KiaForte

　　

2023 Kia Forte 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 LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) 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

　　$109/mo  for Forte LX

　　Forte LX

　　LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $19,690 MSRPLXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $20,190 MSRPGT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $21,890 MSRPGT 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $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

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Forte drive? In routine driving, the Forte feels adequately punchy. At zzdcar' test track, our test Forte covered 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds, which is an average time for the class. The CVT automatic generally works well but at times feels unpolished. It delivers power promptly when commanded, but it's too eager to drop revs when you ease off the throttle slightly. It can make for surging power delivery.

　　We're also not overly impressed with the Forte's handling. The steering weight is fine but offers little feedback, and the on-center feel is vague. While the Forte corners relatively flat, it can get unsettled by midcorner bumps.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Forte? The Forte is more comfortable than most cars in the class. The seats are nicely contoured for long-distance comfort, and the headrests are soft and unobtrusive. Road noise is ably quelled, and only a mild amount of wind and ambient noise seeps through. The dual-zone automatic climate control works well. We also like that Kia offers ventilated front seats, although the cooling effect isn't especially powerful.

　　The biggest knock against the Forte here is its stiff suspension. It's OK on rough pavement or shallow imperfections, but it struggles to smooth out larger bumps. The rear suspension, in particular, is especially troubled by uneven bumps.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below