2020 Kia Forte

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Rating6.6

Ranked #6 in 

Compact Sedan
Write Review
$17,890 - $23,090
Starting Price 
Amratya Nigam's image
Amratya Nigam 

Automotive Journalist,

Updated on June 6, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Plenty of standard features

Stiff suspension setup

New GT-Line trim

Impressive fuel economy

Noise intrusions into the cabin

S trim discontinued

Generous warranty coverage

Sluggish four-cylinder motor

Comfortable ride quality

Spacious interior

Specs & Features

$17,890

price

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

horsepower

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

torque

6-Speed Manual

transmission

2.0L 4cyl FWD 6M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2020 Kia Forte is available for sale at a starting price of $17,890. The S trim has been discontinued and in its place, the GT-Line trim has been added. The trim line now consists of FE, LXS, GT-Line, and EX. It comes with a 2.0L four-cylinder that makes 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. of torque. Available in just FWD configuration, the Forte has a stellar fuel economy and offers decent acceleration. 

The cabin of the Forte is attractive and features good quality materials. It is quite spacious and hosts an easy-to-use infotainment system. The Forte also offers ample safety features as standard and has also received top safety ratings. The Forte receives challenges from well-equipped rivals such as the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla, and the Hyundai Elantra

Buying Advice

The GT-Line trim is our choice as it adds more features for a lesser price tag and dresses up the interior to look sporty. This model adds a leather flat-bottom steering wheel, sport cloth seats with leatherette side bolstering and contrast stitching, LED DRLs, LED taillights, fog lights, power and heated side mirrors, a push-button start, and two additional speakers. Safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist. 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Redesigned just last year, the Kia Forte is one of the most compelling small sedans around- Edmunds

The Kia Forte remains unchanged from yesteryear and frankly, it was already ahead of time back then. Even today, many of its rivals still struggle to match the feature list of Kia. Peek under the hood, and you'll be acquainted with a four-cylinder motor that is smooth but lacks the excitement. As compensation though, it gets you stellar fuel economy along with an intuitive infotainment system. A slew of active safety features is also offered. 

However, when it comes to ownership, the Forte's value is higher than its rivals. The true cost to own it is roughly $5,700 per year for its maintenance, repair, fuel, depreciation, etc. Thanks to its stellar fuel economy, the average cost per mile is $0.38, which is really great. The Forte leads the class by earning top reliability ratings. It scored 84 out of 100 in the J.D Power reliability test and ranks on the top of the list.

Buying Advice

The GT-Line trim is our choice as it adds more features for a lesser price tag and dresses up the interior to look sporty. This model adds a leather flat-bottom steering wheel, sport cloth seats with leatherette side bolstering and contrast stitching, LED DRLs, LED taillights, fog lights, power and heated side mirrors, a push-button start, and two additional speakers. Safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist. 

Features
8.0/10

The 2020 Kia Forte is well-equipped as standard and near luxurious in top-tier forms, all for under $24,000- The Car Connection

This year, Kia has added a new trim to the lineup called GT-Line and renamed LS to LSX. The other trims include FE and EX. The Forte can be purchased as low as $17,890, without adding a destination fee tag of $995. For such a low price tag, Kia offers many standard technologies and safety features, keeping itself competitive in the segment.  Along with that, Kia also offers several optional packages and accessories for the Forte.

Among the trim levels, the LSX trim is one such trim that is oddly priced. It does not add any comfort or technological equipment but has a price tag of $19,290. The $1,500 GT-Line Premium package adds an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, power sunroof, satellite radio, voice recognition, UVO eServices, two USB ports, dual illuminating vanity mirrors, and wireless charger. Remote start is available in the LSX trim for $495. 

