2021 Kia Forte Review: High-Value Family Chariot
The Kia Forte is a compact sedan that aims to topple segment leaders in the US like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. That's a tough ask, but then again, Kia has proven that it knows how to build a capable and desirable sedan with the likes of the stunning K5 and engaging Stinger higher up in the price range. Does the Forte capture the same magic at its more affordable end of the market? That remains up for debate, but the Forte does bring a stylish exterior, lots of features, and admirable fuel efficiency to the party. On the downside, the base 2.0-liter engine is rather gutless, and upgrading to the more powerful 201-horsepower turbocharged motor hikes up the price. In most other aspects that count, however, the Kia Forte sedan impresses enough to be shortlisted in a hotly contested segment.
What's the Price of the 2021 Kia Forte?
The 2021 Kia Forte has a starting MSRP in the USA of $17,890 for the FE with the manual gearbox, rising to $18,790 with the CVT. Next is the LXS at $19,390, the GT-Line at $20,490, and the EX at $23,090. These mid-range trims are all only offered with the CVT 'box. The top-spec GT carries a price tag of $22,690 with the DCT and $23,290 with the manual. Every Kia Forte price here excludes a destination charge of $965, plus tax, licensing, and registration costs.
2021 Forte Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182.7 in | 106.3 in | 56.5 in | 70.9 in | 61.5 in | 61.9 in | 2,707.0 lbs |
2021 Forte Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
It's a bit of a mixed bag for the Forte in this department. While not seriously falling short in any aspect, our review found that the compact sedan lacks the polish of some rivals. In general, the Forte asserts itself well through the corners without resorting to excessive body roll, and changes in direction are dealt with smoothly. The steering is well-weighted but lacks feedback, and the Kia's smooth progress can occasionally be disrupted by mid-corner bumps. A sport-tuned suspension endows the GT with a touch more athleticism than other models within the range, but it's not exactly going to threaten any sports cars.
The ride quality is on the firm side for a family sedan, lacking the polish of a Honda Civic in this regard. It's not bad, but a back-to-back test drive with some rivals exposes the Kia's harsher suspension and a tendency to struggle with larger bumps. On smoother surfaces, the Forte is a fuss-free commuter and manages to suppress external noises well.
2021 Forte Interior
2021 Forte Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 10 Years / 100,000 Miles | 5 Years / 100,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2021 Kia Forte A Good car?
Without revolutionizing the segment, the 2021 Kia Forte hardly misses a beat as a high-value, comfortable, and spacious compact sedan. Highlights include an impressive list of standard features, excellent fuel efficiency, and a brilliant warranty. The base engine does little to excite and it's disappointing that most trims have access to only this power plant, but it gets the job done and helps to keep running costs low. In this segment, there is no shortage of tough competition, from the well-rounded Honda Civic to the premium-feeling Mazda 3, both of which offer sportier hatchback alternatives, too. Neither of these great cars comes close to embarrassing the competent Kia, though, which may not sound like high praise but aptly demonstrates how good the Korean is. The Forte is the only one of these three to boast a base price starting below the $20,000 mark, and for many, that will be enough reason to choose it.
What Kia Forte Model Should I Buy?
We'd love to go straight for the turbocharged GT, as it's a much more enjoyable car to drive than other versions in the range, but as the Forte must also tick the value-for-money box, it's worth looking lower down in the range. Our choice would be the GT-Line, which comes in at just over $20,000 but offers a decent array of added features and a sportier look than the FE, such as blind-spot warning and a more powerful sound system. If you can stretch to the GT, this model remains out top choice in the range.
2021 Kia Forte Comparisons
2021 Kia Forte vs Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai's all-new Elantra brings dramatic styling to the party, both inside and out, which leaves the Forte looking rather tame by comparison. There's less drama under the hood, though, as the Elantra uses the same 147-hp 2.0-liter mill found in the Forte. However, a sporty N Line that is likely to use a turbocharged motor is in the pipeline. Until we drive the brand new Elantra, we can't definitively say that it eclipses its Korean rival, but we expect it to offer a good balance between a comfortable ride and sure-footed handling. The more modern Elantra's cabin appears to take the lead, though, with a dashboard-spanning ventilation outlet and an available digital instrument cluster, so it is the more advanced of the two offerings. When it arrives, expect it to offer the Forte a stern challenge.
2021 Kia Forte vs Honda Civic Sedan
The Honda Civic is close in many ways to the Forte, but the 2021 sedan starts at a higher base price of $21,050. In a couple of ways, the Civic does admittedly feel like it's worth the extra outlay, though. Its base engine has a superior 158-hp output, while the Civic has a 174-hp turbocharged motor that is available across more trim levels than the turbo engine in the Forte. The Honda also rides more smoothly, yet remains a fun-to-drive sedan when the road gets twisty. While the Forte has a larger trunk by the tiniest of margins, it's the Civic that offers an extra 1.7 inches of rear legroom. The Kia has a far superior warranty, though, but the Honda promises to be very reliable. While closely matched overall, we give the edge to the Japanese car.