The Kia Forte: A Well-Rounded Car That Remains Mostly Anonymous

The Kia Forte is one of those well-rounded cars that does a lot of things decently but remains mostly anonymous to buyers. The 2017 model brought a number of updates that just might help put the Forte on your radar. Kia's competitive compact now gets a new base engine, more advanced safety equipment, and updated styling.

The new engine for 2017 is a 147 horsepower 2-liter 4-cylinder that can be paired to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. According to the EPA, the new 2.0 an automatic transmission combination returns 29 miles per gallon city and 38 miles per gallon highway. Additionally, you can also opt for the direct injection 2-liter which puts out 164 horsepower and gets 25 and 33 miles per gallon respectively.

We spent some time driving the top-of-the-line IX model and found that the Forte is still a nice all-around package that feel surprisingly substantial even with its 17-inch wheels. However, the ride is okay but not as good as a Chevrolet Cruze or Subaru Impreza. The Kia's suspension is a bit of a weak link struggling to absorb sharp stuff and letting the body bob and rock a bit. Handling is also somewhat unremarkable and not up to the standards of the class leaders Ford Focus and Mazda 3.

The Forte feels sound but mundane and certainly not fun. The 164 horsepower 2-liter engine gets the job done but it's also pretty ho-hum. It works well with the 6-speed automatic transmission, providing a drama-free commute with noise levels that are acceptable for the class. Inside, the seats are quite comfortable and have good lumbar support including a power adjustment, which is rare in this class.

The cabin is also filled with convenient bins and cubbies as well as easy-to-reach 12-volt outlets, an auxiliary, and USB ports. Thankfully, Kia kept the control simple, and the learning curve takes all of about five minutes to pair your phone and assign your favorite radio presets. This ability is clear with a 3/4 sail window near the front of the side glass providing a little extra boost to your sight lines.

The Forte is available in three trim variations: the entry-level LX, the pseudo sporty S trim, and the top-shelf e^X DX model. The e^X DX model is distinguished by standard LED tail lights, keyless start with perimeter approach lighting, heated leather seats, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Xenon headlights and ventilated front seats are optional, as well as a rare feature in this class. The S and e^X trims also come with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Safety features are an important aspect of any vehicle, and the Forte offers some impressive options. Part of the $90 premium plus package includes autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning. However, these advanced safety features are only available in the S and e^X trims.

Pricing for the Kia Forte starts at $17,340 for the LX model with a manual transmission. Adding an automatic bumps up the price by about $1,000, bringing the total to around $18,300. The fully loaded IX model tops out at $26,835. It's worth noting that Kia usually offers big discounts, so don't be fooled by the sticker price.

