KiaForte GT

　　

2023 Kia Forte GT Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　, rating written byMark TakahashiSenior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax

　　Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at zzdcar. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.

　　Kia's 2023 Forte might not have the same level of name recognition as some other small sedans but it's one you'll definitely want to look into. It's typically priced a little less than its direct rivals and, depending on the trim level, comes with a few extra features. Combined with high fuel economy, strong performance from the GT trim, and a generous warranty, the Forte provides compelling value.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Kia Forte GT 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$125/mo  for Forte GT

　　Forte GT

　　GT 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) (Most Popular) - $24,390 MSRPGT 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $25,090 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Helping matters is a significant refresh that took place last year, with updated styling and new features. The 2023 Forte is pretty much unchanged. Last year's FE trim is now called the LX and the GT trim gets a few new standard features, such as adaptive cruise control, that were previously optional. Overall, the Forte is a competitive pick alongside top rivals including the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Mazda 3. Check out our full report on the Kia Forte by reading our test team's Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Forte GT drive? The Forte GT's quick-spooling turbo and smartly tuned transmission combine to deliver satisfying everyday thrust. At our test track, a GT equipped with the automatic transmission accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a respectably quick 6.6 seconds. That's a bit quicker than the Civic Si. Downside? The engine sounds like a vacuum cleaner sucking a rug when you rev it hard, and the sport exhaust also drones faintly while you're cruising.

　　Turning to handling, the Forte GT provides a respectably sporty feel in corners. Compared to the rival Honda Civic Si, it doesn't feel as sharp or athletic, but you'll likely only notice if you're driving near the limit. Our test car turned in a subpar 126-foot emergency stop from 60 mph, but it's all about the all-season tires — we previously tested a 2020 model with the then-optional summer tires and recorded an excellent 107-foot stop. If you want to unlock the GT's braking potential, save room in the budget for a set of summers.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Forte GT? The Forte GT impresses with a relatively quiet cabin, capable air conditioning and a not-too-firm ride given its sporting aspirations. The front seats deliver adequate support, though enthusiastic drivers may wish for more lateral bolstering. Driving along at 70 mph, you're comfortable in your seat, the climate control system's working unobtrusively, and noise suppression is good enough that you can hear a podcast without issue. That's strong stuff for an affordable sporty sedan.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below