| Pros | Cons | What's New |
|---|---|---|
Lots of features | Poor performance than rivals | No new changes |
Great infotainment system | Bad Ride quality | |
Airy and generous cabin space | ||
Good build quality |
$17,890
price147 hp @ 6200 rpm
horsepower132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm
torque6-Speed Manual
transmission2.0L 4cyl FWD 6M
engine-
basic warrantyThe Kia Forte is known as K3 in its own native land. This is a pretty good car and has often been equipped with the best features from the brand. Kia as a brand is very well known for the high reliability and safely manufactured models. Kia Forte brings in simple controls and offers impressive fuel economy.Although, the riding and handling quality of the model is a bit of a let down. It’s suspension becomes stiff at some point in time passengers can feel every bump.
The FE trim (Base) is a very well to do and a well equipped model making it a good choice for anyone,it is also the only moel that comes with a manual transmission and it can be bought if you want the fun of driving a manual transmission car.However if you prefer convenience and love to be pampered with tech the EX trim or the GT line will be better suited and considering the low prices you can go to any model across the line up and still not have stretch a lot.
The 2021 Kia Forte Sedan is offered in four different trim levels and their prices start from $17,890 and go all the way up to $23,090.Yes,that is the price of the top end model,thus making this an affordable car.This is a price point that is highly competitive and so the car has a number of rivals like the 2021 Toyota Corolla,2021 Mazda 3 and the 2021 Honda Civic.
The 2021 Kia Forte starts off at a price point of $17,890 for the manual gearbox and $18,790 for the CVT gearbox.The base model called the FE.This is the only model offered with a manual transmission.The Next in line at a price point of $19,390 is the LXS the trim from here becomes only CVT models as this is the only gearbox on offer,in fact the LXS,the GT-Line and the EX trims all come with only the CVT transmission on offer.The Top end EX model itself is priced at $23,090 and that includes a lot of features even on the lower trim.
|
Model |
FE |
LXS |
GT-Line |
EX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP (Manual) |
$17,890 |
- |
- |
- |
|
MSRP (CVT) |
$18,790 |
$19390 |
$20,490 |
$23,090 |
|
Key Features |
15-inch Steel Wheels w/Full Covers |
Adds to FE features |
Adds to LXS Features |
Adds to GT-Line features |
|
|
3-Point Seat Belts for All Seating Positions |
16-inch Machine Finish Alloy Wheels |
17-inch Machine Finish Alloy Wheels |
17-inch Graphite Finish Alloy Wheels |
|
|
4-speaker Audio System |
Black Gloss Sport Bumper Accents |
6-Speaker Audio System |
10-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat w/ Power Lumbar Support |
|
|
6-way Adjustable Driver’s and Front Passenger’s Seat |
Chrome Exhaust Tip |
LED Daytime Running Lights |
Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control |
|
|
ABS w/4-wheel |
Drive Mode Select (DMS) |
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning |
Smart Key w/ Push-Button Start and Immobilizer |
|
|
Daytime Running Lights |
|
Lane Change Assist |
Rear A/C Vents |
|
|
Electronic Brake-Force Distribution |
|
Sport Seats w/ SOFINO and Cloth Seat Trim |
Heated Front Seats and Ventilated Front Seats |
Which Trim should you buy?
The FE trim (Base) is a very well to do and a well equipped model making it a good choice for anyone,it is also the only moel that comes with a manual transmission and it can be bought if you want the fun of driving a manual transmission car.However if you prefer convenience and love to be pampered with tech the EX trim or the GT line will be better suited and considering the low prices you can go to any model across the line up and still not have stretch a lot.
The Kia is well balanced with the engine being able to give good performance and a good mileage of 31mpg in the city and 41mpg on the highway which results in a combined mileage of 35mpg.The car also has a deep tank of 14 gallons which gives it a really good range.It returns the highest range figures. It can cover 490 miles on the highway on a full tank of gas.
|
Models |
2021 Kia Forte |
2021 Toyota Corolla |
2021 Mazda 3 |
2021 Honda Civic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) |
27 |
31 |
26 |
30 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
35 |
38 |
35 |
38 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
30 |
34 |
30 |
33 |
|
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons) |
14 |
13.2 |
13.2 |
12.4 |
|
Range (City/Highway/Combined; Miles) |
378/490/420 |
409/ 502/ 448 |
343.2/462/396 |
372/471.2/409 |
The Toyota and the Honda are the only rivals that come close to the efficiency figures of the Forte.The Honda has the smallest fuel tank capacity at 12.4 gallons and still has a good range thanks to the mileage figures.The Toyota and the mazda share the tank capacity but the Toyota is better in terms of fuel efficiency figures.
The Forte seats up to 5 passengers in comfort irrespective of whether you're seated up front or on the rear bench. The Kia offers a great deal for the state-of-the-art technology that is offered at such a cheap price. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay smartphone integration and Bluetooth come standard in all the trims. The Forte comes equipped with a standard 8.0-inch infotainment system.
