2019 Kia Forte Review
zzdcar' Expert Review
byDan FrioReviews EditorDan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
What's new
The Kia Forte sedan has been fully redesigned for 2019Stinger-influenced style and many new featuresIntroduced back in the 2010 model year, the Kia Forte was originally aimed at young buyers seeking a stylish and affordable compact car. The redesigned 2019 Kia Forte continues that mission, but it's no longer just an alternative to the establishment. This Forte is a desirable car in its own right thanks to a sharp design, engaging performance, and plenty of technology and safety features for the money.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Kia Forte FE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M) 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 $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota$121/mo for Forte FE
Forte FE
FE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M) - $17,790 MSRPFE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $18,690 MSRPLXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $19,190 MSRPS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $20,290 MSRPEX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $21,990 MSRP
vs
$164/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
The Forte enters its third generation with new styling cues. The long hood and fastback-style sloping roofline mimic those from Kia's top Stinger sport sedan. Power hasn't changed; the Forte still uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 147 horsepower, but a new continuously variable automatic transmission promises improved fuel economy. Last year's sporty Forte SX, with its turbocharged 201-hp engine, has been discontinued, but a similarly themed Forte GT is set to arrive for the 2020 model year.
The new-generation Forte also retains the model's main draws: a wealth of desirable standard features starting from the base trim level, including dual-zone air conditioning, an 8-inch touchscreen tech interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and driver safety aids including automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist.
That's just the start, too. The top EX trim offers premium touches such as faux leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a hands-free trunk. All Fortes also have 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, a sizable amount for any compact car.
The new Forte isn't without compromise, however. Acceleration is adequate, but we wouldn't call it impressive. Improved handling characteristics come at the expense of a stiffer ride, and overall the Forte's performance chops aren't quite as polished as those of its Honda and Mazda rivals. But for many drivers, the differences will be hard to spot. Overall, the Forte more than satisfies with its mix of great features, attractive style and appealing price.
zzdcar' Expert Rating
7.9 / 10
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Kia Forte EX (2.0L inline-4 | CVT automatic | FWD).
Scorecard
Overall | 7.9 / 10 |
Driving | 7.0 |
Comfort | 8.0 |
Interior | 8.0 |
Utility | 8.5 |
Technology | 8.0 |
Driving
7.0The Forte is ultimately a middle-of-the-road performer. Kia has done a good job making the relatively low-power engine feel stronger than its numbers suggest. In routine driving, the Forte feels confident enough. But start to push it and the Forte simply can't keep pace with top rivals.
Acceleration
6.5The Forte feels adequately punchy around town and accelerates well at freeway speeds. It can keep pace with turbocharged competitors, but its CVT automatic is unrefined in its power delivery. Our as-tested 0-60 mph time of 8.7 seconds is middle of the road for the class.
Braking
8.0The brake pedal is solid and responsive, especially as you dig down for stronger braking. Its linear response instills confidence even in emergency situations. We measured a 60-0 mph panic-stop distance of 120 feet, which is right up there with the best in the class.
Steering
7.0The on-center feel is vague, but the Forte tracks well on long freeway drives. Steering weight builds rapidly, suggesting a sportiness that's at odds with the rest of the car's dynamics. There's no real feedback from the front wheels, but steering is precise enough that there's no issue for routine driving.
Handling
6.0The Forte corners relatively flatly and feels stable at moderate speeds. Its torsion-beam rear suspension is upset by midcorner bumps in quicker driving, and its overbearing stability control system further discourages you to have fun along a twisty road. Past a certain point, its dynamics are unrewarding.
Drivability
7.0Kia's CVT automatic generally works well but at times feels unpolished. It delivers power promptly when commanded, avoiding a rubber-band sensation, but is too eager to drop revs when you ease off the throttle slightly. This characteristic can make for a surging power delivery, especially in sporty driving. Honda's CVT is better.
Comfort
8.0The supportive seats, quiet cabin, and straightforward climate controls are the highlights. The Forte has a stiffer and less refined ride compared to some competitors, but otherwise this car scores well for comfort.
Seat comfort
9.0The bottom seat cushions are a bit flat, but they can be inclined, which helps. The seatback is contoured nicely and there's just enough padding for long-distance comfort. We appreciate the relatively soft and unobtrusive headrests, which might be the most comfortable spot to rest your dome in the whole class.
Ride comfort
6.0The Forte's ride is on the stiffer side. However, it doesn't feel busy over rough paving or shallow imperfections. Where it stumbles is in smoothing out larger bumps. The rear suspension in particular is especially troubled by uneven bumps.
Noise & vibration
8.0On the whole, the Forte is quieter than many other cars in the class. There's some wind and traffic noise that comes in through the doors, but it's not overwhelming. Road noise is handled well. Poor surfaces can create intrusive road noise, but on the whole noise is less of an issue than for quite a few cars in the class.
Climate control
9.0The dual-zone system is easy to set to your liking, and it manages temperature nicely when left to its own devices. The rear seat vent is a nice touch. It's great to see heated and cooled seats at this price point, although its seat cooling is only marginally effective.
