Kia Forte and Forte5 Research Guide

The Highlights

The Forte and Forte5 are grown-up small sedans that are a fantastic value for the money, with above-average utility. This five-seater car is available as a 4-door sedan, or 5-door hatchback in the Kia Forte5. With the heart of the sporty Kia Stinger, the Forte and Forte5 slot nicely between the subcompact Kia Rio and the larger Kia K5 sedan.

The Kia Forte sedan has a host of enhancements which include new front and rear design elements, an upgraded 10.25-inch widescreen navigation display, and an expanded suite of new and existing safety features. 

Honours the Kia Forte and Forte5 have received:

  • 2020/2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick
  • 2020 JD Power Top Compact Car in Initial Quality
  • 2021 Best Compact Car for the Money US News & World Report
  • 2019 AJAC Canadian Car of the Year, small car category

The Forte and Forte5 count the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, and Toyota Corolla as its main competitors.

How does the Forte Compare?

The Kia Forte and Forte5 have many trim levels to choose from, starting at $19,940 including freight. New offerings across the model range include LXS Technology, GT-Line Technology, and GT Technology, each with a unique combination of tech and Drive Wise features. For the driving enthusiasts among us, the top-end GT trim offers a 201 horsepower turbocharged 4 cylinder engine and is augmented with tight handling and an available 6-speed manual transmission, which is increasingly rare these days. 

But how do they stack up against the top competitors in the segment? Let's take a peek.

**All prices include freight**

Kia
Forte

  • FORTE LX IVT $22,095
  • FORTE EX IVT $23,795
  • FORTE EX PREMIUM  EVT $27,195
  • FORTE GT-LINE IVT $29,095
  • FORTE GT LTD DCT $32,295
  • FORTE5 EX IVT $24,895
  • FORTE5 GT DCT $30,195
  • FORTE5 GT LTD DCT $33,295

Honda
Civic

  • LX $26,465
  • EX $28,465
  • SPORT $29,565
  • TOURING $31,995
  • SI $34,850

Mazda3

 

  • GX $23,075
  • GS $27,075
  • GT $32,775

Hyundai
Elantra

  • Essential $19,949
  • Preferred $25,799
  • Ultimate $27,469

Toyota
Corolla

  • L $21,295
  • LE $24,095
  • SE $24,595
  • XLE $29,395
  • XSE $30,895

Kia Forte Trim Levels

LX MT

  • 5-year/100,000 km - Worry-Free Comprehensive Warranty
  • 5 year/ unlimited mileage - 24/7 roadside Assistance
  • 2.0 MPI 4-cyclinder engine, manual 6-speed transmission
  • cruise control
  • 15" steel wheels
  • heated front seats
  • air conditioning
  • 8" display audio
  • rear-view camera with dynamic parking guidance
  • bluetooth
  • keyless entry

LX IVT

  • Adds to LX MT
  • Automatic transmission

EX IVT

  • Adds to LX IVT
  • Blindspot detection and blindspot collision avoidance
  • rear cross traffic alert
  • forward collision avoidance
  • lane keep assist and lane follow assist
  • driver attention alert
  • 16" machine finish wheels
  • heated steering wheel
  • wireless cell charger
  • 6 speakers
  • rear USB charger

EX+ IVT

  • Adds to EX IVT
  • 17” Machine Finish Alloy Wheels
  • Sunroof

EX Premium IVT

  • Adds to EX+ IVT
  • Smart cruise control
  • Advanced Forward Collision Avoidance Assist
  • Electric parking brake
  • Power windows
  • UVO Intelligence
  • Smart key with pushbutton start
  • Remote engine start

 

GT-Line IVT

  • Adds to EX Premium IVT
  • Highway Drive Assist
  • Advanced Smart Cruise Control
  • 17" alloy wheels in graphite
  • Rear spoiler
  • Red point radiator grille
  • CFR Sport Bucket Seats with white stitching
  • 10-way power driver seat
  • ventilated front seat
  • heated rear seat
  • metal sports pedals
  • sport leather steering wheel
  • 10.25" navigation