Trims

FE

LXS

GT-Line

EX

MSRP (FWD)

$17,890

$19,290

$20,490

$22,990

Key Features

8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Adds/ Upgrades to FE trim Adds/ Upgrades to LX trim Adds/ Upgrades to S trim
  4-speaker stereo

16-inch alloy wheels

LED DRLs & taillights

10-way power driver's seat q/ power lumbar support
 

Rearview camera

60/40 split-folding rear seat

Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel

Heated & ventilated front sport seats
  Bluetooth connectivity

Gloss Black Bumper

Power adjustable & heated exterior mirrors Dual-zone automatic climate control
  Lane keep assist Drive Mode Select (DMS) Push-button start Satellite radio
  Forward collision avoidance   6-speaker stereo UVO eServices
  Driver attention monitoring   Sport cloth seats with leatherette side bolstering Two additional USB ports
  15-inch alloy wheels   Fog lamps  
  Automatic climate control      

 

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

With the various engine and transmission options, the Forte is a mixed bag for fuel economy- Carbuzz

The Kia Forte’s engine employs the Atkinson cycle, which results in better fuel economy. A base Forte, fitted with the 6-speed manual transmission, delivers an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 MPG in the city, 37 MPG on a highway, and 31 MPG combined. The other trims employ a CVT transmission for better fuel economy. 

 The fuel ratings include 29 MPG in the city, 40 MPG on a highway, and 33 MPG combined. All the trims come equipped with a 14-gallon fuel tank. At its full capacity, the Forte can deliver 448 miles in mixed proportions with a manual transmission while models with CVT transmission raise the bar to 483 miles, which is great for a compact sedan. 

Models

2020 Kia Forte

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Honda Civic

2020 Hyundai Elantra

MPG (City)

27

30

28

31

MPG (Highway)

37

38

36

41

MPG (Combined)

31

33

29

35

Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallon)

14.0

13.2

12.4

14.0

Range (City/Highway/Combined; Miles) 378/518/448 396/502/449 310/446/378 434/574/504

The Hyundai Elantra has the best fuel estimates thanks to the CVT transmission that it comes standard with. The Toyota Corolla also boasts great efficiency and delivers 2 MPG combined more than the Forte. The Honda Civic doesn't stay put as it also has good efficiency but its small tank results in less driving range than other class rivals. 

Interior
5.0/10

You won't think you're in a luxury car, but the Forte's cabin is still nice- Autotrader

The Kia Forte will remind you of the Optima from inside, or, in other words, it's good-looking and well equipped. The minimalistic design, with a wide horizontal theme and beautifully contoured dash, can be compared with an entry-level Audi. Soft-touch materials adorn the front door panels and armrests while leather-textured black plastic decorates the dashboard. The front seats, which provide ample comfort throughout the day, are well suited for taller drivers.

The driver's seat is 10-way power-adjustable on the EX trim and up . This trim also adds heated and ventilated front seats. Likewise, the rear seats are pretty comfortable too. The rear row is decent in terms of legroom and headroom. The middle armrest is around an inch higher and longer than the previous variant, which improves it much for, well, lavishly resting your arm. The Forte’s outward visibility is excellent due to the well-designed A & C pillars.

The 8-inch touchscreen sits high on the dash, within easy view of the driver. Even on the base trim, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are offered, which is really great. The interface is intuitive and processes command quickly. There are clearly labeled physical buttons and knobs to adjust audio and cabin climate settings. The standard sound system includes a four-speaker stereo on lower trims. Some trims add two more speakers but an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is available. 

Models

2020 Kia Forte

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Honda Civic

2020 Hyundai Elantra

Passenger Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.8/56.1/42.2

38.3/54.0/42.0

39.3/57.0/42.3

40.3/56.2/42.2

Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

37.5/55.3/35.7

37.1/51.7/34.8

37.1/55.0/37.4

37.3/55.3/35.7

Cargo Space (cu-ft.)