Interior
8.0Kia has done an excellent job designing the Forte's interior. A mix of textures makes the well-built interior look more grown-up and refined. The controls are logical and easy to find, and the seating position offers a wide range of adjustability. That said, the rear seats don't offer much legroom, and visibility is a mixed bag.
Ease of use
9.0Kia is generally very smart about control layout, and the Forte is no exception. The buttons are clearly marked and grouped logically, and the infotainment is easy to navigate with physical buttons for important features. Overall, it's easy to figure the Forte out.
Getting in/getting out
8.0The seats are at a nice height relative to the ground, making it easy to pivot in and out, and the door openings are tall enough that only taller passengers will have to duck. The lower sills are a bit wide, making for more deliberate movements when entering the back seat.
Driving position
8.5Usably high armrests on both sides are a plus, and there's plenty of seat adjustability for those drivers who want to sit closer and higher. The steering wheel telescopes far enough that taller drivers won't have to stretch to reach controls.
Roominess
6.5The front seat is roomy with plenty of knee and shoulder room. Taller drivers have sufficient headroom, too. Rear-seat knee room falls short of class leaders (and the hard plastic seatbacks don't help), but headroom will only run out for passengers over 6 feet tall. There's generous toe room under the front seatbacks.
Visibility
7.0The windshield pillars are wide but shaped in a way that prevents serious blind spots. Side and rearview mirrors provide a good aft view. Porthole windows in the rear roof pillars don't help much since they're quite small and positioned oddly. The rearview camera provides a clear view, even at night.
Quality
8.5The Forte feels solidly put together, and even better it presents well, with an attractive mix of materials and surfaces. Most touch points are covered with something pleasant, and while there's a lot of hard plastic it's generally well-integrated and it doesn't make the car look cheap or lightweight.
Utility
8.5For a small sedan, the Forte offers excellent utility. The trunk is large for the class, with a wide, flat load floor and a generous opening. Inside the cabin, there's lots of small-item storage options to help you organize your stuff.
Small-item storage
8.0There are a decent number of options for stashing small items, with some neat little trays and a decently sized center console box. All four doors get door pockets that can hold a water bottle as well. It doesn't have more space than top competitors, but it allows for some separation and organization.
Cargo space
9.0The trunk has an accommodating opening, and the liftover isn't too high for a sedan. The load floor is both wide and deep, and the rear wheelwells don't create too dramatic an incursion. It's a very usable space.
Child safety seat accommodation
7.0LATCH points are clearly marked, and the anchors sit close to the surface of the cushions, making them easy to access. The somewhat limited backseat room means bulky rear-facing seats might interfere with front-seat movement.
Technology
8.0Overall, the Kia offers a lot of well-integrated features, from an excellent touchscreen interface to good device integration and useful — if limited — voice controls. There's also a full suite of safety features and driver aids. But adaptive cruise is an option available only on the highest trim level.
Audio & navigation
8.5Our tester's upgraded stereo has decent clarity for the class and plenty of volume, although it can get harsh at higher volumes. There's no nav, but you do get smartphone integration, and the infotainment system is easy to navigate.
Smartphone integration
8.0Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integrate well, and the Uvo app has some useful features. On lower trims you get two USB ports. Higher trim levels get three ports, and you can even get a wireless charging pad. Wi-Fi isn't available.
Driver aids
7.5We were surprised to find adaptive cruise missing from our top-tier tester (it's an option even on the highest trim level), but it has a full suite of driver aids including blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning. These systems worked well, avoiding false alerts.
Voice control
8.0Smartphone controls integrate seamlessly, and the native system handles basic commands with little confusion. A command menu is displayed, but in some cases you can bypass steps once you learn the logic.
Which Forte does zzdcar recommend?
With four trim levels, choosing the right Forte largely depends on what you're looking for. For a practical and well-equipped car, we'd suggest the LXS. It's a step above the base model, and with that you get larger alloy wheels, the upgraded transmission, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, and nicer interior soft-touch surfaces.
2019 Kia Forte models
The 2019 Kia Forte is available in four trim levels: FE, LXS, S, and EX. All are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower, 132 pound-feet of torque). A six-speed manual transmission comes with the FE, while a continuously variable automatic transmission is standard-issue on all other trim levels.
Standard features on the FE include 15-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a four-speaker audio system with USB and auxiliary audio jacks. The FE also comes with a rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist.
Moving up to the LXS adds 16-inch alloy wheels, selectable drive modes, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, and soft-touch dash and door surfaces. The S trim continues the upgrades with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, foglights, a rear-seat armrest, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a six-speaker audio system, satellite radio and Kia's Uvo communication services. Features included in the optional S Premium package are a sunroof, LED headlights and automatic high beams.
The EX trim adds the final touches with heated side mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer, push-button ignition, keyless entry, keyless trunk opener, simulated-leather upholstery, a power adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a sliding armrest and two extra USB ports. Additional driver aids on the EX include blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist.
Still want more? The EX Launch Edition package adds a load of premium features, including unique 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, a rear decklid spoiler, LED headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a larger gauge cluster display, a navigation system with voice controls, a wireless device charger, and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with HD radio. This package also includes adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection for the automatic emergency braking system, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams.
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2019 Forte Highlights
Trim: FELXSSEXFE
Base MSRP | $17,790 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 31 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $121/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
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