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2018 Kia Forte

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Make
Kia
Model
Forte
Year
2018
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Used Car Price Range
$6,998 - $12,995
$6,998 $12,995
Select a Trim
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2018 LX 4dr Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $16,800
2018 LX 4dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $18,300
2018 S 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $19,400
2018 EX 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $21,700
2018 EX 4dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $22,200
2018 SX 4dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $23,900
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.

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Overview

The Kia Forte may be an affordable compact vehicle, but in a segment filled with bare-bones machines, the 2018 Forte features a stylish design and high-end features. Despite being a compact, the Forte received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick Plus award, ranking in as one of the safest sedans on the market. While interior space is competitive in the sedan, the Forte5 hatchback variant is an even roomier alternative.

What's New for 2018

Not a lot has changed for the 2018 Forte. The compact vehicle gets some more amenities, including cruise control as standard and available Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Moving up to the Forte S now brings 16-inch wheels, while the available Technology Package also includes a sunroof. Lastly, the range-topping Forte EX gets rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring with lane change assist as standard.

Kia Forte

Choosing Your Kia Forte

The Forte is available as a sedan and a hatchback, which is aptly called the Forte5. The sedan offers consumers with 14.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, while the hatchback is a little more spacious with 23.2 cubic feet.

Both the sedan and hatchback have two powertrain options. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit that generates 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The top-of-the-line EX trim is powered by a direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder motor that produces 164 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual, while a six-speed automatic is also available.

The Forte5 gets the direct-injected 2.0-liter engine as standard, while a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is also offered. The 1.6-liter engine generates 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Forte5 shares the same transmission options as the sedan, but gets an available seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox for the turbocharged engine.

The most fuel-efficient Forte is rated by the EPA to get 29 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The Forte5 isn't too far behind with a rating of 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.

Both the Forte and Forte5 are available in three trims:

Kia Forte

LX

The LX sedan starts at $17,695 (all prices include the $895 destination fee). The LX trim comes with heated exterior mirrors, 15-inch steel wheels, and body-color door handles. On the inside, the LX sedan features a four-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, cruise control, steering-wheel-mounted controls, power windows and door locks, and remote keyless entry. The LX sedan doesn’t have any available packages.

Kia Forte

LX (Forte5)

The Forte5 LX starts at $19,195 and shares a lot of the same features as the sedan LX. The hatchback adds a rear spoiler, a rear wiper, a chrome exhaust tip over the sedan, and a six-speaker audio system. The LX Popular Plus Package ($2,000) adds: a 7.0-inch touchscreen display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, a smart key with push-button start, a rearview camera display, cruise control, welcoming lighting, mirror-mounted LED turn signal indicators, auto light control, fog lights, LED rear combination lights, chrome door handle inserts, 16-inch alloy wheels, a 3.5-inch LCD meter display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors, dual map lights, and an overhead sunglasses holder.

Kia Forte

S

The S trim, only available as a sedan, is priced from $20,295. The exterior features auto light control, LED positioning lights, a spoiler, a chrome exhaust tip, and 16-inch alloy wheels. On the inside, the sedan comes with a rearview camera display, a 7.0-inch touchscreen display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, dual 12-volt outlets, a 3.5-inch LCD meter display, an illuminated glove box, dual map lights, black sport cloth seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The S Technology Plus Package ($1,700) is the only available package and adds: lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a power sunroof, a smart key with push-button start, illuminated door handle pockets, front fog lights, LED rear combinations lights, mirror-mounted LED turn signal indicators, a 4.2-inch LCD display, power windows with one-touch auto-up/down, body-color door handles with chrome accent, a leather-wrapped gear shift knob, and dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors.

Kia Forte

EX

Starting at $22,595, the EX is the range-topping sedan trim. The EX sedan comes with chrome window molding, door handles with chrome accent, illuminated door handle pockets, mirror-mounted LED turn signal indicators, a Smart Trunk, front fog lights, LED rear combination lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Interior features for the EX trim include: blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, power windows with one-touch auto-up/down, a smart key with push-button start, dual-zone automatic temperature control, a front center console sliding armrest, leather seat trim, and heated front seats.

The EX Premium Plus Package ($3,900) is the only available package on the sedan and adds: automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, high-intensity discharge projector beam headlights, dynamic bending light, a power sunroof, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 4.2-inch color LCD display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, ventilated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an integrated memory system, and a leather-wrapped gear shift knob.

Kia Forte

EX (Forte5)

The Forte5 EX is the middle hatchback trim and has a price tag of $23,095. The Forte5 EX shares a lot of the same exterior features as the EX sedan, though the inside isn't as well equipped and is more in line with the sedan-only S trim. The EX Premium Technology Package ($3,600) is the only available package, adding a lot of the same features as the EX Premium Plus Package on the sedan.

Kia Forte

SX (Forte5)

The Forte5 SX, priced from $24,795, is the range-topping model that houses the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. Standard exterior features on the SX include sport front and rear bumpers, dual heated exterior mirrors, LED front fog lights, dual chrome exhaust tips, and 18-inch alloy wheels. On the inside, the trim comes with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, sport leather seat trim, a sport steering wheel, and alloy pedals. The SX Premium Technology Package ($3,600) brings the same features as the EX Premium Plus Package.

