Used 2023 Kia Forte

The 2023 Kia Forte compact sedan doesn’t redefine its class or push any boundaries, but it can be cheap to buy and run while adding a bit of driveway appeal with its styling.

This review is really a tale of two Fortes, with the base LX representing the best of times spent at a gas station and the manual-transmission GT being the worst, or at least the most frequent visitor.

The two engines offered in the 2023 Forte make all the difference. The non-turbocharged one turns this car into an easygoing suburban runabout. The turbo unit will inspire owners to want to head out of town in search of more entertaining roads.

Two engines, one body. Distinct-looking on the outside, roomy enough for four grown-ups on the inside, and a trunk that’s one of the most spacious in this kind of car.

It’s still a wise move to investigate the Honda Civic and Mazda3, not just for the way they drive, but also for their refinement. But if the finances are a little tighter, a new Forte could be a sweet choice.

The LX, formerly known as the FE, is the most fuel-efficient version of the 2023 Forte compact sedan range, averaging around 35 mpg. It’s also the cheapest to buy. But it’s tuned more for economy than excitement.

The same can be said of the LXS and GT-Line models, since they all share a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter engine. The ride quality is fine, though not especially sporty.

Things improve, though not dramatically, in the GT model with its bespoke sport suspension and punchier turbocharged engine delivering 201 horsepower. This car even brings the best transmission of the lineup, the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. It’s more responsive than the sluggish and drone-prone continuously variable transmission (CVT) paired to the 2.0-liter engine. It also returns superior fuel economy compared with the 6-speed manual also offered in the GT.

Kia has taken inspiration from premium European cars for the 2023 Forte’s cabin. It corrals all the switches and other controls into a tidy arrangement. And the quality of the materials is absolutely acceptable for this price bracket.

Rear legroom of 37.5 inches beats the Toyota Corolla’s 34.8. The Honda Civic pretty much matches the Forte with 37.4 inches. Trunk space of 15.3 cubic feet definitely puts the Forte ahead of the Civic and Corolla.

Anyone taking a keen interest in Kia styling will have probably noticed that there’s a fresh set of metaphorical pencils in the company’s design studio. The K5 midsize sedan and new Sportage compact SUV are at the forefront of this bold approach, which was also applied to the Forte compact sedan when it received an update last year.

It all adds up to this thing looking sharper than the creases in Jeff Goldblum’s Oscar-party pants. That zing is blunted a little by the base LX’s 15-inch steel wheels and plastic covers, but the alloy rims on the rest of the range do more than just provide a place for the tires to go. The GT Line and GT models have aerodynamic additions to underline their sportiness.

Not every color is available with every trim level, but there’s a good chance that buyers can find something acceptable within their budget.

GT’S TURBOCHARGED ENGINE
With the automatic transmission, this engine isn’t much thirstier than the 2.0-liter unit in the lower trims. And the way it livens up the driving experience will definitely make some buyers feel that it’s worth the extra money.

10.25-INCH INFOTAINMENT TOUCHSCREEN
This comes in at the popular GT Line trim level. It has clear graphics and just looks more modern, since the trend is for bigger screens. The system itself is also user-friendly.

Even though most new cars have it these days, it’s good to see forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking fitted as standard in the 2023 Forte. It also has a lane-departure warning and lane-following assist.

Other standard equipment includes 15-inch steel wheels, single-zone air conditioning, cloth upholstery, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Bluetooth, USB port, an auxiliary audio input jack, and four speakers.

In a bit of notable news, FCA Fusion — which combines Front Collision Alert with an electronic parking brake, Highway Driver Assist, and navigation-based active cruise control — has been added as standard equipment to the Forte GT model with DCT.

Bringing more equipment into a new Kia Forte happens by choosing a higher trim level. For example, the LXS trim comes with 16-inch alloy wheels and offers an LXS Technology package adding blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, plus Safe Exit Warning and mirror-mounted turn signal indicators.

Once at the GT Line level, these extras become standard, along with 17-inch alloy wheels, halogen-projection headlights, keyless entry/ignition, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth/simulated leather seating surfaces, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, satellite radio, and six speakers.

The optional bundles for the GT Line are a Premium package — with a power sunroof, navigation-based smart cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, cyclist detection, wireless charging, plus an 8-speaker/320-watt Harman Kardon audio system — and a Sport Premium package bringing sport front seats that are heated and ventilated (the driver’s seat is also 10-way power-adjustable), along with a not-particularly-sporty rear USB charging port.

The actual Forte GT model (not the GT Line) comes with a more powerful 1.6-liter engine and the 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. This setup is complemented by a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, wireless charging, Harman Kardon audio, blind-spot monitoring, and FCA Fusion.

The manual-transmission GT is a little more expensive, but its standard equipment goes beyond the stick shift and third pedal. It has most of the above equipment (including the Harman Kardon audio) plus Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires.

The LX, LXS, and GT Line versions of the 2023 Forte have a naturally aspirated (no turbos or anything similar) 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft. An automatic transmission sends that to just the front wheels.

The GT model has a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine generating a more entertaining 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is the arrangement here as well, although the GT offers the choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automated transmission.

Drivers wanting to keep the stick-shift flame alive are welcome to check out the pricier manual-transmission GT. But the difference in fuel economy and the likelihood of finding an interested buyer at resale time makes the 2-pedal variant a better bet.

Regular gasoline is fine with either engine.

2.0-liter inline-4 (LX, LXS, GT Line)
147 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
132 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 30/41 mpg (LX), 28/39 mpg (LXS, GT Line)

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 (GT)
201 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
195 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/31 mpg (manual), 27/35 mpg (auto)

More Forte fuel economy information is available at the EPA’s website.

Good Safety Scores

The 2023 Kia Forte gets the top “Good” rating in all but one crashworthiness category by the IIHS. It also earns a 4-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

Class-Leading Warranty

The Kia Forte boasts an impressive 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. That makes it tied with the Hyundai Elantra for the best warranty in its class.