The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Stylish exterior
- Spacious interior
- Good standard feature list
- Compelling value
- Frugal on gas
Dislikes
- Dull base powertrain
- Loud under load
- Finicky dual-clutch automatic transmission
- Seats could be more comfortable
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2024 Kia Forte is a great value, though it’s not particularly fast or sporty.
What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Kia Forte? What does it compare to?
Among the handful of small sedans still on the market, the 2024 Kia Forte stands out as one of the most spacious. Others include the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Civic.
Is the 2024 Kia Forte a good car?
Yes, despite dull performance and mixed scores in safety tests. The Forte earns a TCC Rating of 5.8 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2024 Kia Forte?
The 2024 Forte in GT-Line trim loses its available Tech Package, but now includes automatic emergency braking with cyclist detection, an electronic parking brake, highway driver assist, and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. Forte LX and LXS models will get one USB-A charging port to replace one 12-volt outlet. Kia’s also phasing out Fire Orange and Sporty Blue exterior colors as well as the gray interior option.
The Kia Forte looks sportier than it is, since the base engine delivers just 147 hp and the CVT does nothing to help its case. Acceleration is sluggish and the engine loud. The available 201-hp turbo-4 in the GT trim is a big improvement, though its transmission choices are a fussy 7-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual.
The entry-level LX is less welcoming than the rest, with an impractical fixed back seat and a ton of plastic trim, but all Forte models offer up space that competes with segment leaders. There’s plenty of legroom and headroom for taller passengers, and the 15.3-cubic-foot trunk impresses.
Kia tries to offset unimpressive crash-test results with a decent list of standard tech. The NHTSA gives a four-star overall rating and updated IIHS tests yield two “Poor” scores, but active lane control and automatic emergency braking come standard.
How much does the 2024 Kia Forte cost?
In base LX trim, the Forte costs $20,915, which includes a $1,125 destination charge. An 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard, and Kia’s warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles. The$21,415 LXS gets a nicer interior and a split-folding rear bench.
Where is the 2024 Kia Forte made?
Kia builds the Forte in Mexico.
2024 Kia Forte Styling
Kia elevates the Forte’s economy roots with sharp looks inside and out.
Is the Kia Forte a good-looking car?
It sure is. The Forte takes cues from its larger sibling, the handsome Kia K5 midsize sedan, and it works well. We award a point to the exterior and the interior, for a 7 here.
A long wheelbase and raked windshield combine to give the Forte an aggressive approach, not unlike larger Kia vehicles, and it works well despite the Forte’s smaller stature. Slim headlights, elegant rear lighting, and a subtle trunk spoiler distract from the rather simple side design, though dark trim and stylish big alloy wheels add more visual interest in the Forte GT.
Inside, you’ll find an 8.0-inch touchscreen, sport-inspired round vents, and a simple control layout. The base LX wears plenty of hard plastic, but other models are dressed up considerably with soft-touch materials and metallic trim. Perforated, contrast-stitched synthetic leather and a flat-bottomed steering wheel add sporty accents to the Forte GT-Line and GT.
2024 Kia Forte Performance
You’ll need to go all the way to the top Forte GT for decent performance.
In all but the turbo-powered GT, the Forte offers sluggish acceleration. We subtract a point for the dull dynamics of the volume-selling base powertrain, for a 4 here.
Is the Kia Forte 4WD?
No, all Forte configurations are front-wheel drive.
How fast is the Kia Forte?
It’s sluggish and slow, with just 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque from the base 2.0-liter inline-4, and the fuel economy-oriented CVT does the engine no favors. It’s dull and loud.
The Forte GT, however, gets a 201-hp 1.6-liter turbo-4 with 195 lb-ft. It’s capable of a 6.7-second 0-60 mph run, and the available 6-speed manual transmission is a more engaging match than the standard 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, which struggles to find the correct gear in city traffic.
Upgraded suspension tuning could help make a truly sporty Forte, which could make a compelling option for Kia. Base models do a decent job smoothing rough pavement, but the GT gets an independent rear suspension that doesn’t do enough to counter the Forte’s body lean.
2024 Kia Forte Comfort & Quality
Kia offers plenty of space in the Forte.
The 2024 Kia Forte offers spacious accommodations for four, and five is possible but a lot less comfortable. We award a point for the trunk’s impressive 15.3-cubic-foot cargo capacity. It’s a 6 here.
The seats don’t merit a point, but front space and comfort are acceptable. The Forte comes standard with cloth upholstery, while synthetic leather is available. Options include a power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated and cooled front seats. The GT gets sportier front bucket seats with supportive bolsters. LXS, GT-Line, and GT models get upgraded finishes throughout the cabin, such as the GT-Line and GT’s leather-trimmed steering wheel and red contrast stitching.
Some competitors are longer, but the Forte uses its space well, carving out 35.7 inches of rear legroom. For better cargo flexibility, get the LXS model for its folding rear row.
2024 Kia Forte Safety
Mixed crash-test results muddle the Forte’s safety credentials.
How safe is the Kia Forte?
The Kia Forte earns mixed crash-test results. The IIHS gives “Poor” ratings in the updated front overlap and side crash tests, and the NHTSA gives a four-star overall score. That costs it a point, but a point is earned since every Forte comes standard with automatic emergency braking and active lane control. It’s a 5.
Most trims include or offer adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and braking assistance. This year, GT-Line models add an electronic parking brake, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, front collision alert with cyclist detection, and highway driver assist.
2024 Kia Forte Features
The 2024 Kia Forte presents a compelling value from its features to its warranty.
The 2024 Kia Forte earns a 9, with points for its overall value, standard features, great infotainment, and fantastic 5-year/60,000-mile warranty.
Which Kia Forte should I buy?
The base Forte LX costs $20,915, including $1,125 destination fee. That includes cloth upholstery, power features, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 15-inch wheels. Just $500 more gets the LXS model, which adds upgraded interior finishes, a split-folding rear row, and 16-inch wheels. We’d spend another $500 for heated mirrors and blind-spot monitors.
For $23,415, the GT-Line brings sportier exterior styling, cloth upholstery trimmed with synthetic leather, keyless start, a power driver’s seat, a 10.3-inch touchscreen, and bigger 17-inch wheels. Options include a sunroof, heated and cooled front seats, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon stereo system.
How much is a fully loaded Kia Forte?
Kia charges $25,615 for the Forte GT with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and another $700 for the manual transmission version. This Forte gets LED headlights, wireless smartphone charging, and stylish 18-inch alloy wheels.
2024 Kia Forte Fuel Economy
Base Fortes offer competitive fuel economy.
Is the Kia Forte good on gas?
Yes, especially in base trim. The Forte LX tops out at 31 mpg city, 41 highway, 35 combined according to the EPA. We score a 4 here, based on the volume-selling LXS and GT-Line trims, which rate 29/39/33 mpg.
The Forte GT, with its turbo engine, drops to 27/35/30 mpg, and models with a manual transmission sacrifice 4 mpg across the line.
