The 2023 Kia Forte is every bit the equal, and in some cases superior, to long-established compact names like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. It offers many high-tech features and a manual transmission option in the GT MT trim. With interior volume figures to rival some midsize sedans and the technology one expects only in expensive luxury cars, the Forte makes an excellent choice for those not interested in an SUV and always up for saving money.
The Kia Forte makes an excellent choice for those not interested in an SUV but are always up for saving money.
Kia offers the Forte in five unique trims and with two engine choices. The LX, LXS, and GT-Line use the same 2.0-liter 4-cylinder good for 148 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The GT and GT Manual get a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) or a 6-speed manual.
Forte LX
Starts at $19,690 | See listings
- 15-inch steel wheels with covers
- 8-inch touchscreen
- 4-speaker audio
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Remote keyless entry
- Cloth upholstery
- Air conditioning
- Forward collision-avoidance
- See more
Forte LXS
Starts at $20,190 | See listings
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat
- Soft-touch door trim
- Available blind-spot monitor
- Available rear cross-traffic monitor
- Available heated side mirrors with LED turn signals
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Forte GT-Line
Starts at $21,890 | See listings
- GT styling with rear spoiler
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Sport seats with SynTex and cloth upholstery
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation
- 6-speaker audio
- Front USB charging port
- Blind-spot monitor/rear cross-traffic assist with braking
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Forte GT
Starts at $24,390 | See listings
- Turbo engine with 201 horsepower
- 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters
- Sport suspension/larger brakes
- LED headlights
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Wireless smartphone charger
- Rear a/c vent, USB charging port
- Nav-based smart cruise control
- Highway Driving Assist
- See more
Forte GT Manual
Starts at $25,090 | See listings
- Turbo engine with 201 horsepower
- 6-speed manual transmission
- Heated sport seats with SynTex trim
- Sunroof
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires
- Harman Kardon 8-speaker audio
- LED interior lighting
- Blind-spot warning/rear cross-traffic warning
- Rear parking warning
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2023 Kia Forte LX: $19,690
Considering its roughly $20,000 asking price, the Forte LX surprises with its content, including an industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
In addition to its six airbags, electronic traction and stability control, and anti-lock brakes, the Forte plays host to several advanced driver aids, including forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Also included are lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rear occupant detection with ultrasonic sensors, a rear backup camera, and a system that alerts the driver when sensing inattentive or distracting driving.
The Forte LX looks pretty good from the outside, with 15-inch steel wheels and full covers, auto on/off headlights with automatic high beams, variable intermittent wipers, power side mirrors, a rear defroster, and LED perimeter lighting that illuminates the door handles. Instead of a compact spare, Kia equips the Forte FE with a tire mobility kit that includes an inflator and sealant.
The LX isn’t plush by any standard, but it does cover the essentials. Standard features include power windows, power door locks, manually-adjustable front seats with seat height adjustment, woven cloth upholstery, and a fixed-folding rear bench seat.
Standard amenities include manual air conditioning, cruise control, a one-touch-down driver’s window, remote keyless entry, and Kia’s Drive Mode Select that reconfigures throttle and shift patterns for Normal, Sport, or Comfort modes.
The LX’s driver enjoys a trip computer and 4.2-inch information display, an overhead console with sunglass holder, an illuminated ignition key cylinder, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with controls for the audio, Bluetooth, and cruise.
A four-speaker AM/FM radio comes standard, controlled via an 8-inch touch screen that plays host to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LX has one USB media port and two 12-volt outlets.
With the $1,125 destination charge, the 2023 Kia Forte LX costs $20,815. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, expect a monthly payment of around $393. See 2023 Kia Forte LX models for sale near you
2023 Kia Forte LX includes:
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Allows wireless connectivity with a compatible smartphone and, oddly, is a feature not available on the more expensive GT trims.
Automatic emergency braking – Watches for cars and people in the Forte’s path and warns the driver of a potential collision. If the driver fails to take action, the system can slow or stop the vehicle before an accident can occur.
Rear occupant alert with ultrasonic sensors – Reminds the driver to check the rear seat before leaving the vehicle. Ultrasonic sensors in the cabin can detect movement and honk the horn to remind the driver to check the back seat.
Lane-keeping assist – Follows the lane markers to help keep the car centered in its lane.
2023 Kia Forte LXS: $20,190
The LXS is the trim we’d pick if we were in bargain shopping mode. It’s nearly as affordable as the LX but offers a few more features we think buyers should have.
Building off the LX’s standard roster, the LXS adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, and soft-touch dash and door trim.
But, what makes the LXS more desirable than the LX is its available Technology Package. For a mere $500, this package adds a blind-spot monitor with collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert with emergency braking, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, and Safe Exit Assist that warns rear passengers of approaching traffic before opening their door.
With the $1,125 destination charge, the 2023 Kia Forte LXS costs $21,315. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, expect a monthly payment of around $402. See 2023 Kia Forte LXS models for sale near you
2023 Kia Forte LXS includes:
16-inch alloy wheels – Look sharp and have wider tires for better traction and handling.
60/40 split-folding rear seat – Allows additional cargo space from the trunk without eliminating rear-seat passenger space.
Available blind-spot monitor – Warns the driver of vehicles in the Forte’s blind spot and can steer the car away from a potential accident.
