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2022 Kia Forte

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Make
Kia
Model
Forte
Year
2022
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Used Car Price Range
$15,914 - $19,990
$15,914 $19,990
Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2022 FE 4dr Sedan w/ CVT
most popular
Price:   -  From $19,090
2022 LXS 4dr Sedan w/ CVT Price:   -  From $19,590
2022 GT-Line 4dr Sedan w/ CVT Price:   -  From $21,290
2022 GT 4dr Sedan w/ CVT Price:   -  From $23,490
2022 GT 4dr Sedan w/ Manual Price:   -  From $24,490
Expert Rating
3.2 (Good)

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

What's New

The 2022 Kia Forte receives a midlife refresh, signaled by heavily revamped front and rear fascias. Newly available features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation-assisted adaptive cruise control, and safe exit warning. Lane-keeping assist is now standard on all trims. The plush EX model exits the lineup. This is the first major update for the Forte since the current model debuted in 2019.

Choosing Your Kia Forte

Kia offers in the Forte in four trims levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. Pricing starts at $20,085 including destination and tops out at $25,485 for the GT.

Engine Choices

Most Forte models run with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder is exclusive to the GT.

Engine TypeHorsepowerTorqueFuel Economy (Combined)
2.0L 4-Cylinder147 hp132 lb-ft33 mpg
1.6L Turbo 4-Cylinder201 hp195 lb-ft30 mpg

The 2.0-liter engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The GT comes standard with a seven-speed automatic, and a six-speed manual is available. The manual-equipped GT starts $1,000 higher because it carries more standard equipment. All Forte models feature front-wheel drive.

Note the FE trim, which is geared for efficiency, carries an elevated EPA rating of 35 mpg combined.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

The Forte provides ample room for five, despite its compact dimension. At 15.3 cubic feet, the trunk holds more than many midsize sedans.

Kia Forte

Safety Features

Every Forte comes equipped with lane-keeping assist, driver alertness monitoring, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

The LXS can get a Technology Package ($500) with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, and LED turn signal indicators in the side mirrors. These items are standard starting with the GT-Line

The GT-Line Technology Package ($300) adds cyclist detection, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, and an electronic parking brake with auto hold. These features are also available in the GT-Line Premium Package ($1,700), along with lane-centering for the adaptive cruise control system and other features.

The GT Technology Package has the same equipment and price as the GT Line's. The GT2 Package ($2,200) adds the lane-centering assist and rear parking sensors, plus other upgrades. On GT models equipped with the manual transmission, adaptive cruise control isn't available, but the other driver assistance items are standard.

Connectivity

The FE and LXS carry an eight-inch touchscreen, four speakers, a USB port, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The GT-Line gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, six speakers, satellite and HD radio, and a second USB port. The GT-Line Premium Package includes wireless device charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

The GT comes standard with wireless charging and a rear USB port, and the GT2 Package provides the Harman Kardon system. All of these items are standard on the manual-equipped GT.

Kia Forte

Forte FE — MSRP From $20,085

The economy-minded FE provides basic equipment like cruise control, keyless entry, automatic headlights, power windows and locks, and 15-inch steel wheels with covers. There are no factory options packages for the FE.

Forte LXS — From $20,585

For $500 more, the LXS delivers a split-folding rear seat, soft trim on the upper door panels, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Forte GT-Line — MSRP From $22,285

The GT-Line picks up push-button start, automatic dual-zone climate control, heated side mirrors, and full LED exterior lighting. The interior features a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel and shift knob, cloth and leatherette upholstery, and alloy pedals. Outside are 17-inch black-accented wheels, a rear spoiler, and gloss black trim.

In addition to its other upgrades, the GT-Line Premium Package adds a sunroof and LED interior lighting. Buyers can also select a GT-Line Sport Premium Package ($1,000) with a 10-way power driver seat, heated and ventilated front sport seats, and full leatherette upholstery with special stitching.

Forte GT — MSRP From $24,485

The GT combines the GT-Line's sporty appearance with the turbocharged engine, and then adds paddle shifters, sport-tuned dual exhaust with chrome tips, and 18-inch two-tone wheels. The GT2 Package offers the combined contents of GT-Line's Premium and Sport Premium packages.

The manual-equipped GT features summer performance tires and all the aforementioned equipment except adaptive cruise control.

Compare Forte Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

The 2022 Kia Forte GT-Line offers popular features and a dash of style at a still-modest price. That makes it just right for most buyers. Those looking for real performance, however, should head directly to the GT.

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Pros
  • Strong value
  • Stylish design
  • Good fuel economy
Cons
  • Sluggish base engine
  • Rough dual-clutch transmission
  • Competitors offer more space
  • Hatchback body style missing
Expert Rating
3.2 (Good)

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
Automotive Editor

Great value. With a starting price tag of $20,085 (with destination), the 2022 Kia Forte offers a lot of bang for your buck. Affordable compact cars like the Forte are getting harder and harder to find as consumers move to SUVs. For consumers willing to purchase a sedan, the Forte brings a lot for the money.