15.3

13.1

15.1

14.4

The Forte has one of the largest trunks in its class. Once you pop up the trunk, you will see 15.3 cubes of cargo space. The rear seats can be folded down to make more space for storing your articles but not in the base variant. Also optional is a hands-free power trunk, which pops open when you stand behind the car with the smart key on your person. The trunk has a wide opening and the flat loading lip ensures easy loading of items. Some main cabin features of the Forte are:

  • Tilt & telescopic multi-function leather steering wheel 
  • 10-way power driver's seat
  • Heated & ventilated front seats
  • Cloth seats with contrast stitching
  • Hands-free trunk
  • Push-button start
  • 12V power outlet
  • Dual illuminating vanity mirrors
  • 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple Carplay and Android Auto
  • 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
  • Wireless charging
  • Satellite radio

Exterior
7.0/10

There’s a hint of Stinger about the Forte, which is a good thing- Kelly Blue Book

The Kia Forte has one of the most favorite designs in the compact sedan segment. It is a very mature and handsome-looking vehicle. It received a complete refresh last year and continues with the same changes. the Kia Forte gets a more appealing exterior, with edgier lines and the prominent tiger grille upfront. Taller and wider than the previous generation, the Forte has a more imposing presence than ever before. Although it's far from the Stinger's twin, the Forte adopts some of the most prominent features from the sporty hatch, such as the long hood, fastback profile, and sweptback headlights.

Speaking of headlights, they have a butterfly-like design that is halogen throughout the range. You get LED DRLs and fog lamps from the GT-Line trim onwards. The wheel arches house 15, 16, and 17-inch alloy wheels depending on the trim level. The Forte flaunts slightly high ground clearance for a sedan, which is good enough to escape those high bumps on the road. Its wheelbase is on par with its rivals, which indicates a spacious interior. At the back, the taillights feature a full-length LED strip, which keeps the design relevant for 2020. Overall, the Forte has a pleasant face and looks modernish. 

Models

2020 Kia Forte

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Honda Civic

2020 Hyundai Elantra

Curb Weight (lbs)

 2,707

2,910

2,762

2,844

Length (in)

182.7

182.3

182.7

181.9

Width (in)

70.9

70.1

70.9

70.9

Height (in)

56.5

56.5

55.7

56.5

Ground Clearance (in)

5.6

5.1

5.6

5.3

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

106.3

106.3

106.3

The Toyota Corolla sits 0.5 inches lower than the Forte. This helps to get in and out of the vehicle easily. The Hyundai Elantra weighs slightly more than the Forte and hence, its on-road performance isn't that great. The Honda Civi along with the other rivals on the table share the same wheelbase with the Forte. However, the Civic's rear row boasts more legroom than the others. Some main exterior features of the Forte are:

  • Halogen headlamps
  • LED DRLs
  • LED taillights
  • Fog lamps
  • Puddle lamps
  • Black grille with chrome surround
  • Chrome window trim
  • 15, 16 & 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Chrome exhaust tips

Safety
6.0/10

Kia offers a handful of standard and optional driver-assistance features- CarAndDriver

The Kia Forte was well-received by both the safety agencies. NHTSA gave four out of five stars for its performance in all the crash tests. Meanwhile, IIHS awarded the vehicle with the second-highest Top Safety Pick designation for its extraordinary results. Therefore, there's no running away from the fact that the Forte is a safe vehicle. 

In view of safety features, Kia adds a few of them under the standard list. To get access to all the safety features, you need to either buy the top trim level or upgrade to an optional package. Moreover, a total of eight airbags are installed in the cabin of the Forte. All these features can avoid getting into an accident. Some of the safety features are:

  • Rearview camera
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane keep assist
  • Forward collision warning
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Driver attention & drowsiness monitor
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Auto high-beams
  • Reverse parking sensors
  • Pedestrian detection

Competition
6.0/10

2020 Kia Forte vs 2020 Honda Civic

The Forte is a better value product because of the lower price tag but the Honda Civic offers a spacious cabin. The Civic also has athletic handling along with a comfortable ride. Choosing between these two may just come down to whether you want more amenities at a cheaper price with the Forte or better overall performance with the Civic. The Forte has an upper hand thanks to heaps of standard infotainment amenities.

