Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A blue 2021 Kia Forte is shown from the front after leaving a Kia Forte dealer.

Kia Forte: Affordable and Well Protected

Though many potential car buyers seek cheap options in the form of pre-owned vehicles, some even skipping the dealership altogether, you don’t have to go searching through classified ads to get an affordable car. While they might be overshadowed by the top-trim SUVs and fully-optioned crew-cab pickups, there are still plenty of highly affordable brand-new vehicles out there. Some of the best options come from Kia, which has been in the vehicle market since 1957 and is now known for affordable and remarkably well-equipped vehicles. One of their best-known models, the Kia Forte, has been around since 2009. The newest model can be found at any Kia Forte dealer and starts at under $18,000.

The Kia Forte is more than just affordable; it has plenty of modern tech in even the base model as well as fantastic fuel economy. The exterior has sporty cues, and the interior is roomy. The vehicle, as a whole, is practical and well designed for growing families or buyers on a budget. The Kia Forte is a wonderful deal for all budget buyers who want a good deal and a highly reliable vehicle. Kia’s 100,000-mile warranty offers even more value and assures you that this is a vehicle you can trust. All of this combines to make the 2021 Kia Forte one of the best deals a buyer can get.

A white 2021 Kia Forte shows a close up of a tire splashing through rain.

Why Kia Has Great Value: Warranties and Ability

There are some fantastic warranties available for buyers at Kia dealers. The Kia Forte has more value than its base MSRP of $17,890 might suggest. The biggest value is the 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. This warranty covers all the parts responsible for moving the vehicle forward or backward, including the transmission, drivetrain, and engine. These parts are covered for ten years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Similar warranties exist for roadside assistance (5 years/60,000 miles) and anti-perforation (5 years/100,000 miles), as well as the basic warranty (5 years/60,000 miles.) These warranties guarantee roadside assistance coverage, protect against rust, and add bumper-to-bumper coverage to protect against any failures of the vehicle.

The 2021 Kia Forte has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission at the base level. These combine to give the Forte a maximum of 147 horsepower and fuel efficiency of 27 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway. The continuously variable automatic transmission is optional at the base level and standard at higher trim levels. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard in the sportier GT and GT Manual trims, which also come with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 201 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard for all trim levels, though the GT trims are equipped with a more responsive multi link rear suspension.

Unlike many other budget cars, the Forte looks just as good as it handles, with sharp and modern exterior lines. LED headlights and taillights are available to enhance the sporty front fascia and trademark tiger-nose grille. The Forte GT goes even further with its subtle red grille accents, massive alloy wheels, and other sporty design choices. But despite its sporty look, the 2021 Kia Forte remains a spacious and practical sedan that even families can appreciate.

The 2021 Kia Forte has seating space for five with a roomy backseat, LATCH connectors, and plenty of legroom. This vehicle is very comfortable and boasts 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk. Split-folding rear seats and a smart trunk are available for higher trim levels, with the latter being easy to operate. These features increase available storage space and make loading easier since the trunk can be automatically triggered. All of these small details combine to give the Kia Forte exactly what growing families need, and still, Kia offers more to keep its buyers satisfied.

Safety and Technology: Keeping Kia Buyers Happy

The Kia Forte is well designed to give buyers everything they need or expect. The vehicle was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which requires not only excellent crash-test results but also advanced driver-assist technology and other safety features. Some standard safety features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Lane Keeping Assist-Line, among other things. These features can automatically apply the brakes in the event of a possible accident or adjust the steering automatically if the vehicle begins to drift.

The 2021 Kia Forte is well built, crafted of 54% high-strength steel, which adds to its fantastic safety ratings. This ultra-strong frame adds better stability and great structural strength to the vehicle. The traction control system and electronic stability control work together to make the Kia Forte easier for drivers to maintain control while they are behind the wheel. A six airbag system is included to offer safety from the front and both sides for all passengers. All of these features combine well to form one of the best in class for safety.

An eight-inch touchscreen is standard in the vehicle, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto included. There is a wireless charging pad available on some trim levels, freeing space up front and preventing a mess of tangled wires. The infotainment display is positioned on top of the dash, making it safer since drivers don’t have to take their eyes off the road. Hands-free voice control is another standard technology and safety feature in the 2021 Kia Forte.

Real-time navigation is available through the infotainment software, with the UVO app allowing for remote voice control through Alexa or Google assistant. The vehicle can also automatically connect to 911 if the airbags deploy or hook up to roadside assistance if you encounter a less serious problem. All of these technological advances make the 2021 Kia Forte even easier to operate, and Kia Forte dealers can walk buyers through all the available options so that they can decide what would work best for them.

A blue 2021 Kia Forte is parked in a warehouse.

Kia Forte: Affordable, Safe, Protected

If you are looking for an affordable new car, then it is worth paying a visit to a Kia Forte dealer. The low starting price has been kept as standard for some time, continuing Kia’s solid reputation of having highly affordable stock. These vehicles are built with an eye for safety, as evidenced by the steel frame. Top safety ratings have been well earned by the Kia Forte, making it highly desirable for growing families. Finally, the warranties are all offered as standard and promise to keep the vehicle and its component parts covered for a long period of time.

The 2021 Kia Forte is an exceptional deal that is designed to sit near the top of its class. The available smart trunk makes loading easier, and the interior is roomy as well as comfortable. All of these great features combine to create a highly affordable vehicle that was undoubtedly created for modern drivers. Any Kia Forte dealer will happily talk buyers through all the options you have to choose between to ensure you purchase the car that is perfect for them, whether you are looking for the basic FE trim or an exciting GT model.