2019 Kia Forte Road Test and Review

2019 Kia Forte Red Driving Front JZ ・ Photo by Jeff Zurschmeide

Kia always gives buyers a lot for their money, but the 2019 Forte takes value to the next level, bringing economy car buyers a premium experience, without the prestige price tag. The Forte compact sedan is one of Kia’s most popular vehicles, and now it’s been dramatically improved for 2019 with an updated look, a long list of new standard features, and a price range designed to put a new car in anyone’s driveway.

Read on to find out exactly what’s new on the 2019 Kia Forte.

Looks Like a Stinger

The first thing to know about the 2019 Forte is that Kia wasn’t shy about bringing design cues from its Stinger halo performance car to the redesign. As a result, the new Forte looks aggressive, sporty, and ready for action. Most importantly, the new Forte looks like it should come from a premium European brand at a much higher price tag. The Forte is a car you can drive with pride, and park it next to any expensive sport sedan without a second thought.

What gives the Forte its new look is a long hood and comparatively short rear deck, reflecting the "four-door coupe" styling that is popular among premium brands right now. Headlights that sweep back along the fenders increase the effect, and a pugnacious stance is assisted with attractive wheel choices in 16- or 17-inch diameters on most trims.

Photo by Jeff Zurschmeide

Economy Trim Levels and Pricing

There are four basic trim levels for the 2019 Forte, ranging from the most basic FE to the LXS and S midrange models, and the luxury EX. All use the same engine, and the Forte offers front-wheel drive only. All trims are subject to an $895 destination fee.

The least expensive FE trim comes with a six-speed manual transmission and has a suggested retail price of $17,690. This package comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a rearview camera, and advanced safety features including forward-collision avoidance, a lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The FE trim with Kia’s continuously variable automatic transmission starts at $18,590. Moving up to the LXS trim, starting at $19,090, buyers receive 16-inch alloy wheels and a 60/40 folding rear seat, among other features. 

Photo by Jeff Zurschmeide

Sport and Luxury Trim Levels and Pricing

Continuing up the lineup, the sporty S trim is priced at $20,190 and includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime lights, power windows, the UVO eServices app support package, and voice recognition for $21,390. For $1,200 extra, the S Premium Package includes a power sunroof, auto-leveling LED headlights, and high beam assist.

The top EX level starts at $21,990 with everything in the S trim, plus a smart key with push-button start, Sofino leatherette seat trim, heated and ventilated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat, and a blind-spot monitor with a rear cross-traffic alert. For demanding buyers, the EX Launch Edition adds $3,210 to the EX price to bring special 17-inch wheels, a 4.2-inch digital driver information display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 320-watt Harman Kardon stereo, a parking distance warning, a rear spoiler, navigation, adaptive cruise control, and wireless phone charging.

Photo by Kia

Advanced safety is standard.

One of the main reasons to consider the 2019 Kia Forte is that so much of the essential advanced safety equipment comes as standard equipment, even on the least expensive trim level. Forward collision avoidance and forward collision warnings are standard across the entire Forte line. Every 2019 Forte also comes with lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, and a rearview camera as standard equipment.

If you choose the top EX trim, you’ll also get lane-change assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic collision warnings. The Launch Edition package on top of the EX trim adds automatic high beams, a rear parking distance warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Photo by Jeff Zurschmeide

Plucky Engine

There is one standard engine for the entire Forte product line, and it’s a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder. There are no turbo or V6 options on this vehicle, but it really doesn’t need more engine power. The basic Forte engine produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to power the Forte onto the freeway with confidence and carry a full load of passengers or cargo. Fuel economy is EPA-estimated at 31 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg combined.

In every trim above the base FE model, Forte drivers can choose among driving modes that include Smart mode for enhanced fuel economy, Normal mode, and Sport mode. These don’t change the engine behavior, but they do affect your perceived engine power by changing the way the transmission responds to your engine inputs.

Photo by Kia

Continuously Variable Transmission

The most basic 2019 Forte comes with a six-speed manual transmission. We didn’t get to drive that car, but it’s probably really fun if you like shifting your own gears. Kia’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional on the base FE trim and standard on all other trim levels. This CVT has been programmed to simulate the gearshifts of a conventional automatic transmission, but we didn't find the effect convincing. This is not a bad thing, just something to know when you take a test drive.

Variable transmissions are actually more efficient than conventional automatics because they allow the engine to run at its optimum speed and smoothly accelerate. The CVT in the new Forte is a new design with a metal drive chain for a long service life.

Photo by Kia

Useful Driving Modes

The drive modes that allow you to change the transmission’s behavior are also included on all Fortes with the automatic transmission. In addition to adjusting the simulated gearshift points, drive modes also change up the throttle response and the power steering system.

Smart mode helps the Forte save fuel, while Sport mode is designed for a more energetic driving experience. The Forte uses a patented motor-driven power steering system, and choosing Sport mode tightens up the steering feel as well as the transmission response. You’ll be able to feel the difference between Smart, Comfort, and Sport modes. The Forte defaults to Comfort mode with good all-around driving settings. Then when you want to enjoy a spirited drive in the hills, Sport mode will put a smile on your face.

Photo by Jeff Zurschmeide

Available Harman Kardon Audio

The basic audio package in the 2019 Forte is a good one. It’s based on an eight-inch touchscreen system that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and it’s included at every trim level.

If you want to plus up your tunes, the Forte EX with the optional Launch Edition package includes a 320-watt Harman Kardon audio package. The Harman Kardon stereo has eight speakers, including a subwoofer. The base FE and LXS trims come with four speakers, and the S and EX trims offer six speakers and access to Sirius satellite radio with the audio system. One more tech note: The EX Launch Edition also comes with wireless charging for capable mobile devices.

Photo by Jeff Zurschmeide

Luxury Cabin Features

You might not notice it immediately, but the new Forte has an impressive cabin. It’s longer than before, giving rear seat passengers more legroom. It’s also taller for more headroom all around. The extra size also extends to the trunk, which offers a generous 15.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Kia decided to go with just one climate control system, bringing zoned climate control to every trim level. That’s significant and something you won’t find in the base trims of the competition. If you walk up the trim levels in the Forte, you’ll get access to luxury features like heated and ventilated front seats in the EX trim. A power sunroof is included in the S Premium package or the EX Launch Edition package.

Photo by Kia

The Bottom Line on the 2019 Kia Forte

The 2019 Kia Forte is the best Forte ever offered. For an economy price tag, you can drive a truly premium compact sedan. On the road, the new Forte feels solidly planted and offers firm and confident steering. Acceleration and handling are good for the segment, and comparable to any brand at the same price point.

If we were to buy a new Forte for ourselves, we’d be very tempted to go all-in on the EX Launch Edition because for an out-the-door price of $26,095 a Forte driver can have a set of features usually found in more expensive cars. For that money, you’ll have navigation, adaptive cruise, a full set of advanced safety features, high-end Harman Kardon audio, and power-adjustable seating with heat and ventilation. That’s a lot of content for the money, and that’s what Kia intended.

Photo by Kia