Kia Forte
2021–2024 model years · Generation introduced 2019
Compare the years. Keep the details.
Compare model years ↓
- Available years
- 2021–2024
- Yearly records
- 4
- Reported market values
- $12,550–$18,900
The overview
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.
Generation summary from Consumer Reports. Year-specific figures appear below; missing values mean unavailable, not zero.
Compare the years
Each row keeps its own source data.
| Model year | Market value | Reliability | Owner rating | EPA combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 ↗ LXS sedan Front 2.0-liter 4 (147 hp) (Regular Gasoline) CVT 0-speed | $18,900 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 32 MPG |
| 2023 ↗ LXS sedan Front 2.0-liter 4 (147 hp) (Regular Gasoline) CVT 0-speed | $17,025 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 32 MPG |
| 2022 ↗ LXS sedan Front 2.0-liter 4 (147 hp) (Regular Gasoline) CVT 0-speed | $14,350 | 4/5 | Not rated | 34 MPG |
| 2021 ↗ LXS sedan Front 2.0-liter 4 (147 hp) (Regular Gasoline) CVT 0-speed | $12,550 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 34 MPG |
Values depend on trim and condition. Ratings are source-reported; road-test results may describe a tested configuration.
Year by year
2024 model
LXS sedan Front 2.0-liter 4 (147 hp) (Regular Gasoline) CVT 0-speed · Conventional · Used
Find 2024 listings ↗ Specifications
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- sedan
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Category
- Small sedans/hatchbacks
- Generation began
- 2019
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $18,900
- Retail value range
- $16,325 - $20,000
- Original MSRP range
- $19,990 - $25,390
- Trade-in range
- $13,800 - $18,390
Ratings
- Road test score
- 71/100
- Owner satisfaction
- 3/5
- Would buy again
- 57%
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Expert recommendation
- Recommended
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 28 MPG
- EPA highway
- 39 MPG
- EPA combined
- 32 MPG
- Tested city
- 22 MPG
- Tested highway
- 49 MPG
- Tested overall
- 34 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,420
- Cruising range
- 475 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.6 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 8.3 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 131 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 53 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 183 in
- Width
- 71 in
- Height
- 57 in
- Wheelbase
- 106 in
- Weight
- 2,805 lb
- Maximum load
- 850 lb
- Towing capacity
- 0 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 5 people
- Front head room
- 5 in
- Front leg room
- 42 in
- Rear head room
- 2.5 in
- Rear leg room
- 28 in
- Luggage
- 3+1+0
Owner feedback
- Comfort
- 1/5
- Driving
- 3/5
- Styling
- 3/5
- Value
- 2/5
Environmental impact
- Air pollution score
- 6/10
- Greenhouse gas score
- 7/10
- SmartWay
- No
Vehicle ID: 28923 First published: November 29, 2023 Updated: September 11, 2026
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
2023 model
LXS sedan Front 2.0-liter 4 (147 hp) (Regular Gasoline) CVT 0-speed · Conventional · Used
Find 2023 listings ↗ Specifications
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- sedan
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Category
- Small sedans/hatchbacks
- Generation began
- 2019
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $17,025
- Retail value range
- $15,025 - $17,500
- Original MSRP range
- $19,690 - $25,090
- Trade-in range
- $12,425 - $15,710
Ratings
- Road test score
- 71/100
- Owner satisfaction
- 2/5
- Would buy again
- 40%
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Expert recommendation
- Recommended
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 28 MPG
- EPA highway
- 39 MPG
- EPA combined
- 32 MPG
- Tested city
- 22 MPG
- Tested highway
- 49 MPG
- Tested overall
- 34 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,420
- Cruising range
- 475 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.6 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 8.3 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 131 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 53 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 183 in
- Width
- 71 in
- Height
- 57 in
- Wheelbase
- 106 in
- Weight
- 2,805 lb
- Maximum load
- 850 lb
- Towing capacity
