Kia Forte

Name: 2016 Kia Forte
Brand: Kia

EPA MPG: 29 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 29 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

There's a lot to like in the Kia Forte for those in the market for a small car. Unassuming in nature yet considerably more refined than previous Kia compact sedans, the Forte feels mature and solid, thanks to having a quiet cabin and one of the most comfortable rides in its class. The spacious, nicely finished interior also wins praise. Braking performance is excellent. Overall, the Forte is now one of the top-rated cars in the category. It slightly outscores the Hyundai Elantra that shares the same platform and engine.

2016 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Kia Forte

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Cruze

Ford C-MAX

Honda Civic

Honda Fit

Hyundai Elantra

See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Marginal

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Marginal

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

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Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Marginal

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2016 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2016 Kia Forte

$5,900 - $8,675

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Chevrolet Cruze

$5,200 - $7,400

EPA MPG 34 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Chevrolet Sonic

$4,575 - $6,850

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Chevrolet Spark

$5,475 - $5,725

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Owner Satisfaction

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53 miles

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Owner Satisfaction

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EPA MPG 27 mpg

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EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Ford C-MAX

$7,950 - $8,775

EPA MPG 39 mpg

Road test

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2016 Honda Civic

$10,000 - $13,375

EPA MPG 35 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Honda Fit

$9,125 - $10,700

EPA MPG 34 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Hyundai Accent

$5,625 - $5,925

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Hyundai Elantra

$6,225 - $7,925

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Hyundai Elantra GT

$ NA

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Kia Rio

$5,325 - $6,775

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

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2016 Mazda 3

$7,800 - $11,300

EPA MPG 33 mpg

Road test

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2016 Mitsubishi Lancer

$5,925 - $8,375

EPA MPG 25 mpg

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2016 Mitsubishi Mirage

$ NA

EPA MPG 40 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Nissan Sentra

$5,150 - $6,250

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

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2016 Nissan Versa

$4,450 - $5,650

EPA MPG 33 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Nissan Versa Note

$4,425 - $5,650

EPA MPG 34 mpg

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2016 Scion iA

$8,400

EPA MPG 37 mpg

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2016 Scion iM

$9,950

EPA MPG 31 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Subaru Impreza

$7,350 - $11,175

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Toyota Corolla

$9,100 - $11,050

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Toyota Prius

$12,675

EPA MPG 52 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Toyota Prius C

$9,625 - $10,550

EPA MPG 50 mpg

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Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Toyota Prius V

$12,600

EPA MPG 42 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Toyota Yaris

$6,800 - $9,725

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Volkswagen Golf

$6,225 - $16,775

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Volkswagen Jetta

$6,525 - $11,250

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door hatchback

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

1.6-liter 4 turbo (201 hp)
1.8-liter 4 (145 hp)
2-liter 4 (173 hp)

6-speed automatic
6-speed manual

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2019-2024

2019 Redesign Year

The Kia Forte brings simple controls and impressive fuel economy, it suffers from an overly stiff ride; passengers feel every bump. And, the car is very loud to boot. The engine pulls adequately and the continuously variable transmission provides unobtrusive progress, but the engine is raucous. At 34 mpg overall, fuel economy is excellent. Handling is responsive, thanks to the Forte's willingness to tackle corners. The drab interior is Spartan but it's nice to have automatic climate control. The seats are rather uncomfortable in the midtrim LXS. The infotainment system is simple and easy to use and is compatible with Apple CarPlay. It is commendable that forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist are standard. A sportier GT model, offering a turbocharged engine, is new for 2020. A freshening for 2022 brings updated styling, a new infotainment system, and standard forward collision detection with pedestrian detection.

The Forte was discontinued and replaced by the new K4 for 2025.

2014-2018

2014 Redesign Year

Considerably more refined than previous Kia compact sedans, this iteration of the Forte feels mature and solid, thanks to a quiet cabin and one of the most comfortable rides in its class. The spacious and nicely finished interior also wins praise, while braking performance is excellent too. Overall, the Forte is now one of the top-rated cars in the category. The best value is an LX model with the Popular package, which adds upgraded interior trim, 16-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and cruise control. Fuel economy improvements were instituted for 2015 models, while changes for 2016 included an optional rearview camera for the LX trim line, along with standard keyless entry and heated mirrors.

2010-2013

2010 Redesign Year

The compact Forte replaced the mediocre Spectra for 2010. It's quicker, with a 156-hp 2.0-liter engine delivering 28 mpg, and it feels sportier than many small cars. The Forte also offers a host of impressive features such as Bluetooth and standard electronic stability control. Its IIHS crash-test performance was good too. The car was available as a coupe or a hatchback, and offered an optional 2.4-liter. While a big improvement, it still ranks below the class leaders. Downsides include a stiff ride, noisy engine and a mediocre driving position.