2016 Kia Forte

MSRP $15,990 - $19,990

Ranked #2 in Compact Sedan

Build Your Car
  1. Home
  2. Kia
  3. Forte

8.2

Overall Rating

EXTERIOR

2016 Kia Forte's exterior images

INTERIOR

2016 Kia Forte's interior images

DASHBOARD

2016 Kia Forte's dashboard images
+11

FILTER BY YEAR

FILTER BY STYLE

2016 Kia Forte Price, Review, Ratings and Pictures

Updated on: December 28, 2021

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor

The compact sedan segment has undergone radical changes ever since its inception, with each brand introducing its product in a bid to dominate the market. Forte is Kia’s prime offering that is affordable, capacious, and appealing. For more than half a decade now, it has been available as a hatchback, coupe, and sedan, which reflects its versatility. However, the sedan style has racked up the highest sales volume for the brand.

2016 Kia Forte Latest Updates

  • May' 13, 2022 : Top Ten Cheapest New Cars With An Automatic Transmission Read More »
  • Apr' 21, 2022 : 2022 Edition: Fastest Cars You Can Buy For $20,000 Read More »
  • Feb' 3, 2022 : Kia Is Recalling 410,619 Vehicles Over A Faulty Airbag Issue Read More »

More from 2016 Kia Forte

2016 Kia Forte Exclusive Interior and Exterior Pictures | View latest Pictures

See detailed review »

Pros

Commodious cabin

Impressive cargo capacity

Intuitive infotainment system

Cons

Lackluster handling

Rough Ride 

What's New?

Keyless entry is now standard

2016 Kia Forte Consumer Reviews and Ratings

6.4

based on 5 ratings

6.4/10Features
6.4/10Interiors
7.0/10Design
6.6/10Safety
6.2/10Reliability
7.4/10Deal Value

POPULAR TAGS

compact
interface
require
mileage
opportunity
vehicle
convert
infotainment
accuracy
system
passenger
quality
acceleration

2016 Kia Forte Reviews

Write a Review
AB

Alexandra Brown

2016 Kia Forte

EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

5

User Overall Rating

Posted On: March 19, 2022

Practical and economical compact car

Pros - Cargo and passenger space, easy to use infotainment, quick acceleration and numerous features available.

Cons - Dull handling and rough ride on bumpy roads.

Compact car with bland driving dynamics I was surprised at first since the Forte had so many goodies for a vehicle that cost less than 20 grand! So I jumped on the opportunity right away. After driving it for over 10,000 miles, all of its shortcomings became apparent. Although the power does not convert to scorching acceleration, my EX model is clearly faster than the norm, yet it seems buzzy whe...

Read more »
6/10
Features
6/10
Interior
7/10
Design
6/10
Safety
6/10
Reliability
8/10
Deal Value
9/10
Dealer Review
HC

Helena Carter

2016 Kia Forte

LX 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 6A)

9

User Overall Rating

Posted On: January 10, 2022

Ideal for senior citizens!

Pros - Easy handling--User-friendly tech interface--Excellent mileage figures

Cons - Rear middle seat comfort--Mediocre music system

Fuel-friendly and roomy I'm 60 years old and I feel comfortable while driving this car in heavy traffics. I don't drive harshly and found its handling easier for commuting regularly. Its tech interface is user-friendly and I'm impressed with the gas mileage of 30mpg. If you require a fuel-efficient sedan with spacious cabins, look no more than a KIA Forte. We had a decent purchasing experie...

Read more »
9/10
Features
9/10
Interior
9/10
Design
9/10
Safety
9/10
Reliability
9/10
Deal Value
8/10
Dealer Review
IA

Isabel Aguilar

2017 Kia Forte

S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

7

User Overall Rating

Posted On: April 18, 2022

Loaded with features.

Pros - Affordable, packed with awesome features, fuel efficiency

Cons - Acceleration

Best Value Sedan. It's been nearly 5 years since I spent 17 grand on my 2017 Kia Forte, it's a S trim which I got for 17 grand after a lil discount. For such an affordable sedan it's pretty loaded in tech and comfort, interior could've been better but it's not a biggie, fits people and shopping without a fuss. Acceleration is lacking but again, it ain't no biggie since it gives 22 mpg in the town...

