The 2020 Kia Forte delivers on value from the bottom on up, but we’d spend a bit more to get a lot of extra features if it was our money. We give it 8 out of 10 here; it gets extra points for standard features, value, warranty, and infotainment, but loses a point due to the spotty availability of safety features.
Every 2020 Forte comes with a full suite of active safety tech, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and multiple USB ports for a base price of under $19,000 including a $925 destination charge. That’s for the base FE model with a 6-speed manual transmission (the CVT costs $900 more).
We’d start shopping with the LXS model, which adds 16-inch alloy wheels and improved styling, split-folding rear seats, soft touch door panels, and a drive mode selector for just a few hundred more than the FE.
A new GT-Line trim adds sportier styling in the form of 17-inch wheels, black trim accents, LED daytime running lights and taillights, a flat-bottom steering wheel, keyless ignition, and blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts for $21,315.
The EX is the most lavish version of the base Forte, adding heated and cooled front seats with synthetic leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat, LED lighting inside and out, and more for $22,915.
Our money would be on the new GT model, which adds improved sport suspension and exhaust to go along with its 201-horsepower turbo-4 for $23,815. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard while a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is available for an additional $400. The top-tier GT also gets 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with automatic high beams, and unique interior trim.
Kia’s excellent warranty covers the car for 5 years/60,000 miles, and the powertrain for 10 years/100,000 miles.
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