The 2020 Kia Forte is available for sale at a starting price of $17,890. The S trim has been discontinued and in its place, the GT-Line trim has been added. The trim line now consists of FE, LXS, GT-Line, and EX. It comes with a 2.0L four-cylinder that makes 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. of torque. Available in just FWD configuration, the Forte has a stellar fuel economy and offers decent acceleration.
2020 Kia Forte three-quarter view
The cabin of the Forte is attractive and features good quality materials. It is quite spacious and hosts an easy-to-use infotainment system. The Forte also offers ample safety features as standard and has also received top safety ratings. The Forte receives challenges from well-equipped rivals such as the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla, and the Hyundai Elantra.
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 Feature
7.0
Features
8.2
Engine and Performance
5.7
Fuel Economy
7.0
Interior
8.2
Exterior
7.0
Safety
8.0
Competition
6.0
7.2
OVERALL RATING
Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide
7.2
Overall Rating
Redesigned just last year, the Kia Forte is one of the most compelling small sedans around- Edmunds
The Kia Forte remains unchanged from yesteryear and frankly, it was already ahead of time back then. Even today, many of its rivals still struggle to match the feature list of Kia. Peek under the hood, and you'll be acquainted with a four-cylinder motor that is smooth but lacks the excitement. As compensation though, it gets you stellar fuel economy along with an intuitive infotainment system. A slew of active safety features is also offered.
However, when it comes to ownership, the Forte's value is higher than its rivals. The true cost to own it is roughly $5,700 per year for its maintenance, repair, fuel, depreciation, etc. Thanks to its stellar fuel economy, the average cost per mile is $0.38, which is really great. The Forte leads the class by earning top reliability ratings. It scored 84 out of 100 in the J.D Power reliability test and ranks on the top of the list.
2020 Kia Forte Front Three-quarter View
2020 Kia Forte Rear Three-quarter View
8.2/10 Features
5.7/10 Engine and Performance
7.0/10 Fuel Economy
8.2/10 Interior
7.0/10 Exterior
8.0/10 Safety
6.0/10 Competition
2020 Kia Forte Buying Advice
The GT-Line trim is our choice as it adds more features for a lesser price tag and dresses up the interior to look sporty. This model adds a leather flat-bottom steering wheel, sport cloth seats with leatherette side bolstering and contrast stitching, LED DRLs, LED taillights, fog lights, power and heated side mirrors, a push-button start, and two additional speakers. Safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist.
2020 Kia Forte three-quarter view
2020 Kia Forte Features
8.2/10
The 2020 Kia Forte is well-equipped as standard and near luxurious in top-tier forms, all for under $24,000- The Car Connection
This year, Kia has added a new trim to the lineup called GT-Line and renamed LS to LSX. The other trims include FE and EX. The Forte can be purchased as low as $17,890, without adding a destination fee tag of $995. For such a low price tag, Kia offers many standard technologies and safety features, keeping itself competitive in the segment. Along with that, Kia also offers several optional packages and accessories for the Forte.
2020 Kia Forte side angle view
Among the trim levels, the LSX trim is one such trim that is oddly priced. It does not add any comfort or technological equipment but has a price tag of $19,290. The $1,500 GT-Line Premium package adds an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, power sunroof, satellite radio, voice recognition, UVO eServices, two USB ports, dual illuminating vanity mirrors, and wireless charger. Remote start is available in the LSX trim for $495.
