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The 2024 Kia Forte returns with great upgrades, modern styling, and a great warranty. We look at trim levels, interior options, and more in our review.
2024 Kia Forte – kia.com | Shop 2024 Kia Forte on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2024 Kia Forte?
Part of the 3rd generation that debuted in 2019, the 2024 Kia Forte slots between the tiny Rio and midsize K5 in Kia’s healthy – by modern standards – sedan lineup. After a comprehensive refresh for the 2022 model year followed by few changes for the 2023 Forte, this latest Forte arrives with a handful of content updates headlined by the re-packaged advanced driver-assistance systems.
Front collision alert fusion is now standard on the GT-Line trim. This mouthful of technology bundles forward collision alert with cyclist detection, an electronic parking brake, highway driving assist, and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. Other updates include the 12-volt outlet being replaced by a USB port on LX and LXS models and the discontinuation of the GT-Line Technology package.
Carsforsale.com Score
7.75/10
Powertrain
Score
7.75/10
Interior
Score
8.5/10
Technology
Score
7/10
Value
Score
7.75/10
The Breakdown
Sporty styling
Offers a manual transmission
Thrifty on fuel consumption
No hybrid option
Wireless mirroring only on small screens
Safety concerns
All the value
2024 Forte Specs
- 147 horsepower from base engine
- 132 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 4 available trims
- 15.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Semi-autonomous driving technology
- Harman Kardon 8-speaker audio system
- 10 years of powertrain coverage
2024 Kia Forte Powertrain 7.75/10
Most of the 2024 Kia Forte lineup is motivated by a naturally aspirated 2.0L inline-4 making 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with a CVT to spin the front wheels only, there is no option for AWD. With the base LX model, this setup is good for 34 mpg combined. In LXS and GT-Line spec, that figure drops to 32 mpg. If it’s hybrid-powered efficiency you seek, look to the Forte’s platform-mate, the Hyundai Elantra.
An available turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder engine is exclusive to the Forte GT. With 201 horsepower and 195 torques, it’s right on par with the 2024 Honda Civic Si from a power perspective, but for some $5,000 less. These Fortes come standard with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that manages 30 mpg combined. For an extra $700, you can select a 6-speed manual that earns 26 mpg combined and a “Save The Manuals” nerd badge of honor.
2024 Kia Forte Interior 8.5/10
The Kia Forte earns a spot on our list of best compact cars for a variety of reasons that includes its relatively large trunk. Though it can’t compete with the hatchback models, at 15.3 cubic feet, the Forte bests the Mazda 3 sedan by a significant 2 cubic feet.
Upholstery options range from cloth to SynTex leatherette on this 5-passenger compact. You’ll need at least an LXS model to enjoy the 60/40 folding rear seat, but all models boast nearly 36 inches of rear legroom with high-end features like climatized front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control available as you move through the trim hierarchy.
2024 Kia Forte Technology Features 7/10
Every 2024 Forte comes with forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, and automatic high beams as part of a comprehensive ADAS bundle. But there is cause for concern on the safety front as the NHTSA found particular issue with the rear passenger-side crash-test results, and the IIHS gave the 2023 model a Poor rating in two of its crash tests – the lowest possible rating.
As for technology, Kia includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the Forte LX and LXS, which have an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, but the GT models – with a larger 10.25 screen – require a wired connection. Other available niceties include an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, the Kia Connect app-based vehicle control, and a wireless phone charging pad.
2024 Kia Forte Trims & Pricing
LX – $20,915
As the base 2024 Kia Forte, LX trim is only offered with a black, white, or gray paint job, 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps, and black cloth upholstery. There is a single front USB port and a 4-speaker stereo system joined by an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and wireless smartphone mirroring.
LXS – $21,415
For an additional $500, the LXS offers full paint palette access, 16-inch alloy wheels, soft-touch door panel inserts, and a split-folding rear bench. The $500 LXS Technology package adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA) – both with crash avoidance ability – and heated side mirrors to the mix.
GT-Line – $23,415
With the GT-Line, the list of features becomes far longer including 17-inch rims, a hands-free trunk, remote engine start, and passive entry. The cabin features cloth and leatherette upholstery, dual zone automatic climate control, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, and Kia Connect.
These models also come with blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. For $1,000, the Sport Premium package adds climatized front seats and a power-adjustable driver seat, while the $1,400 Premium package features a sunroof, a wireless phone charging pad, and a Harman Kardon audio system with 8 speakers.
GT – $25,615
Along with a more potent motor, Forte GT models have a multi-link rear suspension – versus the torsion beam setup on the rest of the lineup – larger brakes, 18-inch wheels, a sport-tuned exhaust, and LED headlights. The cabin sports red contrast stitching, ambient lighting, paddle shifters, and rear seat ventilation ducts.
A $1,900 GT2 package piles on with full SynTex leatherette upholstery, LED cabin lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, a sunroof, an 8-speaker stereo by Harman Kardon, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
2024 Kia Forte Overall Value 7.75/10
For the money, we’d have to recommend the 2024 Kia Forte in top-spec GT format. It matches the Honda Civic Si on power for thousands of dollars less. It is also the only Forte available with a manual transmission and offers access to all the best technology, creature comforts, and ADAS.
But you can’t really go wrong with any of the Forte models as they all come with Kia’s famous warranty, which helped the Forte land a spot on our list of best cheap new cars. There is no complimentary maintenance, but there are 5 years of 60,000 miles of basic coverage and 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 7.75/10
2024 Kia Forte – kia.com | Shop 2024 Kia Forte on Carsforsale.com
There are few things worth whining about with the 2024 Kia Forte when you consider how much it costs. However, the safety concerns are, well, concerning. Interestingly, Hyundai’s platform-mate Elantra does not share these issues, so may be worth a look.
That car also offers a hybrid powertrain but follows Kia’s head-scratching practice of pairing wireless smartphone integration with the smaller infotainment interface. Other than that, with modern styling, loads of technology, and impressive fuel efficiency, the 2024 Forte is perhaps the most value-packed compact sedan for sale today.
2024 Kia Forte FAQ
Is the Kia Forte front-wheel drive?
Yes, the Kia Forte is only available with front-wheel drive.
Does the Kia Forte have remote start?
Remote start is included on the 2024 Kia Forte GT-Line trim.
What kind of gas does a 2024 Kia Forte use?
Every 2024 Kia Forte, including the turbocharged GT model, runs on regular 87-octane gas.