Overall, the Kia Forte is a solid competitor in the compact car segment. With its well-rounded features and impressive safety options, it's definitely worth considering. Additionally, with better-than-average predicted reliability, it's a great option for those looking for a reliable vehicle without breaking the bank.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe Kia Forte is one of those well-rounded cars that does a lot of things decently but remains mostly anonymous to buyers 2017 brought a number of updates that just might help put the Forte on your radar Kia's competitive compact now gets a new base engine more advanced safety equipment and updated styling the new engine for 2017 a 147 horsepower 2-liter 4-cylinder can be paired to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission according to the EPA the new 2.0 an automatic transmission combination returns 29 miles per gallon city and 38 miles per gallon highway you can also opt the direct injection 2-liter which puts out 164 horsepower and gets 25 and 33 miles per gallon respectively according to the EPA we spent some time driving the top-of-the-line IX model and found that the forte is still a nice all-around package that feel surprisingly substantial even with its 17-inch wheels the ride is okay but not as good as a Chevrolet Cruze or Subaru Impreza the Kia's suspension is a bit of a weak link struggling to absorb sharp stuff and letting the body bob and rock a bit handling is also somewhat unremarkable and not up to the standards of the class leaders Ford Focus and Mazda 3 the Forte feels sound but mundane and certainly not fun the 164 horsepower 2-liter engine gets the job done but it's also pretty ho-hum it works well the 6-speed automatic transmission and together.this powertrain provides a drama-free commute with noise levels that are acceptable for the class inside the exas seats are quite comfortable and have good lumbar support including a power adjustment rare in this class the cabin is also filled with convenient bins and cubbies as well as easy to reach 12 volt outlets an auxilary and USB ports thankfully kia kept the control simple the learning curve takes all of about five minutes to pair your phone and assign your favorite radio presets this ability to the front is clear with a 3/4 sail windows near the front of the side glass providing a little extra boost to your sight lines the Forte is available in three trim variations the entry-level LX the pseudo sporty S trim and the top-shelf e^x DX model is distinguished by standard LED tail lights keyless start with perimeter approach lighting heated leather seats and 17-inch alloy wheels xenon headlights and ventilated front seats are optional also rare for this class the s and E X trims also come with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes android auto and apple carplay available safety here part of the 4400 $90 premium plus package includes autonomous emergency braking lane departure warning blind spot warning rear cross-traffic alert and forward collision warning but they're only available in the s and E X versions we found the Lane Keeping Assist feature is one of the better ones as it isn't overly intrusive but we think that forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking should be standard on all cars pricing starts at seventeen thousand three hundred forty dollars for the LX model with a manual transmission adding the automatic bumps it up about a thousand dollars a fully loaded IX model tops out at twenty six thousand eight hundred thirty five dollars the Kia usually offers big discounts so don't be fooled by the sticker price oh and all the forte is a solid competitor in the compact car segment and we better than average predicted reliability being icing on the cake you might want to consider adding a port a to your shopping list for more on compact cars check out consumerreports.orgthe Kia Forte is one of those well-rounded cars that does a lot of things decently but remains mostly anonymous to buyers 2017 brought a number of updates that just might help put the Forte on your radar Kia's competitive compact now gets a new base engine more advanced safety equipment and updated styling the new engine for 2017 a 147 horsepower 2-liter 4-cylinder can be paired to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission according to the EPA the new 2.0 an automatic transmission combination returns 29 miles per gallon city and 38 miles per gallon highway you can also opt the direct injection 2-liter which puts out 164 horsepower and gets 25 and 33 miles per gallon respectively according to the EPA we spent some time driving the top-of-the-line IX model and found that the forte is still a nice all-around package that feel surprisingly substantial even with its 17-inch wheels the ride is okay but not as good as a Chevrolet Cruze or Subaru Impreza the Kia's suspension is a bit of a weak link struggling to absorb sharp stuff and letting the body bob and rock a bit handling is also somewhat unremarkable and not up to the standards of the class leaders Ford Focus and Mazda 3 the Forte feels sound but mundane and certainly not fun the 164 horsepower 2-liter engine gets the job done but it's also pretty ho-hum it works well the 6-speed automatic transmission and together.this powertrain provides a drama-free commute with noise levels that are acceptable for the class inside the exas seats are quite comfortable and have good lumbar support including a power adjustment rare in this class the cabin is also filled with convenient bins and cubbies as well as easy to reach 12 volt outlets an auxilary and USB ports thankfully kia kept the control simple the learning curve takes all of about five minutes to pair your phone and assign your favorite radio presets this ability to the front is clear with a 3/4 sail windows near the front of the side glass providing a little extra boost to your sight lines the Forte is available in three trim variations the entry-level LX the pseudo sporty S trim and the top-shelf e^x DX model is distinguished by standard LED tail lights keyless start with perimeter approach lighting heated leather seats and 17-inch alloy wheels xenon headlights and ventilated front seats are optional also rare for this class the s and E X trims also come with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes android auto and apple carplay available safety here part of the 4400 $90 premium plus package includes autonomous emergency braking lane departure warning blind spot warning rear cross-traffic alert and forward collision warning but they're only available in the s and E X versions we found the Lane Keeping Assist feature is one of the better ones as it isn't overly intrusive but we think that forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking should be standard on all cars pricing starts at seventeen thousand three hundred forty dollars for the LX model with a manual transmission adding the automatic bumps it up about a thousand dollars a fully loaded IX model tops out at twenty six thousand eight hundred thirty five dollars the Kia usually offers big discounts so don't be fooled by the sticker price oh and all the forte is a solid competitor in the compact car segment and we better than average predicted reliability being icing on the cake you might want to consider adding a port a to your shopping list for more on compact cars check out consumerreports.org\n"