Synopsis
The 2023 Kia Forte is a lovely car with many features built to make your ride as clean and comfortable as possible. For a quick overview of the car, it has 201 horsepower, an option of two different engines, a sporty design, seats 5 passengers, and is sure to not disappoint.
Engine and Turbo Performance
One of the engines offered is a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower. The other option is a 1.6-liter engine that is turbocharged. It has four cylinders and 201 horsepower. Most people tend to purchase the 1.6-liter engine, but preferences vary. The turbocharged engine only needs 6.7 seconds to hit 60 mph and the non-turbocharged engine needs 8. Both engines are great choices, and you’ll have to weigh your options. Kia accommodated their customers to try to match their needs on engine preferences and performance. Sport-tuned multi-link rear suspension allows the car to flex more, meaning that the suspension can move more easily to conform to the varying angles of off-road driving. Sport-tuned dual exhaust helps the engine breathe and perform better. Overall the Kia Forte gives passengers a smooth and comfortable ride no matter the engine picked.
MPG
The Kia Forte was given an EPA rating of 41 mpg for highway driving, 30 mpg for city driving creating a combined fuel economy rating of 34 mpg. The EPA is a trusted government agency that determines the fuel economy usage and miles per gallon on American vehicles.
Interior
The interior of the Forte shows off a modest minimalist design but is put together with high-quality materials. Owners won’t have to worry about seat belts and seats ripping thanks to its design. It seats 5 comfortably and is ready for a family road trip or a quick getaway from town. Working up from the base model, dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats are optional. A sunroof is on display above and the overall vibe of the car gives off a “sporty” and fun vibe.
Infotainment
All cars except the GT model come with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen that users can connect their phones to. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are compatible with the car. The GT line comes with a larger screen, spanning 10.3 inches. This screen also includes in-dash navigation and a SiriusXM satellite radio. Some models come with a wireless smartphone charging station. All models are completed with a Harmon Kardon premium audio system with 8 speakers.
Safety
Kia is no amateur when it comes to the safety features of their cars. Adaptive cruise control corrects the distance behind the car in front of you. Whether you are too far behind or too close, the Kia will adjust the speed of the cruise control. The navigation features help the car predict upcoming curves and turns, slowing down accordingly for those changes in the road. Most cars nowadays have standard forward collision warning and the Forte is no exception to this. When you do not stop in time for an impending crash, the car will automatically use the brakes. Standard lane departure assist alerts the driver to any obstacles when you are changing lanes. Lane keep assist alerts the driver when a car is noticeably moving outside of the lane. Blind spot detection warns the driver when there is an object in their blind spot. LED headlights with high beam assist and LED fog lights also assist the driver to stay safe.
IIHS Rating
IIHS stands for Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This organization crash tests cars to determine how well-protected the driver is in the event of an accident. The Kia Forte scores a “good” rating in all of these categories:
- Moderate overlap front test
- Rear crash protection
- Roof strength test
- Small overlap front driver test
- Small overlap front passenger test
The Forte received a “superior” rating for the front crash prevention.
Kia Connect
Kia connect gives drivers access to their car from their phones. If they have an Apple Watch with their phone, starting the car via watch is also an available feature. When you pair your smartwatch to your mobile device with the Kia Access app, you can send remote commands to your car. If you forgot where you parked, your phone will locate the car and give you directions. This saves you the time of walking around the city and wandering around the parking lot. If you are still getting ready to leave the house or packing up from work, you have the option to heat or cool your car so it is the perfect temperature when you enter it. If you happen to leave a child or pet in the car, sensors detect movement after the car is locked. You will be alerted on your phone that there is movement in your car. And for those people who often lock their keys in their car or can never find where they placed them, Kia Connect allows you to lock and unlock your car from your smartphone.
Color Options
The 2023 model comes with 9 color options for the exterior.
- Gravity Gray
- Steel Gray
- Clear White
- Snow White Pearl
- Aurora Black (+ $295)
- Sporty Blue
- Deep Sea Blue
- Currant Red
- Fire Orange
Customers are provided with 6 interior color options.
- Black Woven Cloth Seat Trim
- Gray Woven Cloth Seat Trim
- Black Cloth and SynTex Seat Trim with Gray Stitching
- Black Cloth and SynTex Seat Trim with Red Stitching
- Black SynTex Seat Trim with Gray Stitching
- Black SynTex Seat Trim with Red Stitching
Conclusion
The 2023 Kia Forte is an exceptional car with that a price that’s affordable. The 5 passengers are seated comfortably with lots of space. Its trunk is very sizable. The trunk will fit 7 carry-on bags, which is 1 more than rival cars. The four cylinder engine provides excellent fuel economy, making it so drivers will be spending less on gas. The fuel economy is a great strength of the Forte. The base LX model is priced at $19,490 and the most expensive GT Manual model is priced at $24,890. The safety of the passengers in the car is proven by the IIHS to be good and the infotainment is accommodating to its passengers. If you’re looking for a Kia Forte in Orange County, or aren’t sure what you’re looking for please count on Mission Viejo Kia. We have a large inventory of new Kia and used Kia vehicles, as well as offer Kia service to Orange County and beyond.