Read more »
8/10
Features
7/10
Interior
8/10
Design
7/10
Safety
6/10
Reliability
9/10
Deal Value
7/10
Dealer Review

Read all Reviews

Trims

LX$15,990 onwards

  • Cloth Seat trim
  • Manual front air conditioning
  • Remote anti-theft alarm system
  • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
Build Car

EX$19,990 onwards

  • 17-inch machined aluminum Wheels
  • 1St row LCD monitor
  • Front Fog/driving lights
Build Car

Pictures & Videos

Exterior

2016 Kia Forte exterior
2016 Kia Forte exterior
2016 Kia Forte exterior
2016 Kia Forte exterior
2016 Kia Forte exterior
2016 Kia Forte exterior

Interior

2016 Kia Forte Front Seats
2016 Kia Forte interior
2016 Kia Forte interior
2016 Kia Forte interior
2016 Kia Forte interior

Videos

2016 Kia Forte Exterior details videos
2016 Kia Forte Interior details videos
2016 Kia Forte Review videos

Features

vehicle bio

base price

$19990

body style

4dr Sedan

engine type

displacement

122 cu in

horse power

173 hp @ 6500 rpm

torque

154 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

transmission

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

dimensions

length

180 in

wheelbase

106 in

width

70 in

curb weight

2906 lbs

Height

56 in

Ground Clearance

5 lbs

capacity

passenger volume

96.2 cu ft

cargo volume

14.9 cu ft

passenger capacity

5 Seats

fuel economy

city/combined/highway

25/28/35 mpg

highway range

462.0 mi

warranty

basic warranty

5 yr./ 60000 mi.

See All Features & Specs

Colors and Styles

2016 Kia Forte in Aurora Black Pearl color
Aurora Black Pearl

Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.

Ratings

Pricing and Features

7.0

Features

9.9

Engine and Performance

8.1

Fuel Economy

7.0

Interior

8.7

Exterior

9.0

Safety

8.4

Competition

6.0

8.2

OVERALL RATING

Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide

8.2

Overall Rating

For the MY 2016, the Kia Forte sedan comes with minor alterations to its feature list. Keyless entry has now been made standard and complements the extensive list of specifications already on offer. While the 2016 Forte does feel happy-go-lucky, its detached handling and compromised performance on uneven terrains blotch its performance. It competes against the likes of the 2016 Honda Civic, 2016 Toyota Corolla, and its corporate cousin, the 2016 Hyundai Elantra.

9.9/10
Features

8.1/10
Engine and Performance

7.0/10
Fuel Economy

8.7/10
Interior

9.0/10
Exterior

8.4/10
Safety

Features

9.9/10

With just two trim options available, the 2016 Kia Forte might feel low on choices, however, that is not the case. Amongst the trim levels, the compact sedan shares two engine and transmission options with a standard drivetrain. It gets priced at $15,990 for its base variant undercutting its competitors by a noticeable margin. 

Trim

LX

EX

MSRP (1.8L inline-4)

$15,990

N/A

MSRP (2.0L inline-4)

$17,700

$19,990

Key Features

Keyless Entry

Adds to or retains features of EX

 

Adjustable Steering Wheel with mounted controls

Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel 

 

Remote Trunk Release

Power folding mirrors

 

Satellite Radio

Rearview Camera

 

Cloth Upholstery

Optional Leather Upholstery

 

Optional Rear Spoiler

Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors

We Recommend

We recommend opting for the 2016 Kia Forte EX amongst the trims. In addition to enhancing the existing feature load with improved specifications like power-folding mirrors, cruise control, and a rearview camera. The EX-trim provides as an option a 2.0L engine option that delivers higher power and performance and the 6-speed automatic transmission bestows higher refinement to the ride. 

Engine and Performance

8.1/10

The 2016 Kia Forte features two engine and transmission options that help it cater to a larger number of buyers in the market. The standard 1.8L inline-4 engine is made available only with the base-level LX trim and comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The more powerful engine is a 2.0L four-cylinder unit that is rated 154 hp and 173 lb.-ft. Available as standard with the EX and optional on the LX is a 6-speed automatic transmission with an active-eco system that has a higher level of sophistication. As standard, the power generated is transferred to the front wheels of the sedan, and with the absence of an AWD upgrade rough rides do feel like a problem.

The 2016 Kia Forte can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds, causing it to rank last among its segment. However, it picks up speed to emerge victorious in the quarter-mile run taking 16.2 seconds. While its handling is not the best in the segment, the engine and transmission units do feel responsive to inputs. However, the suspension system does lack adequate refinement on certain sections of the road.

