Forte
2023 Kia Forte in Peoria, AZ
- 4.44 (32 Reviews) - Edmunds.com
MSRP
$19,690
MPG
30 City
41 Highway
2023 Kia Forte Review | New Compact Sedan
When you are shopping around for a new car, you will have a number of priorities. Size, affordability, safety and the latest technologies are the most common combination that people are searching for.The 2023 Kia Forte certainly strives to hit all of these marks and a few more.
With its 2022 makeover, the 2023 model year needed few changes to match buyer expectations for new dash tech and driver assistance.The new focus seems to be on strengthening the value proposition for the different trim levels.
In this review, you can get the latest details on today’s Forte, its trim levels, features, spaciousness and styling.
Above Class Styling
One way Kia has improved the Forte is to give it design cues more like the sports sedan, the Kia Stinger.This makes the compact sedan more upscale and more fun.This is such a welcome change in the compact sedan class.
This styling looks even better with the available SynTex leatherette seats.Top trims offer ventilated front seats, the favorite amenity of Phoenix AZ drivers. Shoppers can get pre-approval for a loan through Peoria Kia financing.
Standard Features and Spaciousness
With 96 cubic feet in passenger volume, the Forte has plenty of space for both its driver and occupants.LX trim levels have the 8-inch touchscreen system, keyless entry, and Kia DriveWise assistance.
In addition to its sporty style, the Forte cabin puts an emphasis on softness. That’s why there is deluxe leatherette on the door armrests and other soft touchpoints.Six-way adjustable front row seats are covered in a handsome cloth upholstery.Drivers will appreciate a 4.2-inch display screen and USB port.
The Forte LXS comes in many more exterior colors, and it adds an additional interior color choice. Plus the interior has more amenities and soft touches. This model offers a split-fold 2nd-row bench for flexible cargo space.
The large trunk measures 15.3 cubic feet. That’s bigger than the rival 2022 Honda Civic (14.5 cu ft) or 2022 Nissan Sentra (14.3 cu ft). Furthermore, the Kia trunk is well structured to allow for easier use. It has a wide opening and a flat, wide floor.
GT-Line vs GT Trim Levels
GT-Line cabins have front sport seats. Kia combines a special cloth upholstery with SynTex leatherette to create the GT-Line look.The cockpit gains push button start and a flat-bottom steering wheel.The Smart Trunk function is added along with the Kia Smart Key.
A larger touch screen adds more connectivity, and dual zone automatic climate controls ensure the air conditioning works better. Buyers can add ventilated seats for an even better way to handle summer days.
The 2023 Forte GT has the racier engine and an overall racier style.Cabin details include sport-bolster front seats. Upholstery is either the Syn-Tex-cloth combo or full SynTex seat covers.The full navigation touch screen may be combined with a premium audio system by Harman Kardon.
On the back row, there are more passenger amenities, including dedicated AC vents and a USB port.GT Dual-Clutch Automatic models have additional driver assistance. Manual Transmission GT models have heated seats. Shoppers can get a 10-way power driver’s chair and ventilated seats.
Efficient, Effective Powertrains
In this class, the trick to capability is to keep the car’s weight low and provide a fuel efficient powertrain.The Forte four-cylinder engine generates 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque.
The car doesn’t even weigh 3,000 pounds. This allows for an excellent ratio of weight to horsepower.Rather than a traditional automatic transmission, the Kia Forte has an Intelligent Variable Transmission. This utilizes a torque converter to get the most push from the powertrain.
This combination allows the LX to earn 41 mpg on the highway.This hybrid-like fuel economy is almost as good on the LXS and GT-Line, which earn 39 mpg on the highway.
The speedier Forte GT trim level has a turbocharged engine.Output is 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.This is controlled by the buyer’s choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or a dual-clutch automatic transmission.Kia outfits the GT with a multi-link rear suspension to improve sporty handling without sacrificing ride quality.
Driver Assistance
Today’s driver can expect assistance from a new car. The question of how much assistance varies from brand to brand.Kia Forte shoppers will discover that the LX trim has many advanced features.
The Kia Drive Wise system includes Forward Collision Avoidance Assist.This system has been improved year after year. An emergency autobrake is now combined with a steering assist. These two automatic features may be triggered by a stopping car ahead or a pedestrian stepping in front of the car.
The lane keeping assistance includes the warning system and a steering assist to maintain the car’s trajectory.Also available, the blind spot avoidance system adds warnings to help drivers avoid changing lanes when a neighboring car is too close.These systems may prevent an accident by simply keeping the driver out of a crash scenario.
HIgh beam assist is standard, relieving some of the stress of driving in the dark.Parking assistance includes the standard rearview camera, a rear cross traffic alert, and available parking sensors. Kia has also developed technology called a Safe Exit Assist. This is meant to prevent the driver or passenger from opening a door and stepping into traffic.
Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control
Many cars today have adaptive cruise control (ACC). This feature regulates speed according to the driver’s wishes just as standard cruise does, but it alters it to match the traffic pattern.This makes it safe to use in commuter traffic.
Despite its low price, the Forte offers ACC-Curve. This advanced system coordinates the cruise control with the built-in navigation.This allows the ACC to anticipate curves and alter its approach to maximize both speed and traction.
When HIghway Driving Assist is engaged, the ACC-Curve, lane keeping assist and additional technology to allow for semi-autonomous driving in certain situations.
Entertainment
One big reason to upgrade to a new car is to get one of today’s touch screen systems. The Forte certainly doesn’t disappoint here. It has an 8-inch touch display with advanced capability such as automatic light control.
The system includes HD Radio for better reception and more stations. It doesn’t have built-in navigation, but it can utilize Google Maps via Android Auto connectivity and an Android phone or Apple Maps via Apple CarPlay and an iPhone.
For built-in navigation that informs the adaptive cruise control, there is a 10.25-inch touch screen.This advanced system has better voice controls and excellent color.Kia Connect includes an integrated modem, and Kia adds additional USB ports and speakers.
Forte Reliability
While the compact sedan isn’t expensive, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a high quality product. In fact, it has an extremely high reliability score. JD Power rated it at 87 out of 100.Furthermore, JD Power annual studies demonstrate that the Forte is better than other compact cars when it comes to initial quality.In fact, the Kia sedan beat the 2023 Hyundai Elantra, Subaru Impreza,and other subcompact cars in the class for four years in a row.
Durability and reliability are further assured by the long Kia warranties. These include the 5-year/60,000 Limited warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain warranty. Shoppers can compare these leading automotive warranties to others in the compact sedan class. Most rivals offer only 3-year Limited and 5-year Powertrain coverage.
Please check out our Forte inventory.We are here 7 days a week. So drop by for a test drive or call with your questions.There are no vehicles that match your search criteria currently available online; however, there may be one available in-store. Please fill out the contact form below to express your interest and an experienced sales manager will get back to you.
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APR based on Kia Motors Financing.