There is no shortage for a good seating position thanks to the generous range of the steering wheel and driver's seat adjustments. Right from the base trim,there are a lot of standard features and the GT-Line and the GT trim are equipped with sports seats. The Forte has a very minimalist yet top-notch design.
|
Models |
2021 Kia Forte |
2021 Toyota Corolla |
2021 Mazda 3 |
2021 Honda Civic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches) |
38.8/56.1/42.2 |
38.3/54/42 |
38/55.7/42.3 |
38.2/56.9/42.3 |
|
Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches) |
37.5/55.3/35.7 |
37.1/51.7/34.8 |
37.3/53.5/35.9 |
34.6/52.6/35.9 |
|
Cargo Capacity cu-ft) |
15.3 |
14.4 |
13.1 |
13.2 |
The trunk space is really good and on par with many other midsize sedans,The interior dimensions of all the cars are almost similar to each other with very little differences.The Forte however provides a well-balanced passenger space in both rows.
Some of the highlight features of the Forte’s interiors are:
A wireless smartphone charging pad is optional on the GT-Line, EX, and GT trim.
Chevrolet has given the 2021 Silverado 1500 with a 7-inch touchscreen. The screen is not too crisp, it has a grainy display and a choppy interface. The color and the contrast are low but it manages to do the job quite well without feeling too out of date. Both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported on an 8-inch touchscreen display from the LT trim onwards.
The 2021 Silverado 1500 comes equipped with a 6-speaker audio system. A 7-speaker Bose premium sound system is offered for the High Country trim but optional on the LTZ, RST, and LT Trail Boss trim. Some other infotainment features of the 2021 Silverado 1500 include:
The 2021 Kia Forte design language makes sure it gets a great road presence, with its front design and the ready for any kind of job look. The front is distinguished with a massive grille with a black bar and the Chevrolet embossed in it.
A pair of halogens in the headlamps gives an update to the exterior appearance from the front of the Crew Cab. The rear is also distinguished with LED lighting and large wheel arches for the big 17-inch wheels to fit in.
|
Models |
Kia Forte |
Ford Ranger |
Toyota Tacoma |
RAM 1500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lb) |
4702 |
4627 |
4205 |
4971 |
|
Length (inches) |
231.7 |
231.7 |
212.3 |
232.9 |
|
Width (inches) |
81.24 |
79.9 |
74.4 |
82.1 |
|
Height (inches) |
75.51 |
75.6 |
70.6 |
77.5 |
|
Ground Clearance (inches) |
7.9 |
8.5 |
9.4 |
8.2 |
|
Wheelbase (inches) |
147.43 |
145 |
127.4 |
144.5 |
The RAM 1500's wheelbase is 3 inches less than the Silverado. This conveys that the RAM’s interior is less roomy. At 5,180 lbs, the Ford F-150 stands as the heaviest pickup truck on the list. On the other side, the GM cars sit very close to the ground at 7.9 inches. Some of the highlight exterior features are:
The Kia Forte comes with these features as standard and they would include Front and Rear Parking Assist, Proactive Rollover Avoidance System, Hill Start Assist, etc. The 2021 Silverado is sold with a list of safety features to provide safety and. Also, the six airbags provide the utmost protection during some kind of unfortunate incident. The highlights features offered in the Silverado include the following:
While being more expensive than the Forte, the Corolla does manage to offer a comfortable ride,spacious rear seat and a number of features as standard.
The Forte on the other hand seems balanced and is more value for money when compared to the costly but attractive and well equipped.Both these cars are a good deal and the deal is in the buyer’s choice.
The Mazda’s price point starts from where the KIa’s price point ends.That might seem a big negative right there but the Mazda does offer great performance and manage to look more premium than the rivals.
The Mazda is the better car in terms of looks,acceleration and the engine but the features are not plenty.However the Forte’s GT trim might be a good choice.
Once again a car that costs more than the Forte,the honda does offer a good Handling,a powerful engine and good space inside wil many trims to choose from.
The Kia will be seen as an alternative only based on the price you pay,considering that the Forte is clearly priced lower than the Civic.The Kia is still the most value for the money and won't disappoint considering it offers really good and advanced features great fuel economy.
The Kia might seem to be very much down on many things when compared to its rivals,but this car has it’s better points too and when it shines it does so with a good margin from the competition. The Kia Forte is still the most value for your money and still the great deal.If you do not have a problem with budget constraints the other three cars are no bad picks either.