CarsDirect Tip

With its more attractive styling and larger cargo capacity, the 2018 Kia Forte5 is a better option for the majority of consumers that's worth the price difference. For both the sedan and hatchback, the EX trim is the one to go with, as it comes with most of the features anyone could ever want. The available packages are pricey, but are also worth looking into, as they add high-end features. Still, going with a fully-loaded Forte undercuts competitors that don't offer the same features.

Get your price on a Kia Forte »

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Automotive Editor
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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 Writer

With a new model on the horizon, the cleanly-styled 2018 Kia Forte soldiers on with an attractive interior, excellent fuel economy, and a number of standard or available active safety features. But it trails competitors with its mediocre performance, poor rear seat head room, and smallish, low seats.

Best Value

The LX manual Forte starts things off at $17,695, while the top SX manual hatchback checks in at $27,585 with options and finished in an extra-cost paint shade. Three engines are offered: LX and S sedans receive a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter, Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine tuned for fuel efficiency, LX hatchbacks and EX sedans and hatchbacks are equipped with a stronger 164-hp, 2.0-liter direct injection four-cylinder engine, while SX hatchbacks come standard with a 201-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant.

A rearview camera is standard on all but the base LX trim, where it's an option. Blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert are optional on the EX and SX. Those systems plus automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warning are optional on S and EX models.

Even the base LX sedan comes with the usual power features plus air conditioning, keyless entry, heated outside mirrors, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. We like the looks and versatility of the hatchback and, with an eye toward value, stick with the LX but kick things up with the Popular Plus Package. Here's how it would look:

  • Model: 2018 Kia Forte Hatchback LX
  • Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder
  • Output: 164 hp / 151 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Six-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • MPG: 25 City / 34 Hwy
  • Options: Popular Plus Package ($2,000, 7.0-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, keyless push-button start, a rearview camera, cruise control, LED mirror turn signals, automatic headlights, fog lights, LED taillights, 16-inch alloy wheels, a 3.5-inch LCD meter display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, dual map lights, overhead sunglasses holder).
  • Base Price:$19,195 (including the $895 destination charge)
  • Best Value Price:$21,195

Performance

Kia Forte

Offering decent performance for an economy sedan, the Forte's engine – willing to rev without undue noise or vibration – is mated to an automatic transmission tuned for softer shifts and maximizing fuel economy. Handling is predictable and steering weight is selectable, with Sport mode the best for accurate highway tracking.

But chassis tuning falls short of class leaders like the Mazda3 and Ford Focus with a choppy ride and slow steering that offers little connection to the road. Opting for the turbocharged four-cylinder does little to help things, as the Forte lacks the suspension tuning that'd make the most of its power.

Style

Both the sedan and hatchback present a clean look, while a mild update last year gave both a more shapely face. The well-proportioned bodies house an interior with plenty of space up front, class-above materials, sturdy, intuitive controls, and improved noise isolation. Points are earned for a plethora of storage cubbies, along with a better-than-average 14.9 cubic feet of trunk space in the sedan and 23.2 cubic feet of cargo room in the hatchback.

At the same time, the Forte's design isn't as striking as it once was, while the sporty roof line cuts into rear – and in some cases front – headroom. Occupants up front will find the seat cushions to be short and low with thin bolsters, while two tall adults in back (three is a stretch) may observe their knees above the equally thin seat cushions.

The Best and Worst Things

The Forte's clean design, attractive interior, and safety feature set continue to appeal, but uninspired chassis tuning, poor seats, and a cramped back seat keep it from scoring better.

Right For? Wrong For?

Kia Forte

An attractive design, class-above interior, and excellent fuel economy at an affordable price point should prove to be inviting to value-conscious buyers.

Humdrum performance coupled to an equally uninspired chassis will find enthusiasts bolting to competitor's showrooms.

The Bottom Line

Despite a clean design, enticing interior, and excellent fuel economy, the 2018 Kia Forte keeps from being a top contender in its class due to unremarkable performance, mediocre seats, and tight rear quarters.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 147 HP / 132 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 / 34 / 29 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 147 HP / 132 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
25 / 34 / 29 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Semi-independent Torsion Beam Beam
Spare Tire And Wheel
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
2,855 Lbs.
Wheel Base
106 "
Turning Radius
17.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Steel / 16.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Pearlcoat 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 / Premium 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 / Am/fm, Seek-scan
Speakers
4 / 6
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
1 / 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
Security System
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 2018 Kia Forte for Sale

8 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Kia
LX
Color: Blue
Price

$6,998

Mileage

90,608 mi

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Premium Autos (48 mi)

Phone: (951) 220-8952
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Royal Auto Dealer Los Angeles (32 mi)

Phone: (424) 444-6030
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Color: Aurora Black
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KarGenie (42 mi)

Phone: (909) 445-0960
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Color: Aurora Black Pearl
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$10,998

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Harbor Chevrolet (14 mi)

Phone: (562) 326-5588
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