The New 2023 Kia Forte
The compact sedan will always have a spot as the entry-level vehicle for many drivers. It’s a great platform! By offering a small, basic vehicle with efficiency and at least some comforts and conveniences at a low price point, compact cars are some of the best no-frills bargains on the market.
So when someone like Kia comes along and adds some frills while still keeping the ultra-low price point, critics sit up and notice. The 2023 Kia Forte has earned a spot as J.D. Power’s top-rated compact car of 2023, knocking down some highly-touted competition. Let’s take a look at what the Forte does that others don’t!
So when someone like Kia comes along and adds some frills while still keeping the ultra-low price point, critics sit up and notice. The 2023 Kia Forte has earned a spot as J.D. Power’s top-rated compact car of 2023, knocking down some highly-touted competition. Let’s take a look at what the Forte does that others don’t!
Performance
By offering two different engines under the hood, the 2023 Kia Forte can appeal to the basic commuter as well as the performance fan. At the base level, the fuel-efficient naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. Steady and reliable, it is perky around town and capable on the open road. It’s at the pump that this engine shines – the EPA has rated it at up to 31 mpg city and 41 mpg highway, depending on the trim. For the daily driver trying to keep their fuel costs down, this is clutch.
Speaking of clutch, the GT pair with their turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine offers the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Either way, you get 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, for impressively entertaining performance. This comes at a fuel efficiency cost – the automatic tops out at 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, while the manual dips to 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
All Forte models are front-wheel drive. The GT and GT Manual get some extra tuning for improved performance. This includes a sport-tuned exhaust, larger front and rear disc brakes, and a multi-link rear suspension for better braking and control.
By offering two different engines under the hood, the 2023 Kia Forte can appeal to the basic commuter as well as the performance fan. At the base level, the fuel-efficient naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. Steady and reliable, it is perky around town and capable on the open road. It’s at the pump that this engine shines – the EPA has rated it at up to 31 mpg city and 41 mpg highway, depending on the trim. For the daily driver trying to keep their fuel costs down, this is clutch.
Speaking of clutch, the GT pair with their turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine offers the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Either way, you get 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, for impressively entertaining performance. This comes at a fuel efficiency cost – the automatic tops out at 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, while the manual dips to 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
All Forte models are front-wheel drive. The GT and GT Manual get some extra tuning for improved performance. This includes a sport-tuned exhaust, larger front and rear disc brakes, and a multi-link rear suspension for better braking and control.
Style and Technology
A sharp and sporty exterior sets the 2023 Kia Forte apart on the road, all set up by the narrow take on Kia’s Tiger Nose grille. The GT models get an appearance package that includes a new spoiler. 15-inch wheels are standard, with available rims up to 18 inches. Inside, the design takes some hints from European stylings, with a conservative, compact layout.
Room for five passengers in the cabin includes 37.5 inches of headroom in the rear seat, along with 35.7 inches of legroom. These are some of the largest rear seats in the class – plenty for even adults to ride along for a longer trip. This matches up with 15.3 cubic feet of space in the trunk, the most in the class and on par with many mid-size sedans.
At the center of the tech is a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, which can be upgraded to a 10.25-inch unit with wired versions. Four speakers and a USB port, along with Bluetooth hands-free and phone are standard. The audio system can be upgraded to add satellite and HD radio, step up to a six-speaker audio system, or opt for the top-of-the-line eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Navigation, QI-compatible wireless device charging, and additional USB ports can be added.
A sharp and sporty exterior sets the 2023 Kia Forte apart on the road, all set up by the narrow take on Kia’s Tiger Nose grille. The GT models get an appearance package that includes a new spoiler. 15-inch wheels are standard, with available rims up to 18 inches. Inside, the design takes some hints from European stylings, with a conservative, compact layout.
Room for five passengers in the cabin includes 37.5 inches of headroom in the rear seat, along with 35.7 inches of legroom. These are some of the largest rear seats in the class – plenty for even adults to ride along for a longer trip. This matches up with 15.3 cubic feet of space in the trunk, the most in the class and on par with many mid-size sedans.
At the center of the tech is a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, which can be upgraded to a 10.25-inch unit with wired versions. Four speakers and a USB port, along with Bluetooth hands-free and phone are standard. The audio system can be upgraded to add satellite and HD radio, step up to a six-speaker audio system, or opt for the top-of-the-line eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Navigation, QI-compatible wireless device charging, and additional USB ports can be added.
