GREEN CHOICE

Kia Forte

Name: 2019 Kia Forte
Brand: Kia

EPA MPG: 34 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 34 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

The redesigned for 2019 Kia Forte brings simple controls, impressive fuel economy and a respectable list of standard advanced safety features. But while at one time is was one of the better affordable cars, the new Forte has regressed to basic transportation. It suffers from a stiff ride and its cabin is extremely loud even by the category’s modest standards.

2019 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Kia Forte

vs. Similar Cars

Honda Fit

Honda Insight

Hyundai Elantra

Kia Niro

Mazda 3

See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

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

See How All Brands Stack up

Kia vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2019 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2019 Kia Forte

$8,025 - $10,900

EPA MPG 34 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Chevrolet Cruze

$6,700 - $11,925

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Chevrolet Sonic

$6,575 - $9,750

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Chevrolet Spark

$6,675 - $10,000

EPA MPG 35 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Chevrolet Volt

$13,200 - $14,875

53 miles

42 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Fiat 500L

$9,650 - $11,875

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Honda Fit

$12,475 - $15,925

EPA MPG 36 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Honda Insight

$13,075 - $16,250

EPA MPG 52 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Hyundai Accent

$8,225 - $10,750

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Hyundai Elantra

$8,775 - $12,725

EPA MPG 33 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Hyundai Elantra GT

$ NA

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Kia Niro

$9,425 - $15,750

EPA MPG 49 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Kia Rio

$8,400 - $9,375

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Kia Stinger

$15,775 - $23,900

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Mazda 3

$11,400 - $17,575

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Mitsubishi Mirage

$5,800 - $7,500

EPA MPG 40 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Nissan Kicks

$9,075 - $11,375

EPA MPG 33 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Nissan Sentra

$7,750 - $12,325

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Nissan Versa

$6,150 - $7,300

EPA MPG 34 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Nissan Versa Note

$7,525 - $9,175

EPA MPG 34 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Subaru Impreza

$10,925 - $16,675

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Toyota C-HR

$13,575 - $14,700

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Toyota Corolla

$12,725 - $15,725

EPA MPG 36 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

$ NA

EPA MPG 36 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Toyota Prius

$15,000 - $19,600

EPA MPG 52 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Toyota Prius C

$13,850 - $15,025

EPA MPG 46 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Toyota Prius Prime

$17,200 - $20,925

25 miles

54 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Toyota Yaris

$10,200 - $12,800

EPA MPG 35 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Volkswagen Golf

$10,150 - $27,075

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

$15,350 - $20,525

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

$ NA

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2019 Volkswagen Jetta

$10,350 - $16,400

EPA MPG 34 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

2-liter 4 (147 hp)

CVT
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

See All Ratings & Specs

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.