levels have access to options that add blind-spot monitoring with rear traffic alerts, safe exit warning, cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and parking sensors.

Read next: Exclusive! New 2024 KIA Sorento Mid-Size SUV Review

2024 KIA Forte Specs

The third-generation Forte compact sedan was launched in 2019. Kia added a sportier topline GT DCT trim level (now GT Premium) for 2020, complete with 201-hp, a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder, and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The 2022 model comes with several upgrades including new front and rear designs, a newly available 10.25-inch widescreen navigation display, and a suite of new and improved safety technologies.

The base engine for most trims (LX MT, LX, EX, EX+, EX Premium, and GT-Line) is a 147-hp 2.0L four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission.

The GT Premium is powered by a 201-hp, turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder linked to a seven-speed DCT.

2024 KIA Forte Models

2024 KIA Forte Favorite Features

• TURBOCHARGED GT ENGINE
  With an automatic transmission, this engine is no thirstier than the 2.0-liter unit in the lower trim. And the way it brings the driving experience to life is sure to make some buyers feel that it’s worth the extra money.
• 10.25-INCH INFOTAINMENT TOUCHSCREEN
  It is present in the GT Line trim levels. It has clear graphics and just looks more modern, as the trend is for bigger screens. The system itself is also user-friendly.

Standard Features

While most new cars have it these days, it’s worth looking into a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking that’s installed as standard on the 2024 KIA Forte. It also has lane departure warning and lane following assistance.

Other standard equipment includes 15-inch steel wheels, single-zone air conditioning, fabric upholstery, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto wireless smartphone integration, Bluetooth, a USB port, an auxiliary audio input jack, and four speakers.

2024 KIA Forte Interior

Kia did an outstanding job designing the interior of the Forte. A combination of textures gives the well-built interior a mature and refined appearance. The controls are intuitive and easy to locate, and the infotainment system is simple to navigate, with tangible buttons for key functions. Both the seating position and the steering control are highly adjustable.

The front settee provides ample space for knees and shoulders. Even taller drivers have adequate headroom. Rear-seat knee room falls short of class leaders (and the hard plastic seatbacks don’t help), but only occupants over 6 feet tall will have issues with headroom.

Kia takes inspiration from premium European cars for the 2024 KIA Forte cabin. It brings together all the switches and other controls into a neat arrangement. And the quality of the materials is acceptable for this price bracket.

The 37.5-inch rear legroom beats the Toyota Corolla’s 34.8. The Honda Civic fits pretty well with the Forte at 37.4 inches. The 15.3 cubic feet of luggage space puts the Forte ahead of the Civic and Corolla.

Comfort

The Forte is more comfortable than the majority of its competitors. The headrests are soft and unobtrusive, and the seats are perfectly contoured for long-distance comfort. The road noise is effectively muted, and only a slight quantity of wind and ambient noise penetrates. The automatic climate control for two zones is effective. Additionally, we appreciate that Kia offers ventilated front seats, although the chilling effect is not particularly strong.

The stiff suspension is the greatest drawback of the Forte. It performs adequately on uneven pavement or minor imperfections but has difficulty smoothing out larger bumps. Specifically, uneven impacts are problematic for the rear suspension.

Technology

The Forte provides an abundance of well-integrated features. If you don’t crank up the volume, the enhanced audio system sounds crisp, and the touchscreen interface is simple to use. You must adhere to a structured set of commands, but the native voice system recognizes fundamental controls with little confusion.

Each Forte is equipped with forward collision mitigation, and a blind-spot warning system is available on upper-tier and higher variants. It is somewhat disappointing that adaptive cruise control is not standard on the majority of Forte trims. It is standard on many rivals. During testing, all systems performed optimally and prevented false alarms.

Storage

The Forte is a relatively practical vehicle for its dimensions. The trunk is spacious for its class and features a wide, level load floor and ample opening. The rear seats are also divided 60/40 and fold forward to accommodate longer items.

There are numerous options for small-item storage within the cabin, including some neat little trays and a reasonably sized center console box. Intent on installing a child safety seat in the rear? We mounted an unwieldy, rear-facing seat in the middle and discovered that the front passengers had ample space. This compact sedan is so functional that you may query the need for a larger model such as the midsize Kia K5.

2024 KIA Forte Exterior

Anyone interested in Kia’s style will probably notice that there’s a new set of metaphorical pencils in the company’s design studio.

The K5 midsize sedan and the new Sportage compact SUV are at the forefront of this bold approach, which was also applied to the Forte compact sedan when it received an update last year.

