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2021 Kia Forte
Sedan · 2015–2024 · Forte, Forte5, Forte Koup
Trims and features
What changed for 2021
- Starting prices: +$100 to +$1,000 (3 trims; hover for each)
- Engine: 2.0L Multi-Point Injection → 2.0L MPI Nu (EX, GT-Line, LXS, FE)
- Apple CarPlay: Wired → Not listed (all trims)
- Android Auto: Wired → Not listed (all trims)
- Engine: 1.6L Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection → 1.6L T-GDI Gamma (GT)
2021 Forte trims
| EX | FE | GT | GT-Line | LXS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||||
| Starting MSRP | $23,090 | $17,890 | $22,790 | $20,490 | $19,390 |
| Powertrain | |||||
| Engine | 2.0L MPI Nu | 2.0L MPI Nu | 1.6L T-GDI Gamma | 2.0L MPI Nu | 2.0L MPI Nu |
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 147 hp | 201 hp | 147 hp | 147 hp |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft | 195 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | Fwd | Fwd | Fwd | Fwd | Fwd |
| Size and capability | |||||
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Trunk | 15.3 cu ft | 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 | 5.3 in |
| Length | 182.7 in | 182.7 in | 182.7 in | 182.7 in | 182.7 in |
| Tech | |||||
| Touchscreen | 8 in | 8 in | 8 in | 8 in | 8 in |
| Digital gauge cluster | 3.5 in | 3.5 in | 3.5 in | 3.5 in | — |
| Audio | Harman Kardon | — | — | — | — |
| Speakers | — | 4 | 6 | 6 | — |
| Wireless phone charging | Qi | — | — | — | — |
| Driver assistance | |||||
| Lane keeping | Lane Keep Assist | Lane Keep Assist | Lane Keep Assist | Lane Keep Assist | Lane Keep Assist |
| Blind-spot monitoring | Blind Spot Alert | — | Blind Spot Alert | Blind Spot Alert | — |
| Automatic emergency braking | Automatic Emergency Braking | Automatic Emergency Braking | Automatic Emergency Braking | Automatic Emergency Braking | Automatic Emergency Braking |
| Rear cross-traffic | Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | — | — | Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | — |
| Comfort | |||||
| Seats | Synthetic Leather | Cloth | — | — | — |
| Heated seats | Front | — | — | — | — |
| Ventilated seats | Front | — | — | — | — |
| Climate zones | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| Exterior | |||||
| Wheels | 17 in | 15 in | 18 in | 17 in | — |
Packages and options (23)
| EX | FE | GT | GT-Line | LXS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GT-Line Premium Package $1,700 | — | — | — | Optional | — |
| Mud Guards $115 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Paint Protection Package $200 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Rear Bumper Appliqué $75 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Wheel Locks $60 | Optional | — | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Hook $30 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Mat $95 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Net $50 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Tray $115 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Carpeted Floor Mats $155 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror with Compass and HomeLink $350 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Interior Lighting Kit $300 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Aurora Black $295 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Clear White | — | Optional | — | Optional | Optional |
| Currant Red $295 | Optional | — | Optional | — | Optional |
| Deep Sea Blue | Optional | — | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Fire Orange | — | — | — | Optional | — |
| Gravity Gray | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Silky Silver | — | — | — | — | Optional |
| Snow White $295 | Optional | — | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Black | — | Optional | — | — | Optional |
| Black Sport Cloth with Red Stitching | — | — | Optional | — | — |
| Black Sport Cloth with White Stitching | — | — | — | Optional | — |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Nhtsa vin decode, Oem order guide, Oem order guide, Other, Other. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, 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.