Car Name | 0-60 MPH | Quarter Mile | Top Speed | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Kia Forte Ranked #3 | 7.9 sec | 16.2 sec | 123 mph | |||
2021 Volkswagen Jetta Ranked #1 | 7.7 sec | - | 127 mph | |||
2021 Acura ILX Ranked #2 | 7.8 sec | 15.5 sec | 110 mph | |||
2021 Toyota Corolla Ranked #4 | 8.9 sec | 17.4 sec | 112 mph | |||
2021 Subaru Impreza Ranked #5 | 9 sec | 17 sec | - | |||
2021 Nissan Sentra Ranked #6 | 9.1 sec | 17.0 sec | - |
Car Name | MPG City | MPG Highway | MPG Combined | Fuel Tank Capacity | Range (C/H) | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Kia Forte Ranked #4 | 27 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | 14 gal. | 378/518 mi. | |||
2021 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #1 | 33 mpg | 43 mpg | 37 mpg | 12.4 gal. | 409.2/533.2 mi. | |||
2021 Volkswagen Jetta Ranked #2 | 30 mpg | 41 mpg | 34 mpg | 13.5 gal. | 405/553.5 mi. | |||
2021 Nissan Sentra Ranked #3 | 29 mpg | 39 mpg | 33 mpg | 12.4 gal. | 359.6/483.6 mi. | |||
2021 Hyundai Accent Ranked #3 | 29 mpg | 39 mpg | 33 mpg | 11.9 gal. | 345.1/464.1 mi. | |||
2021 Toyota Corolla Ranked #3 | 30 mpg | 38 mpg | 33 mpg | 13.2 gal. | 396/501.6 mi. |
Car Name | Length | Width | Height | Ground Clearance | Wheelbase | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Kia Forte Ranked #3 | 182.7 in. | 70.9 in. | 56.5 in. | 5.3 in. | 106.3 in. | |||
2021 Volkswagen Jetta Ranked #1 | 185.1 in. | 70.8 in. | 57.6 in. | 5.6 in. | 105.7 in. | |||
2021 Mazda 3 Ranked #2 | 183.5 in. | 70.7 in. | 56.9 in. | 5.5 in. | 107.3 in. | |||
2021 Nissan Sentra Ranked #3 | 182.7 in. | 71.5 in. | 56.9 in. | 4.8 in. | 106.8 in. | |||
2021 Subaru Impreza Ranked #3 | 182.7 in. | 70 in. | 57.3 in. | 5.1 in. | 105.1 in. | |||
2021 Toyota Corolla Ranked #4 | 182.3 in. | 70.1 in. | 56.5 in. | 5.1 in. | 106.3 in. |
Car Name | Trunk Capacity | Passenger Volume | Max Trunk Volume | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Kia Forte Ranked #2 | 15.3 cu.ft. | 96 cu.ft. | 108.8 cu.ft. | |||
2021 Toyota Corolla Ranked #1 | 13.1 cu.ft. | 88.6 cu.ft. | 176 cu.ft. | |||
2021 Hyundai Accent Ranked #3 | 13.7 cu.ft. | 90.2 cu.ft. | 75.1 cu.ft. | |||
2021 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #4 | 14.2 cu.ft. | 114 cu.ft. | 48.9 cu.ft. | |||
2021 Acura ILX Ranked #5 | 12.4 cu.ft. | 89.3 cu.ft. | 13.5 cu.ft. | |||
2021 Volkswagen Jetta Ranked #6 | 14.1 cu.ft. | 94.7 cu.ft. | - |
Car Name | Cargo Volume | Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area | Max Cargo Volume | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Kia Forte Ranked #1 | 108.8 cu.ft. | 15.3 cu.ft. | 108.8 cu.ft. | |||
2021 Acura ILX Ranked #2 | 13.5 cu.ft. | 12.4 cu.ft. | 13.5 cu.ft. | |||
2021 Toyota Corolla Ranked #3 | 176 cu.ft. | 13.1 cu.ft. | 176 cu.ft. | |||
2021 Volkswagen Jetta Ranked #4 | - | 14.1 cu.ft. | - | |||
2021 Nissan Sentra Ranked #5 | - | 14.3 cu.ft. | - | |||
2021 Hyundai Accent Ranked #6 | 75.1 cu.ft. | 13.7 cu.ft. | 75.1 cu.ft. |
Car Name | Payload Capacity | Weight | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Kia Forte Ranked #1 | 884 lbs. | 2707 lbs. | |||
2021 Nissan Sentra Ranked #1 | 921 lbs. | 3036 lbs. | |||
2021 Hyundai Accent Ranked #1 | 959 lbs. | 2502 lbs. | |||
2021 Subaru Impreza Ranked #1 | 1252 lbs. | 2976 lbs. | |||
2021 Mazda 3 Ranked #1 | - | 2984 lbs. | |||
2021 Toyota Corolla Ranked #1 | 825 lbs. | 2910 lbs. |
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POPULAR TAGS
User Overall Rating
Posted On: July 23, 2024
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...
User Overall Rating
Posted On: June 15, 2024
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...
User Overall Rating
Posted On: July 15, 2024
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.
