The Kia Forte has always been an underrated option in the affordable small car class. The 2021 Kia Forte currently ranks fifth out of nine in our list of the best small cars. But it shares many of its parts with the first, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra. It uses the same engines. Same chassis. Same continuously variable transmission (CVT).
What has held it out of the top spots? Small matters that go a long way in making a car appealing, like a somewhat dowdy appearance and a small driver instrument display. They’re details many buyers can easily live with, but they kept the Forte from competing at the top of its class.
The Forte is due for a mid-cycle refresh for the 2022 model year. That’s less than a full redesign but more than the usual minor changes from year to year. Kia has used the chance to improve many of those little nits some shoppers might pick.
The 2022 Kia Forte reaches dealerships soon. It starts at $19,090, plus a $995 destination charge – one of the few automakers keeping destination charges to three figures.
Sharper Looks
The Forte gets a new face for the new model year. A thinner grille, slimmer jeweled headlights, and deep character lines in the hood steal a few notes from the sexier EV6 electric hatchback. New LED foglights that hug a diagonal line in the lower air vent look particularly upscale. In the back, a new decklid spoiler and reworked taillights sound like minor changes. But they knit the look together in a sportier way than last year’s model.
The Forte is available in four trim levels – FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. For 2022, the EX model has been discontinued, and a new GT-Line Sport Premium package has been added. All but the GT use a 147 horsepower, 4-cylinder engine, and a CVT.
The GT employs a more powerful, turbocharged 1.6-liter engine making 201 horsepower and comes with a choice of a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. There is no price difference between the two transmissions.
Tech Upgrades
Inside, that driver’s instrument display is now a good-size 4.2-inch digital screen. The standard 8-inch central touchscreen remains, but a larger 10.25-inch model is now available. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard.
A whole slew of automated safety features are now available, but Kia still makes buyers pay for most of them as options. Front collision avoidance and lane-following assist, which helps center the car in its lane, are now standard on every trim level. Smart cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot collision avoidance, and safe exit assist are all options.
2022 Kia Forte Pricing:
| Forte FE | $19,090.00 |
| Forte LXS | $19,590.00 |
| Forte GT Line | $21,290.00 |
| Forte GT (either transmission) | $23,490.00 |
Class of 2022: All the New and Redesigned Cars, Trucks, and SUVs