Model

Kia Forte

Honda Civic

Toyota Corolla

Hyundai Elantra

MSRP

$15,990

$18,640

$17,400

$17,250

Engine

1.8L inline-4

2.0L inline-4

1.8L inline-4

1.8L inline-4

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD

FWD

FWD

Transmission

6-speed manual

6-speed manual

6-speed manual

6-speed manual

Power

145hp

158hp

132hp

145hp

Torque

130lb.-ft

138lb.-ft

128lb.-ft

130lb.-ft

0-60 MPH (seconds)

9.5 seconds

8.3 seconds

8.5 seconds

9.5 seconds

Quarter mile (mph)

16.2 seconds

16.5 seconds

16.6 seconds

17.1 seconds

Top speed (mph)

129 MPH

119 MPH

120 MPH

120 MPH

Each sedan in the segment makes use of a similar powertrain setup and differs by the amount of power and torque they produce. Belonging to the same parent company, the 2016 Hyundai Elantra churns out similar outputs as the Kia. While the Honda Civic is the most powerful unit on the block and is rated at 158hp and 138lb.-ft of torque, the 2016 Corolla lurks at the bottom of the table.

The torquey 2016 Honda Civic also gains ascendancy in the acceleration test clocking 8.3 seconds and surprisingly, the Toyota takes 8.5 seconds. The 2016 Hyundai Elantra is the slowest in each test round and finds itself placed at the bottom of the table.

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

The 2016 Kia Forte is impressively efficient. It averages 25 MPG in the city, an affable 37 MPG on the highway, and has a combined mileage of 30 MPG, which is a notch below its competitors. However, it does feature the largest fuel tank in the segment that can hold 13.2-gallons and bestows on the sedan a total range of 330 and 488 miles in the city and on the highway.

Model

Kia Forte

Honda Civic

Toyota Corolla

Hyundai Elantra

MPG (city)

25

27

28

27

MPG (Highway)

37

40

37

37

MPG (Combined)

30

31

31

31

Fuel Capacity

13.2-gallons

12.4-gallons

13.2-gallons

12.8-gallons

Range (City/highway)

330/488

335/496

370/488

346/473

In comparison with its direct competitors, Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota manage a similar combined efficiency of 31 MPG. While the 2016 Civic hosts the least voluminous tank of 12.4-gallons, it manages the highest range on the highway managing 496 miles. The 2016 Elantra and Corolla also manage a similar range as their competitors and each vehicle in the segment is differentiated from the other by the barest of margins.

Interior

8.7/10

The 2016 Kia Forte’s cabin is practical and upholds usefulness. However, it lacks the sophistication that most of its modern rivals possess. While the build quality is top-notch and dependable, some of the materials used feel inferior and the hard-touch plastics do make their way into the cabin. But the availability of a number of standard specifications alongside abundant storage space on the inside covers most of its flaws.

As standard, the Forte can seat five passengers and there is ample legroom available even for rear-seat occupants. While the 2016 Kia Forte LX’s features are adequate, the higher-placed EX trim adds specifications like ventilated seats, leather upholstery, and lumbar support. Irrespective of the trim you opt for, the seats are deeply padded and provide comfort even on long trips. However, we would advise avoiding road imperfections as they can cause a bearing on the comfort level.

Model

Kia Forte

Honda Civic

Toyota Corolla

Hyundai Elantra

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

39.1/56.1/42.2

39.3/56.9/42.3

38.3/54.8/42.3

40/55.9/43.6

Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

37.3/54.9/35.9

37.1/55/37.4

37.1/54.8/41.4

37.1/54.8/33.1

Cargo Capacity (cu.-ft)

14.9

15.1

13

14.9

While the 2016 Toyota Corolla manages best-in-class space for both front and rear-seat occupants, it loses out on essential cargo space. While the Hyundai Elantra has maximum space for front-seat passengers, it does cause a bearing on the legroom at the back. In terms of cargo capacity, the 2016 Honda Civic continues to lead in the segment at 15.1 cubic feet followed by the Kia and Hyundai that have similar space measuring 14.9 cubic feet.

  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel 
  • Cloth/Leather Upholstery
  • Air Conditioning
  • Front and Rear Cupholders

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2016 Kia Forte?

