Kia Forte

The compact sedan market might be shrinking, with Chevrolet and Ford recently abandoning the class to focus on compact SUVs, but that just makes it easier to consider the segment's standouts. The 2022 Kia Forte ranks high on that list with its sharp style, impressive fuel economy and a string of standard features at a lower price than rivals.

The Forte lineup ranges from the fuel-thrifty base model to the sporty 201-horsepower GT top trim and its optional six-speed manual transmission. New for 2022 are restyled front and rear ends, with a sleeker grille and headlights, and revised taillight designs for a more aggressive look. New safety features and driver aids have been added as standard equipment, including navigation-based adaptive cruise control and a lane-centering system. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now make smartphone connections easier and cable-free for front occupants.

The Forte once got by on its low price and generous feature list, but it's no longer just a value alternative. An array of standard and optional features, solid power and improving refinement make the Forte a legitimate consideration among the standard bearers in the class, including the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. The Forte is still a bit rough around the edges in terms of ride quality and handling, and its rear seat is a bit small for the class. But as an overall value play, the Forte holds its own against the best. Read our Expert Rating below to see if the Forte is right for you.

Which Forte does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Kia Forte is offered in four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line and GT. The lineup ranges from the fuel-sipping FE to the sporty GT, the latter equipped with a more powerful engine and an available six-speed manual transmission.

FE The base trim trim comes standard with:

• 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower, 132 lb-ft of torque)
• Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)
• 15-inch steel wheels
• Cruise control with steering wheel controls
• Multiple driving modes
• 8-inch touchscreen display
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
• Four-speaker audio system

Every Forte also comes with these advanced driver safety features:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the Forte back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

LXS The LXS trim adds a few more features, including:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• 60/40-split folding rear seats
• Upgraded interior trim

The optional LXS Technology package beefs up the driver aids and conveniences with:

• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Safe-exit system (can prevent driver or passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind)
• Heated side mirrors

GT-Line The GT-Line sits in the middle of the lineup. It adds the LXS options, along with:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED foglights
• LED running lights and taillights
• Heated exterior mirrors
• Dual-zone climate control
• Cloth sport seats with faux leather inserts
• Leather-wrapped, flat-bottom sport steering wheel
• 10.25-inch infotainment display
• Navigation system
• Six-speaker audio system
• Keyless entry and push-button start

Three option packages, the GT-Line Premium, GT-Line Sport and GT-Line Technology, offer some additional functionality.

The GT-Line Premium adds:

• Sunroof
• LED cabin lighting
• Eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Navigation-based adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Forte and the car in front, and can also react to traffic signs and set speed based on navigation data)
• Wireless charging pad
• Electronic parking brake

The GT-Line Sport package offers:

• 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat
• Full simulated-leather seats
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Rear-seat USB charging port

The GT-Line Technology package offers:

• Electronic parking brake with auto hold
• Navigation-based smart cruise control
• Pedestrian and cyclist collision avoidance

GT This is the sport-oriented Forte. It comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (201 hp, 195 lb-ft) and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an optional six-speed manual. Otherwise, it builds on the GT-Line's features with:

• 18-inch wheels
• Sport suspension and performance tires
• Sport-tuned exhaust with dual chrome tips
• LED headlights
• High beam assist (automatically turns on high beams when conditions allow)
• Black faux leather and cloth seats with red stitching
• Wireless charging pad
• Rear seat air-conditioning vent and USB charging port

The optional GT Technology and GT2 packages boost the feature list, with the former adding:

• Pedestrian and cyclist collision avoidance
• Navigation-based adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Forte and the car in front, and can also react to traffic signs and set speed based on navigation data)
• Electronic parking brake with auto hold

The GT2 package includes the GT Technology features, plus: 

• Sunroof
• Full simulated leather upholstery
• 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Harman Kardon audio system
• Wireless device charging
• Rear parking sensors

The manual transmission-equipped GT costs an extra $1,000 and adds nearly all of the standard and optional features listed above. But two safety features are unique to the six-speed GT:

• Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)