It all adds up to this thing looking sharper than the creases in Jeff Goldblum’s Oscar party pants. That vibrancy is dulled a bit by the base FE model’s 15-inch steel wheels and plastic covers, but the alloy wheels on the rest of the range do more than provide a place for the tires to go.

The GT Line and GT models have added aerodynamics to accentuate their sportiness.

Not every color is available for every trim level, but there’s a good chance a buyer can find something acceptable within their budget.

Read next: All-New Luxurious 2024 Kia Sportage Crossover SUV Review

2024 KIA Forte Driving

Like its initials, the FE is the most fuel-efficient version of the 2024 KIA Forte compact sedan lineup, averaging around 35 mpg. It is also the cheapest to buy. But it’s tuned more for the economy than excitement.

The same can be said for the LXS and GT Line models, as they all sport a 147 horsepower 2.0-liter engine. Ride quality is also nothing to write home about unless your letter reads something like: “Mom, I’m not impressed with the Forte suspension.”

Things improve, though not dramatically, in the GT model with a bespoke sports suspension and a more powerful turbocharged engine that produces 201 horsepower.

This car even carries the best transmission of its range, a 7-speed automatic dual-clutch. It’s more responsive than the slow, drone-prone continuous variable transmission (CVT) paired with the 2.0-liter engine.

It also returns superior fuel economy compared to the 6-speed manual offered in the GT.

Factory Option

Bringing more equipment into the new Kia Forte happens by opting for a higher trim level. For example, the LXS trim comes with 16-inch alloy wheels and offers an LXS Technology package that adds blind-spot monitoring with rear traffic warning, plus a Safe Exit Alert and a mirror-mounted turn signal indicator.

Once at the GT Line level, these additions come standard, along with 17-inch alloy wheels, halogen projection headlamps, keyless entry/ignition, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather/simulated seating surfaces, dual-zone automatic climate control, touchscreen infotainment 10.25 inches, satellite radio and six speakers.

Optional bundles for the GT Line are the Premium Package with a powerful sunroof, navigation-based smart cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, cyclist detection, wireless charging, plus an 8-speaker/320-watt Harman Kardon audio system and the Premium Sport Package features seats a heated and ventilated sports front (the driver’s seat is also 10-way power adjustable), along with a less sporty rear USB charging port.

The actual GT model (not the GT Line) comes with a more powerful 1.6-liter engine and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This setup features a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, wireless charging, and blind-spot monitoring.

Options include a 6-speed manual transmission, navigation-based smart cruise control, heated/ventilated front seats, rear parking sensors, and Harman Kardon audio.

The GT manual transmission is slightly more expensive, but the standard equipment goes beyond the stick shift and third pedal. It has most of the above equipment (including Harman Kardon audio) plus Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires.

2024 KIA Forte Engine & Transmission

The FE, LXS, and GT Line versions of the 2024 KIA Forte have a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine (no turbo or similar) that makes 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft. The automatic transmission sends it to the front wheels only.

The GT model has a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces a more entertaining 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.

Front-wheel drive is also set here, although the GT offers a choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Drivers looking to keep the stick-shift flame alive are welcome to check out the more expensive manual transmission GT. But the difference in fuel economy and the likelihood of finding an interested buyer at a resale time makes the 2-pedal variant a better bet.

Regular petrol is fine with both engines. This Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy estimate fits the 2022 model, but we don’t anticipate any changes for the 2024 KIA Forte.

• 2.0-liter inline-4 (FE, LXS, GT Line)
• 147 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
• Torque 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
• EPA city/highway fuel economy (estimate): 31/41 mpg (FE), 29/39 mpg (LXS, GT Line)

• 1.6 liter turbocharged inline-4 (GT)
• 201 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
• torque 195 lb-ft @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
• EPA city/highway fuel economy (estimate): 22/31 mpg (manual), 27/35 mpg (auto)

2024 KIA Forte MPG

The EPA estimates that the Forte with the standard engine will achieve 32 mpg combined (or 34 mpg for the FE variant). In our real-world driving evaluations, we fell short, but the Forte outperformed the majority of its competitors.

2024 KIA Forte Models

The compact Kia Forte is available in five specification levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, GT, and GT Manual. The LX, LXS, and GT-Line are equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The GT and GT Manual are equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (201 horsepower, 195 pound-feet of torque) and either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (GT) or a six-speed manual transmission (GT Manual).

LX

The base model includes as standard:

• 15-inch aluminum rims
• Cruise control controls mounted on the steering column
• Multiple modes of operation
• Wireless 8-inch touchscreen display Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto
• smartphone integration
• A four-speaker speaker system

Additionally, every Forte includes the following sophisticated driver safety features:

• Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns the driver of an imminent collision and applies the brakes in certain situations).
• Lane departure mitigation (warns of lane departure in the absence of a turn signal and can maintain lane position automatically)
• Lane centering system (makes minor steering adjustments to assist in maintaining the vehicle’s position in the center of its lane).
• Driver alert system (issues a warning if sensors detect that the driver is becoming fatigued).

