2023 Kia Forte

The 2023 Kia Forte discontinues the six-speed manual transmission that was available in the entry LX trim level for 2022, with all models now coming with either of two variations of automatic transmission. The compact sedan was updated with refreshed styling and new features for 2022, and so is unchanged otherwise for the 2023 model year. It comes in six trim levels, including the sportier top-trim GT Limited with turbocharged engine. Kia provides a five-year/100,000-km comprehensive and powertrain warranty that covers almost everything on the vehicle. The Forte is also available in a hatchback version, known as the Forte5, which comes in only three trims equivalent to the Forte’s upper trim levels.

Performance

The 2023 Kia Forte’s five lower trim levels – the LX, EX, EX+, EX Premium, and GT-Line – use a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that makes 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT), but Kia prefers to call it an intelligent variable transmission, so you’ll see it listed as an IVT on the automaker’s website. The GT Limited exclusively uses a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder engine that makes 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which shifts faster and smoother than a conventional automatic. Both engines run on regular-grade gasoline.

Practicality

The Forte was redesigned in 2019 with more legroom and cargo capacity. The trunk offers 433 litres of cargo volume and the 60/40 rear seats fold for carrying longer items. Legroom and headroom are generous for the car’s size. All trim levels include heated front seats, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, minimum eight-inch infotainment screen with smartphone integration, and mandatory rearview camera, but the base LX lacks driver-assist safety technologies that are standard on all other trims, such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, and emergency front braking. The Forte receives the highest “Good” ratings in crash tests from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) only gives it a four-star crash-test rating, not five-star.

Canadian pricing

The 2023 Kia Forte LX starts at $20,395, an increase of $500 over the 2022 LX with CVT. The EX is $22,095; while the EX+ at $23,695 includes LED headlights and taillights, 17-inch wheels and sunroof; and the EX Premium at $27,395 further adds such features as dual-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, and pushbutton start. The GT-Line, at $27,395, includes LED fog lights, spoiler, heated and cooled front sport seats, heated rear seats, and 10.25-inch centre screen with navigation. In addition to the turbocharged engine, the GT Limited at $30,595 further adds 18-inch wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, and premium stereo.