Used 2014 Kia Forte for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2014 Kia Forte cost?

Prices have softened 5.60% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 243 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2014 Kia Forte a good car?

Yes — the 2014 Kia Forte earns a 4.6/5 user rating and a 7.83/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise its reliability, fuel efficiency, and comfort, and they also call out the spacious trunk as a practical advantage. That lines up with the Forte’s role as a compact car that gives you style, space, efficiency, and in-car tech without feeling overcomplicated.

The market also shows 25.1% good or great deals, so you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2014 Kia Forte reliable?

Owners rate it 4.6/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback repeatedly points to reliability, and the car is also described as a practical choice that many drivers would recommend as a great first car. The expert evaluation reinforces that dependable, everyday-use character by emphasizing the Forte’s broad competence as a small car rather than any finicky or high-strung behavior.

The Forte’s maintenance and ownership story should still be checked carefully on any used example, especially because a lightweight feel can sometimes go along with more wear-sensitive impressions over time.

What should I look for when buying a used 2014 Kia Forte?

At 52.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection is especially worthwhile if you’re comparing multiple listings, since condition can vary a lot even within the same model year. Focus on signs of wear, repair quality, and whether the car still feels tight and well sorted on the road.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is the value-oriented starting point, while the EX adds a more upscale cabin, faux carbon-fiber trim, and leather seats that make the interior feel more polished.
• Powertrain: The LX uses a 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder with 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque, while the EX upgrades to a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 173 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes front impact and side curtain airbags, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, braking assist, hill assist control, electronic brakeforce distribution, front and rear crumple zones, side-impact door beams, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
• Infotainment: Bluetooth is standard, and the UVO infotainment system is standard on the EX but unavailable on the LX.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.8-liter engine returns 25 mpg city/37 highway with the manual transmission and 25/36 with the automatic, while the 2.0-liter EX achieves 24/36.

Which 2014 Kia Forte trim should I buy?

The 2014 Kia Forte is offered in 2 trim levels: LX and EX.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the budget-friendly choice if you want the lowest entry price and can live without the extra tech and upscale touches. It gives you the core Forte experience, but it skips the UVO infotainment system.
• EX: This is the best-value trim if you want the stronger 2.0-liter engine, standard UVO, and a more polished cabin with leather seats and additional interior flair.

The EX is the trim that best captures the Forte’s strengths, especially if you want the more complete feature set without moving into a much pricier car.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2014 Kia Forte?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find decent value.

• Deal availability: 25.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 243 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.60% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 52.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $6,467, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2014 Kia Forte's resale value?

The current average of $6,549 sits slightly below last year's $6,937.

That softer pricing suggests the Forte has become more accessible for buyers, but it also means a future seller may need to price competitively to stand out. If you buy well now, you may have a better chance of limiting depreciation pressure later. The model’s practical appeal and strong owner satisfaction should help support demand, especially among shoppers looking for an affordable compact car.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.6/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2014 Kia Forte safe?

The 2014 Kia Forte earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, with Good ratings for side impact, roof strength, and moderate frontal offset tests, but a Poor rating for small-overlap frontal offset crashes.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety equipment includes front impact and side curtain airbags, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, braking assist, hill assist control, electronic brakeforce distribution, front and rear crumple zones, side-impact door beams, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The standout caveat is the Poor small-overlap result, so you should pay close attention to crash history and repair quality when shopping used.

Should I buy a 2014 Kia Forte or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2014 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2014 if:

• 25.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 52.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.60% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2014 brings a much more complete design, with style, space, efficiency, and in-car tech that put it near the top of the small-car class.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $7,139, the 2015 costs more than the current year's $6,549 average.
• It adds more available equipment and a broader range of features.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2014 is the smarter buy because it combines a lower average price with strong owner satisfaction and solid everyday usefulness. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model with more available equipment, the 2015 is worth a look, but price-sensitive shoppers should focus on the 2014.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.