The infotainment system available with the 2016 Kia Forte is easy to use and intuitive. It comes standard with features like Bluetooth Connectivity and USB connection. Depending on the trim you opt for, optional packages can equip the LX and EX trim with 4.3” and 7-inch touchscreens for better performance. Some salient infotainment features include:

  • 4-speaker audio system
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Connection
  • Smartphone Device Integration (optional)
  • HD Radio (optional)
  • Satellite Radio

Exterior

9.0/10

The 2016 Kia Forte carries unchanged from the outgoing model. It still looks premium and the sophistication that it reeks of is evident in each inch of its design. It is adorned with chrome embellishments, particularly around the tiger-nose grille that is typical of the brand.

The headlamps look minimalistic and extend to the grille, looking as if they are a continuation of it. While we love the taillights, they bear an element of idiosyncrasy that may not be appreciated by all. The 2016 Kia Forte’s dimensions are similar to its class rivals; it is 179.5 inches long, 70.1 inches wide, and 56.3 inches tall. It has a total ground clearance of 5.3 inches, which is almost similar to the segment standard and it is also the heaviest vehicle at 2,804 lbs.

Model

Kia Forte

Honda Civic

Toyota Corolla

Hyundai Elantra

Curb Weight (lbs)

2804

2742

2800

2773

Length (in.)

179.5

182.3

182.6

179.1

Width (in.)

70.1

70.8

69.9

69.9

Height (in.)

56.3

55.7

57.3

56.3

Ground Clearance (in.)

5.3

N/A

5.5

5.3

Wheelbase (in.)

106.3

106.3

106.3

106.3

Each sedan in the segment shares a similar wheelbase of 106.3 inches, despite having differing dimensions. While the 2016 Toyota Corolla is the longest and tallest vehicle at 182.6 and 57.3 inches, the Honda Civic is the widest at 70.8 inches. The Hyundai Elantra is eerily similar in dimensions to its competitors, making it difficult to declare a certain winner in the aspect. However, in terms of design, the 2016 Elantra does feel old-fangled, while the 2016 Civic is the most handsome vehicle out of the lot.

Some of the salient exterior features include:

  • Tiger nose front grille
  • 15/17-inch alloy wheels
  • Rear Spoiler 
  • Optional Sun/moonroof

Safety

8.4/10

The 2016 Forte extends Kia’s idea of making luxuriant vehicles that do not compromise the safety of its passengers. It comes equipped with several standard safety specifications like an airbag system, ventilated and solid disc brakes at the front and rear, respectively, and it also gets ABS for improved performance. It scores the highest ratings by both NHTSA and IIHS.

Some standout safety specifications of the 2016 Kia Forte include:

  • Brake Assist
  • Traction and Stability Control
  • Rearview Camera
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System
  • Child Seat Anchors
  • Protection Package

Final Verdict

The 2016 Kia Forte’s sublimity and subtleness alongside its affordability are its key strengths. While it is commodious and sophisticated, the compact sedan gets outdone by its rivals in some aspects. It feels slow-moving and lacks the efficiency its competitors vaunt. Its cabin does lack a certain amount of finesse in its build however, it is a practical setup that comes loaded with best-in-class comfort creatures and infotainment/safety specifications. While a buying decision could be tough, we recommend looking out for other options before finalizing the Kia Forte.

Important 2016 Kia Forte Links:

Similar Cars

2016 Honda Civic
2016 Honda Civic

MSRP: $18,640- $26,500

8.4/10
2016 Nissan Sentra
2016 Nissan Sentra

MSRP: $16,780- $22,170

7.9/10
2016 Subaru Impreza
2016 Subaru Impreza

MSRP: $18,295- $22,595

7.4/10
2016 Toyota Corolla
2016 Toyota Corolla

MSRP: $17,300- $23,125

8.2/10
2016 Volkswagen Jetta
2016 Volkswagen Jetta

MSRP: $17,680- $30,380

8.3/10

Top User Reviews

5

User Overall Rating

Practical and economical compact car

Compact car with bland driving dynamics I was surprised at ...

by Alexandra Brown

9

User Overall Rating

Ideal for senior citizens!

Fuel-friendly and roomy I'm 60 years old and I feel comfort...

by Helena Carter

7

User Overall Rating

Loaded with features.

Best Value Sedan. It's been nearly 5 years since I spent 17...

by Isabel Aguilar

7

User Overall Rating

Inexpensive and comfortable compact car

Economical compact sedan with firm ride on rough pavements....

by Lillian Mackay

4

User Overall Rating

A costly mistake!

Unreliable and cheap The KIA Forte is an ideal option for p...

by Evan Morgan

view more reviews

Latest Forte Stories/Updates