Trims
FE
LXS
GT-Line
EX
MSRP (FWD)
$17,890
$19,290
$20,490
$22,990
Key Features
8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Adds/ Upgrades to FE trim
Adds/ Upgrades to LX trim
Adds/ Upgrades to S trim
4-speaker stereo
16-inch alloy wheels
LED DRLs & taillights
10-way power driver's seat q/ power lumbar support
Rearview camera
60/40 split-folding rear seat
Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel
Heated & ventilated front sport seats
Bluetooth connectivity
Gloss Black Bumper
Power adjustable & heated exterior mirrors
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Lane keep assist
Drive Mode Select (DMS)
Push-button start
Satellite radio
Forward collision avoidance
6-speaker stereo
UVO eServices
Driver attention monitoring
Sport cloth seats with leatherette side bolstering
We’re already impressed with the sedan’s suspension tuning. It’s firm, but comfortable. Its high-speed stability is extraordinary- Autoweek
Every Kia Forte comes with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. of torque. The base variant comes with a six-speed manual transmission while a CVT is optional. Higher spec models come with a standard CVT. The shifts of the CVT are seamless and power is evenly distributed over the whole rev range. It does a good job of mimicking a traditional 6-speed automatic.
2020 Kia Forte engine
The ride quality provided by the MacPherson struts and a torsion beam in the rear is firm but comfortable. In return for that stiffness, it handles pretty well. One thing counting against it is the rear torsion beam suspension. It tends to be a little nervous over mid-corner bumps. That is the case with the Forte but not at objectionable levels. The car feels stable on the highway, yet willing to change directions when the road starts to curve.
2020 Kia Forte takes 8.7 sec to reach 60 MPH
Acceleration in the Forte is linear and it takes 8.7 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 MPH. It further sprints to cover the quarter-mile flag in 16.6 seconds and tops at 115 MPH. For a compact sedan, these figures are pretty decent. The Forte’s brakes are firm with short pedal travel. They are easy to modulate in stop-and-go traffic and also on tight curves. The 125 feet stopping distance from 60-0 MPH is above average.
Models
2020 Kia Forte
2020 Toyota Corolla
2020 Honda Civic
2020 Hyundai Elantra
MSRP
$17,890
$18,700
$20,250
$19,300
Engine
2.0L Inline-4
1.8L Inline-4
2.0L Inline-4
2.0L Inline-4
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
FWD
FWD
Transmission
6-Speed Manual
CVT
6-Speed Manual
CVT
Power
147 hp @ 6,200 RPM
139 hp @ 6,100 RPM
158 hp @ 6,500 RPM
147 hp @ 6,200 RPM
Torque
132 lb-ft. @ 4,500 RPM
126 lb-ft. @ 3,900 RPM
138 lb-ft. @ 4,200 RPM
132 lb-ft. @ 4,500 RPM
0-60 MPH
8.7 sec
9.9 sec
8.2 sec
9.5 sec
Quarter Mile
16.6 sec
17.2 sec
16.3 sec
17.3 sec
Top Speed
115 MPH
115 MPH
120 MPH
115 MPH
With more power than the Forte, the Honda Civic has the best performance stats in this competition. Also, it is the only vehicle here to offer a standard manual transmission like the Forte. Although equally powered as the Forte, the Hyundai Elantra uses a standard CVT, and hence, its acceleration becomes sluggish. Its kind of the same story as the Toyota Corolla and has the worst acceleration numbers here.
With the various engine and transmission options, the Forte is a mixed bag for fuel economy- Carbuzz
The Kia Forte’s engine employs the Atkinson cycle, which results in better fuel economy. A base Forte, fitted with the 6-speed manual transmission, delivers an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 MPG in the city, 37 MPG on a highway, and 31 MPG combined. The other trims employ a CVT transmission for better fuel economy.
2020 Kia Forte side driving view
The fuel ratings include 29 MPG in the city, 40 MPG on a highway, and 33 MPG combined. All the trims come equipped with a 14-gallon fuel tank. At its full capacity, the Forte can deliver 448 miles in mixed proportions with a manual transmission while models with CVT transmission raise the bar to 483 miles, which is great for a compact sedan.
Models
2020 Kia Forte
2020 Toyota Corolla
2020 Honda Civic
2020 Hyundai Elantra
MPG (City)
27
30
28
31
MPG (Highway)
37
38
36
41
MPG (Combined)
31
33
29
35
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallon)
14.0
13.2
12.4
14.0
Range (City/Highway/Combined; Miles)
378/518/448
396/502/449
310/446/378
434/574/504
The Hyundai Elantra has the best fuel estimates thanks to the CVT transmission that it comes standard with. The Toyota Corolla also boasts great efficiency and delivers 2 MPG combined more than the Forte. The Honda Civic doesn't stay put as it also has good efficiency but its small tank results in less driving range than other class rivals.