2020 Kia Forte vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra has one of the lower base prices in the segment, but it lacks enough standard safety features. The Elantra offers three engine options while the Forte sticks to two. The Elantra's trunk volume is less, which makes the Forte a better option. The Elantra offers a better fuel economy even in the base trim as it uses a CVT transmission. The Elantra is a good car but it does not stack up well against the Forte.

2020 Kia Forte vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is an excellent daily driver but is a bit dreary to drive. You will get less of everything, such as cargo space, rear-seat room, and infotainment features except fuel economy. The Forte is still a better alternative in this aspect. Where the Corolla beats the Forte is in terms of safety and reliability. The Corolla packs more standard safety features but in terms of overall performance, the Kia Forte is a sure winner.

Final Verdict

The 2020 Kia Forte may not be athletic but it does a lot of things well. It falls on the shopping list of nearly every compact car buyer as it is spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped at an economical price tag. With upmarket material and a long list of standard features, this Kia proves to be a compelling choice. The ride quality may not be aspiring like the Mazda 3 or Honda Civic but its turbocharged engine is a blaring deal. By all means, the Forte is a much better alternative to many subcompacts like the Corolla.

Trims

    FE
    $17,890 onwards
    • 15-inch steel Wheels
    • 8-Inch touchscreen
    • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • Automatic headlights
    • Height-Adjustable front seats
    • Rearview camera
    LXS
    $19,290 onwards
    • 60/40-Split folding rear seat
    • Selectable drive modes
    • Soft-touch dash and door surfaces
    GT-Line
    $20,490 onwards
    • Heated mirrors
    • Keyless entry and ignition
    • Leather-Wrapped steering wheel
    • Rear cross-traffic alert
    • Rear spoiler
    • Six-Speaker audio system
    EX
    $22,090 onwards
    • 17-Inch wheels
    • Dual-Zone automatic climate control
    • Heated and ventilated front seats
    • Power-Adjustable driver's seat
    • Rear air vents
    • Simulated leather upholstery
    GT
    $22,490 onwards
    • Engine: 1.6L 4cyl FWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 201 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 195 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.9 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 28 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$17,890- $23,090

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.64

Horsepower

201 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

195 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$19,750- $28,850

Gasoline

8.53

158 hp @ 6500 rpm

138 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

5

Read Review

$15,295- $19,400

Gasoline

6.5

120 hp @ 6300 rpm

113 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,300- $24,150

Gasoline

6.54

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,310- $21,650

Gasoline

6.68

149 hp @ 6400 rpm

146 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,695- $26,295

Gasoline

7.56

152 hp @ 6000 rpm

145 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,600- $25,550

Gasoline

7.65

139 hp @ 6100 rpm

126 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,895- $30,745

Gasoline

6.71

147 hp @ 5000 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm

5

Read Review

$25,900- $31,650

Gasoline

5.56

201 hp @ 6800 rpm

180 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,500- $28,900

Gasoline

7.9

186 hp @ 6000 rpm

186 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

2020 Kia Forte vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.7 sec15.8 sec123 mph
    7.2 sec15.5 sec126 mph
    2020 Mazda 3

    Ranked #2

    7.5 sec15.8 sec130 mph
    7.7 sec16 sec-
    8.7 sec16.6 sec123 mph
    9 sec17 sec-

    2020 Kia Forte vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      31 mpg37 mpg31 mpg14 gal.378/518 mi.
      31 mpg40 mpg34 mpg14 gal.434/574 mi.
      30 mpg40 mpg34 mpg13.2 gal.396/528 mi.
      30 mpg38 mpg33 mpg13.2 gal.396/501.6 mi.
      29 mpg39 mpg33 mpg12.4 gal.359.6/483.6 mi.
      33 mpg39 mpg33 mpg11.9 gal.345.1/464.1 mi.