The base Forte FE comes with features like an eight-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth, six-way manually adjustable front seats, and four audio speakers. Several advanced safety features are standard, as well, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and lane departure warning.

The higher up the Forte lineup you go, the value of the trim tapers off, but higher trims feel nothing like compact sedans from years ago. The GT Manual trim comes equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a Harman Kardon audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, LED interior lighting, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a wireless charging pad, and automatic high-beam assist.

Sharper design. For 2022, the Forte gets a large update with new exterior styling. The compact vehicle adopts an updated version of Kia’s “Tiger Nose” grille, as well as revised front and rear bumpers, new exterior lighting elements, and a new optional spoiler. Additionally, Kia has introduced new wheel designs for the Forte. The result is a much sharper Forte that looks similar to the sporty Stinger. The GT-Line and GT trims get a few more unique touches on the outside. These sporty trims feature new LED fog lights and LED taillights.

Kia has also updated the Forte’s interior design with a new center console that sees the compact sedan receive an electronic parking brake instead of the old manual one. The other big news is the newly optional 10.25-inch touchscreen that brings the Forte in line with the majority of Kia’s other vehicles.

Kia Forte

Mixed performance. Kia continues to offer the Forte with two engines. The base engine is just enough for commuting and getting around town, but it is efficient. The FE, LXS, and GT-Line come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that’s rated at 147 horsepower. Unlike last year, the engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), as the manual transmission has been discontinued. In addition to being underpowered, the base engine drones and groans. The good news is that the base engine is efficient, carrying a combined fuel economy rating of up to 35 mpg.

The GT and GT Manual trims come with a far better engine in the form of a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower. This engine helps the trims feel quick in a straight line and puts the vehicle in the same league as the Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen Golf GTI. Power isn’t the issue with the 1.6-liter engine, it’s the transmission.

The standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission in the GT trims is a joy to use when traveling quickly down the road. It snaps off quick shifts with little drama. Drive the vehicle at low speeds and you’ll experience another side to the gearbox. At low speeds, the transmission hesitates, buckles, and chooses an odd gear. One way around this is to choose the available six-speed manual transmission, but it’s a $1,000 upgrade over the dual-clutch model. We think is a worthy upgrade for consumers that want to be able to enjoy driving the Forte.

Competitively spacious. Since Kia introduced the redesigned Forte in 2019, Hyundai has come out with a new Elantra, Honda has introduced a new Civic, and Volkswagen came out with a new GTI. The redesigned Volkswagen Jetta came out in the same year as the Forte. All of these vehicles have grown radically in size over their previous generations, making them more spacious than the Forte.

With 35.7 inches of rear legroom, most people won’t complain about interior space in the Forte. That is until they sit in one of the Forte’s competitors. The Elantra has 38 inches of rear legroom, the Civic offers 37.4 inches, and the Jetta has 37.4 inches. With that kind of a disparity, the Forte’s rear seats feel cramped.

There is some good news and it’s that the Forte’s trunk offers an impressive 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space. So, if cargo capacity is a priority, the Forte offers plenty at the expense of rear legroom.

Final thoughts. In a class with larger, more upscale, more high-tech, and more enjoyable compact vehicles to drive, the 2022 Kia Forte struggles to stand out. It does so primarily because of its value and design. For some, that will be enough.

The fully-redesigned Honda Civic raises the bar for the compact class with a stylish design, a spacious cabin, a peppy engine, impressive tech features, and enjoyable handling. The Mazda3 is one of the few compact vehicles to be offered in both sedan and hatchback body styles. It’s one of the most high-end compacts in the class with a luxurious cabin, a powerful turbocharged engine, and a stunning design.

Check prices for the 2022 Kia Forte

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 147 HP / 132 ft.lbs.
Transmission
2-spd Sportmatic CVT w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
31 / 41 / 36 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
31 / 41 / 36 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Semi-independent Torsion Beam Beam
Spare Tire And Wheel
Fuel Tank
14.0 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$53
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
15.3 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
96 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
182.7 "
Exterior Width
70.9 "
Exterior Height
56.5 "
Front Headroom
38.8 "
Rear Headroom
37.5 "
Front Legroom
42.2 "
Rear Legroom
35.7 "
Front Shoulder Room
56.1 "
Rear Shoulder Room
55.3 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
2,908 Lbs.
Wheel Base
106 "
Turning Radius
17.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Steel
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler
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
6-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm/hd, 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
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
Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (fca) Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Warning (ldw) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Lane Following Assist (lfa) Hands-on Steering Assist
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Driver Attention Warning (daw) Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
High Beam Assist (hba) Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
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 2022 Kia Forte for Sale

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