2019 Kia Forte

Sedan · 2015–2024 · Forte, Forte5, Forte Koup

Trims and features

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

What changed for 2019

Starting prices: +$290 to +$890 (2 trims; hover for each)
New trim: FE
New trim: LXS
Trim dropped: LX
No longer offered: Forte5
Engine: 2.0L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 4-cylinder → 2.0L Multiport Injection (EX)
Trunk: 14.9 cu ft → 15.3 cu ft (EX, S)
Touchscreen: 7 in → 8 in (EX, S)
Seats: Leather → Synthetic Leather (EX)
Apple CarPlay: Wired → Not listed (EX, S)
Android Auto: Wired → Not listed (EX, S)
Engine: 2.0L Multi-point Injection (MPI) 4-cylinder → 2.0L Multiport Injection (S)
Climate zones: 1 → 2 (S)
Wheels: 16 in → 17 in (S)

2019 Forte trims

	EX	FE	LXS	S
Price
Starting MSRP	$21,990	from $17,790	$19,190	$20,290
Powertrain
Engine	2.0L Multiport Injection	2.0L Multiport Injection	2.0L Multiport Injection	2.0L Multiport Injection
Horsepower	147 hp	147 hp	147 hp	147 hp
Torque	132 lb-ft	132 lb-ft	132 lb-ft	132 lb-ft
Transmission	Intelligent Variable Transmission	IVT: Intelligent Variable Transmission 6-Speed Manual: 6-speed manual transmission	Intelligent Variable Transmission	Intelligent Variable Transmission
Gears	—	IVT: — 6-Speed Manual: 6	—	—
Drivetrain	Fwd	IVT / 6-Speed Manual	Fwd	Fwd
Fuel economy (combined)	—	IVT: 35 mpg 6-Speed Manual: 31 mpg	—	—
Size and capability
Seats	5	5	5	5
Trunk	15.3 cu ft	15.3 cu ft	15.3 cu ft	15.3 cu ft
Ground clearance	5.3 in	5.3 in	5.3 in	5.3 in
Length	182.7 in	182.7 in	182.7 in	182.7 in
Tech
Touchscreen	8 in	8 in	8 in	8 in
Apple CarPlay	Optional	—	—	—
Android Auto	Optional	—	—	—
Digital gauge cluster	3.5 in + option	3.5 in	3.5 in	3.5 in
Audio	Optional	—	—	—
Speakers	6 + option	4	4	6
Wireless phone charging	Optional	—	—	—
Driver assistance
Adaptive cruise control	Optional	—	—	—
Lane keeping	Lane Keep Assist	Lane Keep Assist	Lane Keep Assist	Lane Keep Assist
Blind-spot monitoring	Blind Spot Alert	—	—	—
Automatic emergency braking	Automatic Emergency Braking + option	Automatic Emergency Braking	Automatic Emergency Braking	Automatic Emergency Braking
Rear cross-traffic	Rear Cross-Traffic Alert	—	—	—
Parking sensors	Optional	—	—	—
Comfort
Seats	Synthetic Leather	Cloth	Cloth	Cloth
Heated seats	Front	—	—	—
Ventilated seats	Front	—	—	—
Climate zones	2	2	2	2
Exterior
Wheels	17 in + option	15 in	16 in	17 in

Packages and options (25)

	EX	FE	LXS	S
Paint Protection Package $200	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
S Premium Package $1,200	—	—	—	Optional
EX Launch Edition $3,210	Optional	—	—	—
Mud Guards $95	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Rear Bumper Appliqué $75	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Wheel Locks $55	Optional	—	Optional	Optional
Cargo Mat $95	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Cargo Net $50	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Cargo Tray $90	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Carpeted Floor Mats $130	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror with Compass and HomeLink $350	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Interior Lighting Kit $300	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Remote Start (Push-Button Start) $495	Optional	—	—	—
Trunk Cargo Hook $30	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Aurora Black $295	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Clear White	—	Optional	Optional	Optional
Currant Red $195	Optional	—	Optional	Optional
Deep Sea Blue	—	—	Optional	Optional
Fire Orange	Optional	—	—	—
Gravity Gray	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Silky Silver	—	—	Optional	Optional
Snow White $295	Optional	—	—	—
Black	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Gray	Optional	—	—	—
Red	Optional	—	—	—

Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Oem order guide, Other. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.

Apple lists CarPlay for: Forte 2017–2024 (Apple).

NHTSA crash ratings, recalls and complaints

Year	Version	Stars	Forward collision warning	Lane departure warning	Recalls	Complaints
2024	Kia Forte 4 DR FWD	4	Standard & Optional	Standard	0	25
2023	Kia Forte 4 DR FWD	4	Standard & Optional	Standard	3	63
2022	Kia Forte 4 DR FWD	4	Standard	Standard	1	27
2021	Kia Forte 4 DR FWD	4	Optional	Standard	2	68
2020	Kia Forte 4 DR FWD	4	Standard	No	0	76
2019	Kia Forte 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	2	147
2018	Kia Forte 4 DR FWD	5	Optional	Optional	3	136
2017	Kia Forte 4 DR FWD	5	No	No	3	303
2017	Kia Forte Koup 2 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	No	1	0
2016	Kia Forte 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	No	No	0	3
2016	Kia Forte 4 DR FWD	5	No	No	1	135
2016	Kia Forte Koup 2 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	No	1	137
2015	Kia Forte 4 DR FWD	5	No	No	1	260
2015	Kia Forte 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	No	No	1	260
2015	Kia Forte Koup 2 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	No	1	260

Source: NHTSA.

EPA fuel economy (combined mpg)

Year	EPA model	Engines	Combined
2024	Forte	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo	26–32
2024	Forte FE	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	34
2023	Forte	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo	26–32
2023	Forte FE	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	34
2022	Forte	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo	26–33
2022	Forte FE	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	35
2021	Forte	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo	28–33
2021	Forte FE	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	35
2020	Forte	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo	28–33
2020	Forte FE	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	35
2019	Forte	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	31–34
2019	Forte FE	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	35
2018	Forte	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	28–32
2018	Forte 5	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo	25–28
2017	Forte	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	28–32
2017	Forte 5	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo	25–28
2017	Forte Koup	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo	26–28
2016	Forte	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	28–30
2016	Forte 5	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo	24–28
2016	Forte Koup	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo	24–28
2015	Forte	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L	29–30
2015	Forte 5	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo	24–28
2015	Forte Koup	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo	24–28

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

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