GT-Line DCT

  • Adds to GT-Line IVT
  • 1.6 L T-GDI 4-cylinder engine, 7-speed dual clutch ET
  • Paddle shifter (push button type)
  • Rear multi-link, tuned spring and damper
  • Electronic Sound Generator
  • Larger front disc brakes
  • 18" alloy wheeels with red accents
  • Dual muffler and rear bumper diffuser
  • FR Sport Bucket Seats with red stitching, vegan leather
  • Harmon Kardon Premium Sound

Kia Forte5 Trim Levels

EX IVT

Price     $24,340

  • 5-year/100,000 km - Worry-Free Comprehensive Warranty
  • 5 year/ unlimited mileage - 24/7 roadside Assistance
  • 2.0 MPI 4-cyclinder engine, auto IVT transmission
  • cruise control
  • Blindspot detection and blindspot collision avoidance
  • rear cross traffic alert
  • forward collision avoidance
  • lane keep assist and lane follow assist
  • driver attention alert
  • Rear seat occupant alert
  • 16" machine finish wheels
  • Heated sideview mirrors with turn signals
  • Heated front seats
    Air conditioning
    8" display audio
  • Android Auto and Apple Carplay / bluetooth
    rear-view camera
    keyless entry
  • wireless cell charger
  • rear USB charger

GT DCT

Price      $29,640

  • Adds to EX IVT
  • 1.6L T-GDI-4-cyclinder engine, 7-speed dual clutch auto transmission
  • Paddle shifter drive mode
  • Rear multi-link, tuned spring and damper
  • Larger front disc brakes
  • 18" alloy wheels
  • twin-tip exhaust
  • Sunroof
  • Sports seats with leatherette and cloth
  • Sports Leather Steering wheel
  • Metal sports pedals
  • Smart key with push button start
  • UVO
  • Satellite radio

GT Limited DCT

Price      $32,640

  • Adds to GT DCT
  • Smart cruise control
  • Advanced Forward Collision Avoidance Assist
  • Highway Drive Assist
  • Electric parking brake
  • 10.25" navigation
  • Harmon Kardon Premium Sound
  • Vegan leather seats
  • Power driver's seat
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Heated rear seats

Sedan or Hatchback, the choice is yours

 

The All-New Exterior Design

  • Sleeker, more expressive headlight designs
  • Next-generation tiger-nose grille
  • Revised front and rear bumpers to accentuate a wider, stronger image
  • LED fog lights seamlessly integrated into air-intake grille (available)
  • New 16-inch and 17-inch dark metal gray alloy wheel designs (available)
  • Sportier LED taillight/rear combination lamp design (available)
  • New trunk lid spoiler emphasizes rear width and stability

 

A Fully Loaded Interior

The Kia Forte and Forte5 deliver a luxurious passenger experience with its modern cabin. It’s defined by driver-centric, high-tech interior space. Key feature enhancements include:

  • A larger 4.2-inch color TFT LCD cluster (standard on all trims)
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is now standard through the 8-inch touchscreen display audio/infotainment system
  • 10.25-inch wide touchscreen navigation/infotainment standard on GT and GT-Line
  • Smart Key now features remote start (standard on Forte GT, GT-Line; Forte5 GT LTD)
  • Available SynTex synthetic leather seating

In addition, the Forte continues to deliver a comfortable and spacious five-seat cabin:

  • The Forte offers 434 litres of cargo volume, and 2718 litres of total interior volume.
  • The Forte5 offers 741 litres of cargo volume with seats down, 428 litres of cargo volume with the seatbacks up, and 2728 litres of total interior volume.

 

Under the Hood

The Forte and Forte5 offer two proven engines. This allows customers to choose between an enjoyable driving experience that is either smooth and efficient… or deliberately sporty and responsive.