Safety
The Kia Forte has regularly fared well in crash testing, and the 2023 edition continues to perform well. Kia wants you to avoid accidents though, which is where the suite of standard assistance systems comes in. These include a rearview camera, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane-departure warning, and Driver Attention Warning. There are, of course, more systems offered – the Forte can be equipped with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, highway driving assist, vehicle exit warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors.
The Kia Forte has regularly fared well in crash testing, and the 2023 edition continues to perform well. Kia wants you to avoid accidents though, which is where the suite of standard assistance systems comes in. These include a rearview camera, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane-departure warning, and Driver Attention Warning. There are, of course, more systems offered – the Forte can be equipped with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, highway driving assist, vehicle exit warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors.
Trim Levels
With five different trim levels, there’s something for everyone with the 2023 Kia Forte, but it’s not overwhelming trying to make your choice.
At an incredible price point, the LX trim is clad in durable cloth upholstery. Power amenities such as door locks and windows with driver one-touch auto down are also standard. Both front seats are 6-way manually adjustable, and remote keyless entry with vehicle immobilizer is provided. The LX trim sits on 15-inch steel wheels.
Stepping up to the LXS trim really brings a lot of features on board, including 15-inch alloy wheels, and opens up the color palette to a choice of seven colors. Inside, the upholstery remains cloth, but you get additional soft-touch door trim and a 60/40 split rear seat. Heated side view mirrors are an available option, as is the Technology package that ups the driver’s assistance features by adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and vehicle exit warning.
With five different trim levels, there’s something for everyone with the 2023 Kia Forte, but it’s not overwhelming trying to make your choice.
At an incredible price point, the LX trim is clad in durable cloth upholstery. Power amenities such as door locks and windows with driver one-touch auto down are also standard. Both front seats are 6-way manually adjustable, and remote keyless entry with vehicle immobilizer is provided. The LX trim sits on 15-inch steel wheels.
Stepping up to the LXS trim really brings a lot of features on board, including 15-inch alloy wheels, and opens up the color palette to a choice of seven colors. Inside, the upholstery remains cloth, but you get additional soft-touch door trim and a 60/40 split rear seat. Heated side view mirrors are an available option, as is the Technology package that ups the driver’s assistance features by adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and vehicle exit warning.
Everything from the available package is standard on the GT-Line trim, which is the top trim for the base engine. Sport seating gets synthetic leather inserts, while the multi-function steering wheel is also wrapped in leather. The 10.25-inch touchscreen is standard on this trim and features HD radio, satellite radio, navigation, and six speakers. Proximity keyless entry with push-button start is provided, while dual-zone automatic climate control provides comfort for all. A hands-free power trunk lid makes it easy to load in and out. Sporty trim-specific interior and exterior styling are provided, and the wheels are upgraded to 17-inch alloys. Three unique option packages can be mixed and matched – the GT-Line Technology package with cyclist detection, highway-driving assist, navigation-based stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, and electronic hand brake; the GT-Line Premium package that adds a sunroof, LED interior lighting, wireless device charging, and the premium Harman Kardon audio system on top of the Tech package; and the GT-Line Sport Premium package with full synthetic leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a rear USB port and a rear air-conditioning vent.
Featuring the turbocharged powerplant and updated tuning, the GT trim gets the same comforts and conveniences as the GT-Line trim with the Technology package, as well as wireless device charging and a rear USB port. 18-inch alloy wheels are standard outside. A single option package adds everything else from the GT-Line option packages.
While the GT manual transmission features everything in the GT base package, there are a few changes to the options package. The 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat is not available. Ventilated front seats and full synthetic leather upholstery are also eliminated – the best you can get is the synthetic trim and heated-only front seats. And of course, the big difference is the six-speed manual instead of the seven-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
Featuring the turbocharged powerplant and updated tuning, the GT trim gets the same comforts and conveniences as the GT-Line trim with the Technology package, as well as wireless device charging and a rear USB port. 18-inch alloy wheels are standard outside. A single option package adds everything else from the GT-Line option packages.
While the GT manual transmission features everything in the GT base package, there are a few changes to the options package. The 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat is not available. Ventilated front seats and full synthetic leather upholstery are also eliminated – the best you can get is the synthetic trim and heated-only front seats. And of course, the big difference is the six-speed manual instead of the seven-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
With a mix of value-minded common-sense comfort and some fun, engaging performance, the 2023 Kia Forte has plenty to offer as an entry-level sedan. Come take a look at it today and find out which Forte trim is the right match for your driving needs!
Come check out the Forte today and find the right sedan for you! Contact us to schedule your test drive at West Broad Kia today.
Come check out the Forte today and find the right sedan for you! Contact us to schedule your test drive at West Broad Kia today.