LXS

The LXS variant adds the following features:

• 16-inch aluminum rims
• 60/40-divided, foldable rear chairs
• Improved interior design

The optional LXS Technology bundle enhances driver aids and conveniences by including:

Blind-spot intervention (redirects the vehicle back into its lane if you attempt to change lanes while another vehicle is in the blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is about to cross your path while in reverse)
Safe exit assistance (can prevent rear passengers from opening doors into oncoming traffic).
Heated exterior mirrors
The GT-Line

The GT-Line occupies the intermediate position in the lineup. It includes the LXS Technology suite in addition to:

• 17-inch aluminum rims
• LED fog lamps
• LED taillights and racing lights
• Keyless entry and pushbutton ignition
• Automatic climate control for two zones
• Cloth sport seats with inserts of synthetic leather
• Flat-bottomed leather-wrapped sport steering wheel
• 10.25-inch multifunction display
• Navigational aid
• A six-speaker speaker system
• GT-Line is available with three option packages: GT-Line Technology, GT-Line
• Premium, and GT-Line Sport Premium.

The GT-Line Technology bundle includes the following:

• Adaptive cruise control using navigation
• Avoiding pedestrian and bicycle collisions
• Electronic parking brake with automatic delay

The GT-Line Premium bundle includes the Technology package in addition to:

• Sunroof power LED interior illumination Wireless charging pad
• Eight-speaker system Harman Kardon sound equipment

The GT-Line Sport Premium package adds the following to the Premium package:

• Adjustable driver’s backrest via power
• Synthetic leather seating
• Heated and air-conditioned front chairs
• Vents for rear-seat air conditioning
• USB charging receptacle in the rear of the vehicle

GT

This is the sporty Forte model. It features a turbocharged engine and either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission as an option. Other than that, it expands on the GT-Line’s features by adding:

• 18-inch rims
• LED headlamp
• Standard suspension
• Performance exhaust system
• Improved brakes
• Seats of black synthetic leather and fabric with red embroidery
• Pad for wireless charge
• Rear vents for air circulation and USB charging port

The GT with automatic transmission additionally includes:

• Avoiding collisions as a cyclist
• Intelligent cruise control

A GT2 package adds the following components to a GT with an automatic transmission:

• LED interior illumination facilitated by a powered sunroof
• Completely leather upholstery
• Adjustable driver’s backrest via power
• Heated and air-conditioned front chairs
• Harman Kardon sound equipment
• Back-up positioning sensors
• GT Handbook

Due to its transmission, the GT Manual loses a few active driving assists but gains the following standard features:

• Summer tire durability
• Sunroof power LED interior illumination Complete synthetic leather upholstery
• Frontal heating benches
• Eight-speaker system Harman Kardon superior audio system
• Back-up positioning sensors

2024 KIA Forte Price

We expect the 2024 KIA Forte compact sedan range to start at around $20,000, plus destination fees. That’s for the FE version. The LXS tends to be around $500 more than that.

Getting into the GT will cost around $26K, with a manual transmission costing an additional $1,000. Most of the other options are quite small in terms of meaning and price. Self-dimming mirrors with garage door openers cost around $350.

Anyone considering a new compact sedan should also check out the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda3—the top trio in this class. Each starts at a low $20K range.

Verdict

In a world where innovation drives progress, the 2024 KIA Forte emerges as a beacon of automotive evolution. With its compelling design, advanced technology, and exceptional performance, it sets new benchmarks for what a sedan can be. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a performance aficionado, or simply seeking a comfortable ride, the Forte promises to elevate your driving experience to unparalleled heights.

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People also ask Kia Forte 2024

Q: How much is a 2024 Kia Forte?

A: With the redesign, the Forte will run slightly higher than this year’s model which has an MSRP of $20,585 to $25,285.

Q: Will there be a 2023 Kia Forte?

A: The 2023 Kia Forte is offered in four trims (LX, LXS, GT-Line, and GT) and is pitted against other small sedans such as the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Toyota Corolla.

Q: Is the Kia Forte 2023 worth it?

A: The 2023 Forte is a good compact car. Kia packed a lot of standard tech goodies and driver aids into this little ride, and the cabin is quite comfortable and spacious in both rows. The Forte also has an intuitive infotainment system and a sizable trunk.

Q: Is the 2023 Kia Forte safe?

A: Very safe 4 stars