Used 2014 Kia Forte for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2014 Kia Forte cost?

Prices have softened 6.50% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 257 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable selection 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 like the spacious trunk. That lines up well with the Forte’s everyday mission as a practical small car that feels more polished than a basic commuter. The overall package is especially appealing if you want style, space, efficiency, and in-car tech in one affordable sedan.

24.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2014 Kia Forte reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to reliability, fuel efficiency, and comfort as recurring strengths, and it also describes the Forte as a practical choice with a spacious trunk. The expert evaluation reinforces that it is a more complete and competitive small car than the earlier version, which supports the idea that it is built to serve as a dependable daily driver. Kia also emphasizes a long warranty and software-update capability for the infotainment system, which can help with ownership confidence.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a lightweight feel and prior wear can make condition differences more noticeable, so maintenance history matters.

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

At 54.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a careful inspection of body panels, alignment, and signs of prior repair. Because the Forte’s owner feedback highlights comfort and reliability, condition should be your main focus: a clean, well-kept example is more likely to deliver the ownership experience you want. It is also worth checking that the car’s tech and safety equipment work as expected, since those features are part of the Forte’s appeal.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is the simpler, lower-featured version, while the EX adds a more upscale interior feel, faux carbon-fiber inserts, leather seats, and a more polished cabin presentation. If you want the best value, the EX stands out because it adds the stronger engine and more equipment without pushing the car into luxury-car pricing.
• Powertrain: The LX uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque, while the EX upgrades to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 173 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque. The stronger engine makes highway passing easier, and fuel economy remains competitive.
• Safety package: The Forte 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. Base-trim shoppers should confirm the equipment they want is present.
• Infotainment: UVO is standard on the EX but unavailable on the LX. The system uses a vibrant color touchscreen, supports voice commands, and can receive software updates over time.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.8-liter engine returns 25 mpg city/37 highway with the manual transmission and 25/36 with the automatic. The 2.0-liter EX is rated at 24/36, or 27.8 mpg combined.

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 value-focused choice if you want the lowest entry price and are comfortable with the simpler 1.8-liter engine and fewer tech features. It makes sense if your priority is basic transportation and you want to keep purchase costs down.
• EX: This is the better all-around pick because it adds the stronger 2.0-liter engine, UVO infotainment, and a more upscale cabin with leather seats and nicer interior details. If you want the best balance of comfort, equipment, and everyday drivability, this is the trim to target.

The safety equipment list is broad across the lineup, but you should still verify the exact features on any used example.

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 worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 24.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 257 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.50% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 54.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $6,428, 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 $6,428 sits slightly below last year's $6,875.

That decline suggests the Forte has become more affordable for buyers, which can make it easier to move if you decide to sell later. For you as an owner, the softer pricing also means the market is currently valuing this model year more conservatively than it did a year ago. If you keep the car in clean condition and maintain it well, you can help offset some of that downward pressure.

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 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.

The Forte comes with a broad safety suite that 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 main caveat is the poor small-overlap result, so you should pay close attention to crash history and front-end 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:

• 24.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 54.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.50% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2014 is a more complete and competitive small car than its predecessor.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $7,169, the 2015 costs more than the current year's $6,428 average.
• It offers more available equipment if you are willing to spend more.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2014 is the smarter starting point because pricing has softened and owner satisfaction is strong. If you are willing to pay more for a newer model year with a broader equipment story, the 2015 is worth a look, but price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2014 first.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.