      2020 Kia Forte vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        182.7 in.70.9 in.56.5 in.5.3 in.106.3 in.
        185.1 in.70.8 in.57.4 in.5.6 in.105.7 in.
        2020 Mazda 3

        Ranked #2

        183.5 in.70.7 in.56.9 in.5.5 in.107.3 in.
        182.7 in.71.5 in.56.9 in.4.8 in.106.8 in.
        182.7 in.70.9 in.55.7 in.6.7 in.106.3 in.
        182.7 in.70 in.57.3 in.5.1 in.105.1 in.

        2020 Kia Forte vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          15.3 cu.ft.96 cu.ft.80.1 cu.ft.
          13.7 cu.ft.90.2 cu.ft.75.1 cu.ft.
          15.1 cu.ft.97.8 cu.ft.61.2 cu.ft.
          2020 Mazda 3

          Ranked #4

          13.2 cu.ft.92.8 cu.ft.47.1 cu.ft.
          12.4 cu.ft.89.3 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
          14.4 cu.ft.95.8 cu.ft.12.9 cu.ft.

          2020 Kia Forte vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            80.1 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.80.1 cu.ft.
            -12.3 cu.ft.-
            -14.1 cu.ft.-
            61.2 cu.ft.15.1 cu.ft.61.2 cu.ft.
            75.1 cu.ft.13.7 cu.ft.75.1 cu.ft.
            13.5 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.

            2020 Kia Forte vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              889 lbs.2707 lbs.
              2020 Mazda 3

              Ranked #1

              1008 lbs.3071 lbs.
              1080 lbs.2844 lbs.
              937 lbs.2502 lbs.
              -3095 lbs.
              825 lbs.2910 lbs.

              2020 Kia Forte Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              0

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              58

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              2020 Kia Forte User Reviews

              1.0

              [3 Reviews]

              1

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              2

              [33.0%] [1 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              4

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              5

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              POPULAR TAGS

              Sw

              Samantha walker

              2020 Kia Forte

              FE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 15, 2024

              Great car for short people

              Pros - ["Sport mode", "Great millage"]

              Cons - ["It's small so my bf don't fit in it well", "I love it other then that"]

              Overall this car changed my perspective on kias, I now live not only my car but the brand. My car is pretty and sounds like it has attitude just like me so I'm deeply involved. She matches my style and personality, but if your a tall person it will seem cramped for me I'm short so it's cozy.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              PB

              Patrick Bagdasarian

              2021 Kia Forte

              EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

              3

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 23, 2024

              The Best Value Sport Compact

              Pros - [""Punchy Turbo Motor"", ""Fast Dual Clutch Transmission""]

              Cons - [""No limited slip differential"", ""lazy throttle behavior""]

              In the world of Sport compacts, the options are very few, if looking at the 30,000 dollar or so price range, you basically have the Civic Si and the GLI/GTI. However there is one underdog that's rarely talked about, which is the KIA Forte GT. This car has a 1.6 liter turbocharged four cylinder with 201 HP and 195 lb/ft of torque, along with sport tuned independent suspension and a 7 speed dual cl...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              PB

              Patrick Bagdasarian

              2021 Kia Forte

              FE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 15, 2024

              The Best Value Sport Compact

              Pros - [""Punchy Turbo Motor"", ""Fast Dual Clutch Transmission""]

              Cons - [""No limited slip differential"", ""lazy throttle behavior""]

              In the world of Sport compacts, the options are very few, if looking at the 30,000 dollar or so price range, you basically have the Civic Si and the GLI/GTI. However there is one underdog that's rarely talked about, which is the KIA Forte GT. This car has a 1.6 liter turbocharged four cylinder with 201 HP and 195 lb/ft of torque, along with sport tuned independent suspension and a 7 speed dual cl...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review