You won't think you're in a luxury car, but the Forte's cabin is still nice- Autotrader
The Kia Forte will remind you of the Optima from inside, or, in other words, it's good-looking and well equipped. The minimalistic design, with a wide horizontal theme and beautifully contoured dash, can be compared with an entry-level Audi. Soft-touch materials adorn the front door panels and armrests while leather-textured black plastic decorates the dashboard. The front seats, which provide ample comfort throughout the day, are well suited for taller drivers.
2020 Kia Forte dashboard
The driver's seat is 10-way power-adjustable on the EX trim and up . This trim also adds heated and ventilated front seats. Likewise, the rear seats are pretty comfortable too. The rear row is decent in terms of legroom and headroom. The middle armrest is around an inch higher and longer than the previous variant, which improves it much for, well, lavishly resting your arm. The Forte’s outward visibility is excellent due to the well-designed A & C pillars.
2020 Kia Forte infotainment system
The 8-inch touchscreen sits high on the dash, within easy view of the driver. Even on the base trim, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are offered, which is really great. The interface is intuitive and processes command quickly. There are clearly labeled physical buttons and knobs to adjust audio and cabin climate settings. The standard sound system includes a four-speaker stereo on lower trims. Some trims add two more speakers but an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is available.
Models
2020 Kia Forte
2020 Toyota Corolla
2020 Honda Civic
2020 Hyundai Elantra
Passenger Capacity
5
5
5
5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
38.8/56.1/42.2
38.3/54.0/42.0
39.3/57.0/42.3
40.3/56.2/42.2
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
37.5/55.3/35.7
37.1/51.7/34.8
37.1/55.0/37.4
37.3/55.3/35.7
Cargo Space (cu-ft.)
15.3
13.1
15.1
14.4
The Forte has one of the largest trunks in its class. Once you pop up the trunk, you will see 15.3 cubes of cargo space. The rear seats can be folded down to make more space for storing your articles but not in the base variant. Also optional is a hands-free power trunk, which pops open when you stand behind the car with the smart key on your person. The trunk has a wide opening and the flat loading lip ensures easy loading of items. Some main cabin features of the Forte are:
There’s a hint of Stinger about the Forte, which is a good thing- Kelly Blue Book
The Kia Forte has one of the most favorite designs in the compact sedan segment. It is a very mature and handsome-looking vehicle. It received a complete refresh last year and continues with the same changes. the Kia Forte gets a more appealing exterior, with edgier lines and the prominent tiger grille upfront. Taller and wider than the previous generation, the Forte has a more imposing presence than ever before. Although it's far from the Stinger's twin, the Forte adopts some of the most prominent features from the sporty hatch, such as the long hood, fastback profile, and sweptback headlights.
2020 Kia Forte three-quarter view
Speaking of headlights, they have a butterfly-like design that is halogen throughout the range. You get LED DRLs and fog lamps from the GT-Line trim onwards. The wheel arches house 15, 16, and 17-inch alloy wheels depending on the trim level. The Forte flaunts slightly high ground clearance for a sedan, which is good enough to escape those high bumps on the road. Its wheelbase is on par with its rivals, which indicates a spacious interior. At the back, the taillights feature a full-length LED strip, which keeps the design relevant for 2020. Overall, the Forte has a pleasant face and looks modernish.