  • The Forte 2.0-liter Nu Atkinson MPI 6-speed manual transmission engine has 147 HP and 132 lbs torque. It has an estimated fuel economy of 8.8/6.1 city/highway.
  • The Forte 2.0-liter Nu Atkinson MPI IVT engine has 147 HP and 132 lbs torque. It has an estimated fuel economy of 7.9/5.9 city/highway.
  • The Forte 1.6-liter Gamma Turbo GDI 7-speed DCT engine has 201 HP and 195lbs torque. It has an estimated fuel economy of 8.7/6.6 city/highway.
  • The Forte5 2.0-liter Nu Atkinson MPI IVT engine has 147 HP and 132 lbs torque. It has an estimated fuel economy of 8.0/6.0 city/highway.
  • The Forte5 1.6-liter Gamma Turbo GDI 7-speed DCT engine has 201 HP and 195lbs torque. It has an estimated fuel economy of 8.9/6.9 city/highway.

Extra Large 10.25-inch Display

Larger 10.25-inch display - The Kia Forte GT line and GT trims offer a larger 10.25-inch display that upgrades the standard 8-inch display. The extra screen size makes navigating music, phone, and navigation options a breeze. 

Powerful GT Engine

More powerful GT Engine - Upgrading to the GT trim offers more than a nicer interior with improved technology and safety features. The GT trim also offers a more powerful engine that outputs 201 horsepower from its turbocharged engine. The GT gives you the option of either a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) or 6-speed manual transmission. 

Spacious Interior

Room for everything you throw at it - The Forte offers 111.3 cubic feet of passenger and storage space. Offering a spacious experience for all 5 passengers plus plenty of cargo room for your life on the go.  

Drive Wise Features

The 2022 Kia Forte has a laundry list of both active and passive driver assist features, with up to 15 systems in total. Here are 5 safety features that are brand new to the Forte:

  • Lane Following Assist (LFA): Follows lane markings that the system detects and provides steering inputs to help maintain the vehicle in the center of the lane.
  • Highway Driving Assist (HDA): Uses federal highway speed limit information from the navigation system. And, under certain conditions, will automatically adjust speed to be within the posted speed limit. It helps to maintain distance with the vehicle detected in front.
  • Navigation Based Smart Cruise Control-Curve (NSCC-C): Leverages the navigation system to lower the vehicle’s speed proactively before upcoming curves.
  • Navigation Based Smart Cruise Control-Zone (NSCC-Z): Leverages the navigation system to lower the vehicle’s speed proactively to adapt to changing speed limits on the highway.
  • Safe Exit Warning (SEW): Can alert the driver or passengers of certain potential hazards approaching from behind when exiting the vehicle.

 

AVAILABLE Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

The Forte offers several available “Kia Drive Wise” Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for additional peace of mind:

  • Blind-Spot Avoidance Assist
  • Blind-Spot View Monitor
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist
  • Parking Distance Warning-Reverse
  • Parking Collision Avoidance Assist
  • Lane Keeping Assist System with Lane Following Assist
  • Highway Driving Assist

Technology Like No Other

And like all of Kia’s lineup, the Forte offers a wide array of standard and optional technology. This includes:

  • Standard 8-inch touchscreen display, or available 1.025" multimedia interface
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Wireless smartphone charging
  • Multi-Bluetooth connectivity
  • Harmon Kardon Premium Sound

UVO

UVO link telematics offers an array of advanced connected vehicle features, such as connected weather, user profiles, calendar integration, and smart speaker integration (hello, Alexa! Hello Google!). Plus can't-live-without features like:

Connected Routing

A new cloud-based route calculation system that uses UVO cloud to calculate the optimal route. In other words, using real-time maps, predicted upcoming traffic info based on historical information and AI to learn the preferred routes of users, it will get you to your destination.

Enhanced UVO voice assist feature

For example, this allows voice control of the vehicle’s climate, seat and steering-wheel heating, audio system, and other functions.

Looking for more information?

Check out all the official information on the KIA Forte right here at KIA.ca.

You can also access all our articles on the KIA Forte right here and here.

*Every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information listed above. Vehicle pricing, incentives, options (including standard equipment), and technical specifications are subject to change without notice. PLEASE CONFIRM WITH A SALES REPRESENTATIVE THE ACCURACY OF THIS INFORMATION. ERRORS AND OMISSIONS EXCEPTED (E&OE).
Kia VictoriaKia Forte and Forte5 Research Guide