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2016 Kia Forte

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Make
Kia
Model
Forte
Year
2016
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OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior Standard
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2016 LX 4dr Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $15,990
2016 LX 4dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $18,090
2016 EX 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $19,990
2016 EX 4dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $20,390
2016 SX 4dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $20,990

Overview

More than the typical maker of compact sedans, Kia relies on sleek European styling to draw attention to its Forte. Exhibiting a design influenced by sport sedans, which conceals its economy-car role, Forte slots between the subcompact Rio and the midsize Optima. As a contender in the competitive compact-sedan group, Forte has an impressive number of standard features, yet it’s priced near the bottom of that class.

What's New for 2016

Two new option groups help enhance the Forte’s value, according to Kia, but otherwise it’s largely a carryover. Keyless entry with remote trunk release is now standard. New optional Popular Plus and Premium Plus packages are available, for LX and EX, respectively.

Kia Forte

Choosing Your Kia Forte

The Forte LX sedan holds a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 145 horsepower, mating with either a six-speed manual gearbox or optional six-speed automatic transmission. EX trim upgrades to a 2-liter engine that makes 173 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. Only the automatic transmission is available in an EX.

Fuel economy with the 1.8-liter engine is estimated at 25 mpg city/37 mpg highway with manual shift, and 26/39 mpg with automatic. The 2-liter gets an estimate of 24/35 mpg.

Two trim levels are offered, each with a different engine:

Kia Forte

LX

Powered by the 1.8-liter engine, the entry-level Forte has a $15,990 MSRP with manual shift; the automatic transmission adds $1,710 to the price. Heated mirrors, cloth upholstery, Bluetooth phone and audio, remote keyless entry, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, a tilt/telescopic steering column, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, and 15-inch steel wheels are standard. The four-speaker sound system includes satellite radio and USB/aux jacks. An Active Eco system is included.

The Popular package includes cruise control, upgraded speakers, knit and tricot cloth seat trim, a rearview camera, and other interior features. A new optional Popular Plus group is similar, but also adds 16-inch alloy wheels. Individual options include cruise control, a sliding front armrest, lighted visor mirrors, and LED turn-signal indicators.

Kia Forte

EX

Only an automatic transmission comes with EX trim, driven by Kia’s 2-liter engine. Adding $2,290 to the price of an LX automatic, the EX basically contains the items in the Popular Plus package offered for the LX edition. Also included are foglights, LED positioning lights, a rearview camera, six-speaker audio, sliding armrest, leather-wrapped steering wheel, lighted visor mirrors, power-folding mirrors, a chilled glovebox, and 17-inch alloy wheels. EX seats are upholstered in knit and woven cloth. FlexSteer has Comfort, Normal, and Sport settings to vary the level of steering assist.

Pick the Premium package, and the Forte EX starts to turn into a compact luxury automobile, complete with leather seat trim, heated front seats, Uvo eServices, sunroof, pushbutton start, and puddle lamp. Navigation and an HD radio have been added for 2016.

A new Premium Plus package for the Forte EX adds a 4.2-inch TFT color LCD supervision meter cluster, 10-way power driver's seat with ventilation, heated steering wheel and outboard rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and LED taillights.

CarsDirect Tip

For the most part, an LX makes a good choice, excelling in the quantity of features for a reasonable price. However, only a limited number of options are offered for the LX. Unless you really need to spend as few dollars as possible, you’ll probably be more content with an EX. Kia also offers a two-door Forte Koup, and a five-door Forte5 hatchback.

Get your price on a Kia Forte »

Read our review on the Kia Forte »

Kia Forte
author image
Contributing Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

Impressive modern styling, a comfortable technology-filled cabin with plenty of room for rear passengers and cargo, decent fuel economy, and one of the best warranties in the business, make the 2016 Kia Forte sedan a compact well worth considering.

Pricing and Equipment

The 2016 Kia Forte is offered in two trim levels, each powered by a different engine and standard transmission.

