Kia spruced up the 2022 Kia Forte with new exterior lights, bumpers, and alloy wheels. It also sports the new Kia logo.
Inside, we find a new 4.2-inch driver information display, an electronic parking brake (GT), and a 10.2-inch touchscreen (GT Line and GT).
Kia also reinforced its suite of Drive Wise driver aids. Its forward-collision warning now has cyclist detection (GT). It also added lane-following assist and Safe Exit Warning to the available portfolio.
Its available Smart Cruise Control with Curve is navigation-based. It reacts to changing speed limits and anticipates curves in the road.
There are rumblings about a name change for this small car that battles the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Mazda3.
With the Korean market version being named K3, Kia applying for a K3 trademark in this country, and the Optima having morphed into the K5, we think such a change is likely. It may not be for 2022, but it’s coming.
We like Forte for its value, impressive warranty, hot-shoe turbocharged GT model, and standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Kia separates Forte into five grades: FE, LXS, GT-Line, GT, and, well, GT. Gone is the 6-speed manual-transmission version of the FE. Kia also deep-sixed the EX trim.
Every Forte is front-wheel drive.
Two engines power Forte. A 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine motivates the FE, LXS, and GT Line. It is married to an automatic transmission.
A 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder provides the go for the two GT grades. One GT pairs the engine with a 7-speed automatic transmission. For $1,103, you can opt for a 6-speed manual tranny in the GT, constituting the second GT trim.
Government estimates put the fuel economy for the 2.0L at 31 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg in combined driving in the FE. The mileage for the LXS and GT-Line is 29 mpg/39 mpg/33 mpg.
With the 7-speed automatic transmission, the GT gets 27 mpg/35 mpg/30 mpg. Opting for the 6-speed manual drops the count to 22 mpg/31 mpg/26 mpg.
2022 Kia Forte FE (starting at $19,090)
The 2022 Kia Forte FE is now available, starting at $19,090.
The most affordable and fuel-efficient of the Forte grades, FE has a fair amount of content. It includes 15-inch steel wheels, rear disc brakes, 4.2-in driver information display, 6-way manually adjusted front seats, and air conditioning.
Also included are cruise control, remote keyless entry, auto on-off headlights, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, and rear-occupant detection.
The infotainment system includes an 8-inch touchscreen, a 4-speaker audio system, three USB ports, Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay.
Among the driver aids are Forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.
Also standard are lane-following assist and high-beam assist.
Kia doesn’t offer any factory-installed options for FE.
Adding the $995 destination fee to the FE base price brings the total to $20,085. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $361 per month. See 2022 Kia Forte FE models for sale
2022 Kia Forte FE includes:
- Automatic transmission – Using pulleys and belts rather than a clutch and gears, the automatic in the FE, XS, and GT-Line is a continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- Auto on-off headlights – Photosensors detect a reduction in daylight, which automatically engages the headlights and taillights. The system extinguishes the lights when an appropriate amount of daylight returns.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Allows your smartphone to interface with your vehicle. Not only can you access the music on your phone, but you can also send messages, receive messages, make calls, and so forth through your vehicle’s media system. The access is cable-free.
2022 Kia Forte LXS (starting at $19,590)
Why Kia didn’t just make LXS an FE option package is a mystery. All there is to it are 16-inch alloy wheels and a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat.
You can add the $500 Technology Package. With it, you gain blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, and heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals.
Also included in the Technology Package is Safe Exit Warning. This warns passengers on the street side of approaching vehicles when exiting the car.
Adding the $995 destination fee to the LXS base price totals $20,585. Financing with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to a monthly payment of $370. See 2022 Kia Forte LXS models for sale
2022 Kia Forte GT Line (starting at $21,290)
The 2022 Kia Forte GT is now available, starting at $21,290.
Bringing a little sportiness, the GT Line doesn’t goose the performance, but it does look a bit more aggressive.
All of the features in the LXS Technology Package become standard in the GT-Line.
Other additions are 17-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, daytime running lights, taillights, rear spoiler, and flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Also included are alloy pedals, sport seats, a leather-wrapped shift knob, a rear-seat center armrest, dual-zone automatic climate control, and remote start.
The infotainment system uses a 10.2-inch touchscreen and adds two tweeters to the 4-speaker system, making six speakers total.
Moving up to the GT Line qualifies you for three option packages.
In the Sport Premium package ($1,000) are a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated-ventilated front seats, and faux-leather seating.
Pony up another $1,700 for the Premium package. It features an electronic parking brake, a power sunroof, an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and wireless phone charging. It also includes the new Smart Cruise Control with Curve.
The GT Technology package ($300) gains you the electronic parking brake and Smart Cruise Control with Curve.
Adding the $995 destination fee to the GT Line base price equals $22,285. With no money down for 60 months at 3% interest, financing works out to $400 per month. See 2022 Kia Forte GT Line models for sale
2022 Kia Forte GT Line includes:
- Dual-zone automatic climate control – A set-it-and-forget-it system, it divides the vehicle into left and right regions. It provides separate temperature settings for each region. Once set, it automatically maintains the preset temperatures.
- LED exterior lighting – This includes projector headlights with auto on-off, taillights, and daytime running lights (DRLs). LEDs illuminate a wider and longer area than regular incandescent lights. That means they are also easier for other drivers to see.
- Mirrors with integrated turn signals – These are power outboard mirrors with turn-signal repeaters installed on their outer shell.
2022 Kia Forte GT with automatic transmission (starting at $23,490)
The 2022 Kia Forte GT with automatic transmission is now available, starting at $23,490.
In addition to the 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, this GT version comes with a 7-speed automatic transmission.
To the GT Line, it adds 18-inch alloy wheels, paddle shifters, sliding sun visors with illuminated mirrors, another USB port, and wireless phone charging.
The GT2 Package ($2,200) includes all the features in the GT Line Premium package. Furthermore, it adds the 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated-ventilated front seats, rear parking assist, faux-leather seating, and the power sunroof.
The Technology package is available, as well.
Adding the $995 destination fee to the GT base price totals $24,485. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $440 per month. See 2022 Kia Forte GT models for sale
2022 Kia Forte GT with automatic transmission includes:
- 1.6-liter turbo – This turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivers 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.
- Wireless charging – You can charge any Qi-compatible smartphone without using a cable.
- Paddle shifters – Mounted on the steering wheel, these paddles allow the manual changing of the gears without removing your hands from the wheel.
2022 Kia Forte GT with manual transmission (starting at $24,490)
The 2022 Kia Forte GT with manual transmission is now available, starting at $24,490.
This GT model also sources its thrust from the 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder, but here, it’s mated with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Features beyond the other GT include the power sunroof, the 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, heated front seats, and faux-leather seating.
Also standard are blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and rear park assist.
Kia offers no factory-installed options for this GT model.
Adding the $995 destination fee to the GT base price brings the total to $25,485. With no money down for 60 months at 3% interest, financing works out to $458 per month. See 2022 Kia Forte GT models for sale
2022 Kia Forte GT with manual transmission includes:
- Manual transmission – This is a 6-speed manual transmission paired with the 201-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.
- Harman Kardon audio system – An 320-watt system, it features 8 speakers.
- Blind-spot monitoring – This radar-based system warns of traffic approaching your flanks. It also includes rear cross-traffic alert to warn of vehicles crossing behind you when in reverse.