Available rear cross-traffic alert – Uses rear-bumper sensors to detect cross traffic when backing up. The system can even apply the brakes to help avoid a collision.
2023 Kia Forte GT-Line: $21,890
The GT-Line offers a sporty attitude and more features but retains the same 2.0-liter engine and CVT as the LX and LXS.
Building off the LXS with the Technology Package, the GT-Line adds a sport grille, extended side sills, additional gloss black exterior styling elements, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a rear trunk spoiler. Further additions include heated side mirrors with LED turn signal indicators, a Smart Trunk keyless trunk opener, and LED lighting for fog lights, daytime running lights (DRL), and taillights.
Amenities include a one-touch up/down power driver’s window, Smart Key keyless access with proximity key fob and push-button start, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rear-seat folding center armrest with cup holders, SynTex and cloth upholstery, alloy pedals, and a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel.
A 10.25-inch touch screen replaces the 8-inch unit in the lower trims but oddly doesn’t include the wireless feature for its Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The GT-Line gains navigation with voice command, SiriusXM satellite and HD radio, and Kia Connect apps along with the larger screen. The audio portion gains two additional speakers for a total of six.
The GT-Line offers three upgrade packages.
The GT-Line Technology Package adds navigation-based adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with cyclist detection, and an electronic parking brake with an auto-hold function that holds the car in place when stopped so you don’t have to keep your foot on the brake.
The GT-Line Premium Package includes the Technology Package plus a power sunroof, LED interior lighting, a wireless phone charging pad, Kia’s Highway Driver Assist driver fatigue reduction system, and a 320-watt Harman Kardon audio system with eight speakers and an integrated subwoofer.
The GT-Line Sport Premium Package adds a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, heated and ventilated front seats, rear-seat air vents, a rear USB charging port, and sport seats with unique fabric and stitching.
With the $1,125 destination charge, the 2023 Kia Forte GT-Line costs $23,015. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, expect a monthly payment of around $434. See 2023 Kia Forte GT-Line models for sale near you
2023 Kia Forte GT-Line includes:
Smart Key – Proximity key fob allows you to unlock the doors and start the car without physically holding the key fob. It also works to open the trunk by standing directly behind the car for a few seconds.
10.25-inch touch screen – More screen means more room for apps and maps. The system includes built-in voice-activated GPS navigation.
Available adaptive cruise control – Maintains a safe distance between the Forte and the traffic ahead and can even slow down when approaching curves using the built-in navigation as a guide.
Available Harman Kardon audio – A must-have upgrade for people who love their music loud and clear.
2023 Kia Forte GT: $24,390
The 2023 Kia Forte GT starts at $24,390.
The GT gets a more powerful turbocharged engine, a 7-speed DCT with shift paddles, a sport-tuned suspension, and a sport exhaust.
Building off the GT-Line, the GT adds LED headlights, 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels, and a space-saver spare tire.
The GT gets a wireless charging pad, front and rear USB charge ports, rear air vents, GT ambient lighting, and dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors.
Options for the GT include the GT Technology Package that adds navigation-based adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with cyclist detection, and an electronic parking brake with an auto-hold feature.
The GT2 Package adds a 10-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, heated and ventilated front seats, LED interior lighting, rear parking sensors, a power sunroof, a Harman Kardon audio system, sport seats, Highway Driver Assist, and the contents of the GT Technology Package.
With the $1,125 destination charge, the 2023 Kia Forte GT costs $25,515. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, expect a monthly payment of around $481. See 2023 Kia Forte GT models for sale near you
2023 Kia Forte GT includes:
Automatic high-beam headlights – Automatically dim the headlights when detecting another vehicle, either directly ahead or approaching from the opposite direction.
1.6-liter turbocharged engine – With 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, the Forte quickly gets up to speed without a significant penalty in reduced fuel economy.
Sport-tuned suspension – Provides a firmer ride with a stiffer suspension for enhanced cornering ability. The rear suspension of the GT is a more sophisticated multilink design (as opposed to the torsion beam rear axle of other Fortes).
Available 10-way power driver’s seat – Provides multiple settings for the perfect driving position and includes power lumbar for better lower back support.
2023 Kia Forte GT Manual: $25,090
The Forte GT Manual replaces the GT’s 7-speed automatic with a smooth-shifting 6-speed manual transmission.
It also mixes up the GT’s standard and optional equipment list, adding a power sunroof, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires, the Harman Kardon audio upgrade, rear parking sensors, LED interior lighting, and manually adjustable heated front sport seats.
The GT Manual deletes the GT’s Drive Mode Select, Remote start, and GT ambient lighting.
The GT Manual offers no additional option packages.
With the $1,125 destination charge, the 2023 Kia Forte GT Manual costs $26,215. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, expect a monthly payment of around $495. See 2023 Kia Forte GT Manual models for sale near you
2023 Kia Forte GT Manual includes:
Power sunroof – Lets more light and air into the cabin without rolling down all the windows.
Sport seats – Manually adjustable sport seats provide more lateral side support to hold you in place during spirited drives.
Heated front seats – Keep occupants comfortable in cold weather without the need to crank up the cabin temperature.
Rear parking sensors – Warn the driver about obstacles behind the car when backing up.