  • The LX model employs a 1.8-liter inline-four that produces 145-horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. LX trims arrive with a standard six-speed manual transmission, an electronically controlled six-speed automatic is optional. A fuel saving active eco system, Bluetooth connectivity, and remote keyless entry are all included in the $15,990 starting price.
  • The EX model gains a more significant 2-liter inline-four engine that makes 173-horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. Gear changes are handled by the standard six-speed automatic. Chrome touches, power-folding mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels and fog lights dress up the exterior. Inside, the technology party is in full swing with options that include a 7-inch touchscreen navigation system, Kia's proprietary Uvo entertainment system, and a 4.2-inch color information screen located in the middle of the gauge cluster. EX pricing starts at $19,990.

The Forte is also offered in a 5-door hatchback (Forte5) and coupe (Forte Koup).

Performance Pros

Kia Forte

The 2016 Kia Forte offers a nice, compliant ride in a comfortable, relatively quiet cabin. While neither trim completely lives up to the Forte's sporty styling, acceleration is decent, especially in the larger engine EX model.

Kia's Flexsteer Driver-selectable steering assist is easily engaged by a small button on the steering wheel and allows the driver to set the basic parameters of the electronic steering box. I found the “comfort” setting helpful on long stretches of highway, while the sport setting takes some of the work away from more demanding driving situations.

The LX model with the six-speed automatic is the miles-per-gallon sweetheart, earning 26 mpg city, 39 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. Manual-equipped LX trims lose a little at 25 mpg city, 37, mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, and EX models trade a little muscle for efficiency, churning out 24 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined.

Performance Cons

Although the driving performance offered by the Forte is more than acceptable, the sedan comes up short when directly compared to many rivals in the segment.

Interior Pros

Kia Forte

The 2016 Kia Forte is a style leader, inside and out. Packed with standard features assembled in an attractive package, the Forte's interior is thoughtfully designed to fit the needs of today's commuters and provide some weekend fun when the work is done.

The sporty standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel is home to a bevy of audio, hands-free phone, and cruise control buttons. We like a nifty roll-top that covers the USB and power ports, providing a nice place to stash your portable tech from the eyes of would-be thieves.

Front and rear seat passengers can enjoy a warm derriere on cold mornings when equipped with the Forte's optional all-around seat warmers.

Interior Cons

Much of the most impressive interior equipment is optional even in the top trim EX package.

Most Pleasant Surprise

The gigantic trunk, especially for its class, is big enough to accommodate luggage for a family of four.

Least Pleasant Surprise

The electronic steering is a nice feature but we find it robs the driver of the feedback that make rivals like the Mazda3 more exciting to drive.

Bottom Line

Kia Forte

The 2016 Kia Forte sedan offers modern sporty styling, excellent fuel efficiency, a comfortable ride, and one of the best warranties in the business. If you love the looks and enjoy the modern interior's ample tech features, rest assured that the Forte has no major glaring or hidden flaws that should steer you away from adding it to your potential purchase list.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.8L I-4 / 145 HP / 130 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 6-spd man w/OD
Available: 6-spd Sportmatic w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
25 / 37 / 30 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.8L I-4 / 145 HP / 130 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
25 / 37 / 30 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Semi-independent Torsion Beam Beam
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
13.2 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$50
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
14.9 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
96 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
179.5 "
Exterior Width
70.1 "
Exterior Height
56.3 "
Front Headroom
39.1 "
Rear Headroom
37.3 "
Front Legroom
42.2 "
Rear Legroom
35.9 "
Front Shoulder Room
56.1 "
Rear Shoulder Room
54.9 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
2,804 Lbs. / 2,844 Lbs.
Wheel Base
106 "
Turning Radius
17.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Steel / 16.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
4
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Major Components Months
120 Months / 100,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / 100,000 Miles
Accessories Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles

Used 2016 Kia Forte for Sale

6 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Kia
LX
Color: Black
Price

$6,000

Mileage

90,602 mi

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Dream Drive Inc (20 mi)

Phone: (424) 282-5858
Kia
LX 4dr Sedan
Color: Black
Price

$8,000

Mileage

133,394 mi

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E3 Autos (32 mi)

Phone: (949) 500-6766
Kia
LX
Color: Silver
Price

$9,995

Mileage

94,388 mi

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iAuto of Santa Ana (33 mi)

Phone: (714) 486-3465
Kia
EX
Color: Red
Price

$10,990

Mileage

49,092 mi

Map location icon

Carin Auto (32 mi)

Phone: (949) 333-0333
See All Used Car Listings

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