- 0 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 5 people
- Front head room
- 5 in
- Front leg room
- 42 in
- Rear head room
- 2.5 in
- Rear leg room
- 28 in
- Luggage
- 3+1+0
Owner feedback
- Comfort
- 1/5
- Driving
- 3/5
- Styling
- 4/5
- Value
- 2/5
Environmental impact
- Air pollution score
- 6/10
- Greenhouse gas score
- 7/10
- SmartWay
- No
Vehicle ID: 25383 First published: November 15, 2022 Updated: September 11, 2026
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
2022 model
LXS sedan Front 2.0-liter 4 (147 hp) (Regular Gasoline) CVT 0-speed · Conventional · Used
Find 2022 listings ↗ Specifications
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- sedan
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Category
- Small sedans/hatchbacks
- Generation began
- 2019
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $14,350
- Retail value range
- $12,400 - $16,050
- Original MSRP range
- $19,090 - $24,490
- Trade-in range
- $9,570 - $13,410
Ratings
- Road test score
- 71/100
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Expert recommendation
- Recommended
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 30 MPG
- EPA highway
- 40 MPG
- EPA combined
- 34 MPG
- Tested city
- 22 MPG
- Tested highway
- 49 MPG
- Tested overall
- 34 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,420
- Cruising range
- 475 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.6 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 8.3 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 131 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 53 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 183 in
- Width
- 71 in
- Height
- 57 in
- Wheelbase
- 106 in
- Weight
- 2,805 lb
- Maximum load
- 850 lb
- Towing capacity
- 0 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 5 people
- Front head room
- 5 in
- Front leg room
- 42 in
- Rear head room
- 2.5 in
- Rear leg room
- 28 in
- Luggage
- 3+1+0
Environmental impact
- Air pollution score
- 5/10
- Greenhouse gas score
- 7/10
- SmartWay
- Yes
Vehicle ID: 23403 First published: November 18, 2021 Updated: September 11, 2026
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
2021 model
LXS sedan Front 2.0-liter 4 (147 hp) (Regular Gasoline) CVT 0-speed · Conventional · Used
Find 2021 listings ↗ Specifications
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- sedan
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Category
- Small sedans/hatchbacks
- Generation began
- 2019
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $12,550
- Retail value range
- $9,225 - $13,350
- Original MSRP range
- $17,890 - $23,390
- Trade-in range
- $6,420 - $10,560
Ratings
- Road test score
- 71/100
- Owner satisfaction
- 3/5
- Would buy again
- 47%
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Expert recommendation
- Recommended
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 30 MPG
- EPA highway
- 40 MPG
- EPA combined
- 34 MPG
- Tested city
- 22 MPG
- Tested highway
- 49 MPG
- Tested overall
- 34 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,420
- Cruising range
- 475 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.6 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 8.3 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 131 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 53 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 183 in
- Width
- 71 in
- Height
- 57 in
- Wheelbase
- 106 in
- Weight
- 2,805 lb
- Maximum load
- 850 lb
- Towing capacity
- 0 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 5 people
- Front head room
- 5 in
- Front leg room
- 42 in
- Rear head room
- 2.5 in
- Rear leg room
- 28 in
- Luggage
- 3+1+0
Owner feedback
- Comfort
- 1/5
- Driving
- 5/5
- Styling
- 4/5
- Value
- 3/5
Environmental impact
- Air pollution score
- 5/10
- Greenhouse gas score
- 7/10
- SmartWay
- Yes
Vehicle ID: 20396 First published: November 19, 2020 Updated: September 11, 2026
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
Behind the data
Latest source update: September 11, 2026
Vehicle summaries, specifications, pricing and ratings come from Consumer Reports vehicle records. Auto Guide groups these records by model and reported generation start year.
Available years are listed explicitly. Gaps do not imply that a model was discontinued. Prices are source estimates, not live offers. No first-hand road test by Auto Guide is claimed.
