Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A black 2021 Kia Forte is shown from the side after leaving a Certified Pre-Owned Kia Forte dealer.

The Not-So-Secret Kia Advantage: The Forte Edition

Although the industry is ablaze with crossovers and SUVs, compact cars remain a top choice among drivers prioritizing efficiency, agility, and affordability. One of the segment’s top sellers is the Kia Forte, a compact car renowned for its overall value, efficient powertrain, and many standard features. But what if you could find a Forte that puts even more money in your wallet without requiring you to settle for less on the used lot? Hitting that jackpot comes from shopping for a Certified Pre-Owned Kia Forte.

The Kia Advantage: Why Shop Certified Pre-Owned

Kia is highly praised for rewarding its customers by offering exceptional warranty coverage on its new models. This coverage gives drivers confidence in their purchases and peace of mind miles down the road, especially when the unthinkable occurs and their vehicle needs repair. Fortunately, Kia’s Certified Pre-Owned program follows these same principles and rewards drivers with outstanding coverage on top-quality pre-owned models.

Age and Mileage Restrictions

Shopping for a Certified Pre-Owned Forte comes with an age and mileage guarantee that reflects Kia’s high-quality standards. For example, a Certified Pre-Owned Forte can only be five years old and must have fewer than 60,000 miles on the odometer. This means most Certified Pre-Owned Fortes are third-generation models, which debuted in 2019 with a sportier style and more standard features.

Vetted for Quality

Kia’s high-quality standards don’t stop with a Forte’s age or mileage. Instead, Kia raises the bar even higher by ensuring every Certified Pre-Owned Forte passes a 165-point comprehensive inspection. Certified dealers oversee the inspection by conducting extensive road tests, accessing the vehicle history report, and examining every component from the steering, suspension, and transmission to the electrical system, interior, and exterior.

During the inspection, technicians note any areas of concern before sending the vehicle for reconditioning. Kia’s promise to use manufacturer-authorized parts further distinguishes the automaker in the industry and guarantees every Kia remains a Kia even when in need of repair. Once the Forte meets Kia’s reconditioning and inspection standards, it’s added to the dealer’s inventory, where the Certified Pre-Owned sticker guarantees its quality and operability.

CARFAX Vehicle History Report

Kia realizes that shopping for a pre-owned car comes with a certain degree of risk. Fortunately, the automaker goes to great lengths to mitigate that risk by providing customers with a CARFAX vehicle history report for every Certified Pre-Owned model. This report gives buyers a comprehensive view of the Forte’s ownership and maintenance history and any accident involvement, title issues, or instances of airbag deployment.

Warranty Coverage

Kia’s new vehicle warranty program is one of the best in the industry, but Kia extends that coverage beyond its new inventory. Every Certified Pre-Owned Forte comes with a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. This coverage protects vital components that would otherwise be costly out-of-pocket expenses and builds on the extended Platinum Coverage that runs for 12 months or 12,000 miles.

Added Perks

Investing in a Certified Pre-Owned Forte is more enticing when you realize the perks extend beyond its comprehensive inspection and warranty coverage. Kia believes every customer deserves to have confidence when they’re behind the wheel and delivers that confidence with added perks like access to Kia’s 24-hour unlimited-mile roadside assistance service. Help is only a phone call away with this service, whether you need fuel delivery, a battery jump-start, a lockout service, or towed to the nearest authorized dealer.

Along with purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned Forte, you’ll also receive a rental car allowance with warrantable repairs and Travel Breakdown protection should your Forte break down over 100 miles from your home. Kia’s rental car allowance minimizes any inconvenience if your Forte needs repair and ensures you always have reliable transportation. Likewise, the Travel Breakdown protection ensures you can get home even when traveling if your Kia breaks down.

Finding the Perfect Certified Pre-Owned Forte

Kia’s Certified Pre-Owned program means you’ll find only the best of the best on your search for a Forte. Keeping with Kia’s five-year restrictions, a 2017 Forte can qualify for certification if it has less than 60,000 miles. But what does a 2017 Forte offer, and what are your other options on the Certified Pre-Owned lot?

A red 2017 Kia Forte is shown from the front at an angle while parked in front of a house.

2017 Forte

Nearing the end of its second generation, the Forte received a facelift in 2017 that introduced a new front fascia, grille, and headlights to give the sedan a sportier aesthetic. To match this, Kia replaced the standard 1.8L four-cylinder engine with a new 2.0L and an updated six-speed automatic transmission to make the Forte more agile, capable, and efficient. In addition, the Forte also offered new driver-assist features like Autonomous Emergency Braking, Dynamic Bending Lights, Front Collision Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert that make top-tier Forte trims from 2017 a great value.

2018 Forte

The Forte remained largely unchanged for 2018, setting the stage for the introduction of the third-generation model in 2019. Even so, the 2018 Forte continued to impress with its multi-trim lineup offering exceptional value, especially with the optional turbocharged engine. The sedan’s Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also earned the 2018 model widespread acclaim, adding to its appeal on the Certified Pre-Owned lot today.

2019 Forte

We recommend shopping for a Certified Pre-Owned Forte built for the 2019 model year or later, as this marks the latest generation of the sedan. Taking many design cues from the Stinger, the 2019 Forte is more stylish than its predecessors and earns its place as a more refined sedan laden with newer technology. This reputation is well deserved since the Forte debuted Kia’s first in-house built intelligent variable transmission that boosted the sedan’s fuel economy to 35 MPG combined. Additional features like Kia Drive Wise and smartphone integration extend the Forte’s value and make it an exceptional find for drivers looking for newer technology and connectivity features without the new car sticker price.

2020 Forte

If you’re looking for a sportier sedan that won’t break the bank, look no further than the 2020 Forte GT. Newly introduced for 2020, the GT lives up to its name with its turbocharged engine producing 201 horsepower. Drivers who don’t need this level of capability but still want the sport-like design will find a winning combination with the GT-Line that leaves the turbocharged power and suspension upgrades to its more powerful sibling. With the GT boasting a new car sticker price of $22,490 in 2020, you can only imagine the incredible value the Forte GT offers on the Certified Pre-Owned lot.

A red 2020 Kia Forte is shown from the front at an angle on a coastal road.

2021 Forte

2021 was another excellent year for the Forte as the sedan took home a top honor from U.S. News & World Report as “Best Car for the Money.” Surprisingly, the 2021 Forte is a carryover model from 2020, so you won’t find any new features or amenities in the sedan. Instead, you can expect the same great style and expansive features to greet you in the driver’s seat.

2022 Forte

Shopping for a Certified Pre-Owned Forte means you can reap the benefits of the latest model. Completely redesigned for 2022, the Forte boasts an updated exterior and interior that introduces the sedan to a new generation of drivers. It also introduces more standard driver-assist technology, with the 15-feature suite offering Highway Driving Assist and Forward Collision Avoidance Technology. The Forte’s updated interior is most impressive, which includes an expansive 10.25-inch widescreen display that’s intuitive and incredibly responsive.

Shopping Smart With Kia

Investing in a Certified Pre-Owned Forte is exciting because of everything the sedan offers and the great lengths that Kia goes to ensure you have confidence in your purchase. The Forte is well-known as one of the most affordable in the segment because of its success in blending a capable and efficient powertrain with a long list of standard features, conveniences, and technology. These characteristics give the Forte a significant advantage, especially on the Certified Pre-Owned lot, where Kia stands behind its models every mile ahead.