Models
2020 Kia Forte
2020 Toyota Corolla
2020 Honda Civic
2020 Hyundai Elantra
Curb Weight (lbs)
2,707
2,910
2,762
2,844
Length (in)
182.7
182.3
182.7
181.9
Width (in)
70.9
70.1
70.9
70.9
Height (in)
56.5
56.5
55.7
56.5
Ground Clearance (in)
5.6
5.1
5.6
5.3
Wheelbase (in)
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
The Toyota Corolla sits 0.5 inches lower than the Forte. This helps to get in and out of the vehicle easily. The Hyundai Elantra weighs slightly more than the Forte and hence, its on-road performance isn't that great. The Honda Civi along with the other rivals on the table share the same wheelbase with the Forte. However, the Civic's rear row boasts more legroom than the others. Some main exterior features of the Forte are:
Kia offers a handful of standard and optional driver-assistance features- CarAndDriver
The Kia Forte was well-received by both the safety agencies. NHTSA gave four out of five stars for its performance in all the crash tests. Meanwhile, IIHS awarded the vehicle with the second-highest Top Safety Pick designation for its extraordinary results. Therefore, there's no running away from the fact that the Forte is a safe vehicle.
2020 Kia Forte IIHS crash test
In view of safety features, Kia adds a few of them under the standard list. To get access to all the safety features, you need to either buy the top trim level or upgrade to an optional package. Moreover, a total of eight airbags are installed in the cabin of the Forte. All these features can avoid getting into an accident. Some of the safety features are:
Rearview camera
Lane departure warning
Lane keep assist
Forward collision warning
Automatic emergency braking
Driver attention & drowsiness monitor
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear cross-traffic alert
Adaptive cruise control
Auto high-beams
Reverse parking sensors
Pedestrian detection
2020 Kia Forte Competition
6.0/10
2020 Kia Forte vs 2020 Honda Civic
The Forte is a better value product because of the lower price tag but the Honda Civic offers a spacious cabin. The Civic also has athletic handling along with a comfortable ride. Choosing between these two may just come down to whether you want more amenities at a cheaper price with the Forte or better overall performance with the Civic. The Forte has an upper hand thanks to heaps of standard infotainment amenities.
2020 Honda Civic
2020 Kia Forte vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra has one of the lower base prices in the segment, but it lacks enough standard safety features. The Elantra offers three engine options while the Forte sticks to two. The Elantra's trunk volume is less, which makes the Forte a better option. The Elantra offers a better fuel economy even in the base trim as it uses a CVT transmission. The Elantra is a good car but it does not stack up well against the Forte.
2020 Hyundai Elantra
2020 Kia Forte vs 2020 Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is an excellent daily driver but is a bit dreary to drive. You will get less of everything, such as cargo space, rear-seat room, and infotainment features except fuel economy. The Forte is still a better alternative in this aspect. Where the Corolla beats the Forte is in terms of safety and reliability. The Corolla packs more standard safety features but in terms of overall performance, the Kia Forte is a sure winner.
2020 Toyota Corolla
2020 Kia Forte Final Verdict
The 2020 Kia Forte may not be athletic but it does a lot of things well. It falls on the shopping list of nearly every compact car buyer as it is spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped at an economical price tag. With upmarket material and a long list of standard features, this Kia proves to be a compelling choice. The ride quality may not be aspiring like the Mazda 3 or Honda Civic but its turbocharged engine is a blaring deal. By all means, the Forte is a much better alternative to many subcompacts like the Corolla.
2020 Kia Forte front angle view
2020 Kia Forte FAQs
What kind of problems does the Kia Forte have?
According to the complaints registered on NHTSA, the Kia Forte suffers from engine knocking sounds, rough engine operation, overheating exterior lights, and airbag light issues.
Which 2020 Kia Forte has a sunroof?
A power sunroof is not a standard feature in the Kia Forte. It is available as an optional feature for the GT-Line trim.
Does the Kia Forte have a turbocharger?
No, the Kia Forte is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine.
What is the difference between GT and GT-Line trim?
The main difference is the engine. The GT-Line gets a 2.0L inline-4 whereas the GT trim is equipped with a 1.6L turbo-4 engine. Being the top-of-the-line model, the GT trim also adds some unique comfort and safety features to the list.
How long does the 2020 Kia Forte last?
If maintained properly, the Kia Forte has a lifecycle of up to 300,000 miles.
