Used 2017 Kia Forte for Sale near South Carolina

How much does the 2017 Kia Forte cost?

Prices have softened 6.32% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 746 listings available, which gives you a workable pool to compare prices and equipment.

Is the 2017 Kia Forte a good car?

The 2017 Kia Forte is a solid value play if you want a refreshed compact sedan with more standard equipment and a more modern presentation than the outgoing version. It earns 3.25/5 from users and 7.33/10 from our experts.

The model scores 8/10 across Form and function, Cost effectiveness, and Safety.

Kia’s updates for this year focus on keeping the Forte competitive in a crowded compact-sedan segment, with a restyled front end, new lighting, a more efficient engine, and broader feature availability. That makes it especially relevant if you want practical transportation with a fresher feel and a stronger equipment story than a bare-bones commuter.

Good and great deals account for 27.6% of listings, so you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2017 Kia Forte reliable?

The 2017 Forte is presented as a practical, well-equipped compact sedan that benefits from Kia’s focus on keeping the car current and competitive. The expert evaluation also notes that Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been popular residents of reliability lists of late, alongside the brand’s warranty reputation.

The updated 2.0-liter engine is described as modestly stronger than the old 1.8-liter unit while also improving efficiency, and the car is said to provide enough power without feeling strained in normal driving. Kia also says the Forte’s safety systems are less intrusive than many rivals’ setups, which can make day-to-day use feel more natural.

For a used buyer, the main long-term risk is that a well-equipped example can be expensive to replace if you choose one with lots of options and higher mileage, so condition and maintenance history matter.

What should I look for when buying a used 2017 Kia Forte?

At 48.8% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-trim car with more equipment to verify. Pay close attention to bodywork, panel alignment, braking feel, and whether the electronics and driver-assistance features operate as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX is described as very light on technology, with a small 4.3-inch touchscreen and a stereo that struggles. The S adds 16-inch alloy wheels, selectable drive modes, a sport suspension, unique trim and upholstery, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX carries over the S’s features and adds more upscale equipment when optioned.
• Powertrain: The updated 2.0-liter engine makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, with EPA estimates of 29 mpg city and 38 mpg highway for 32 combined in automatic form. The base LX manual drops to 25/34 and 28 combined. The EX uses a carryover 2.0-liter with 164 hp and 151 lb-ft, but fuel economy falls to 25/33.
• Safety package: The available safety suite includes lane-departure warning and prevention, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with auto brake and pedestrian detection. The tech notes say these systems are available above the base LX, so you should confirm whether a specific car has them.
• Infotainment: The base LX gets a 4.3-inch touchscreen only if you pay extra, while S trims and above get standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 7-inch touchscreen and Kia’s UVO system are described as a strong combination, and the EX can add a color LCD gauge display.
• Fuel efficiency: The updated engine returns 29 mpg city and 38 mpg highway with 32 combined, while the LX manual is rated at 25/34 and 28 combined. The EX’s carryover engine is rated at 25/33.

Which 2017 Kia Forte trim should I buy?

The 2017 Kia Forte is offered in 3 trim levels: LX, S, EX.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, but it is very sparse unless you add packages. You get the lowest starting price, but you’ll want to check carefully for the optional equipment that makes it feel more complete.
• S: This is the best-value trim if you want the strongest mix of equipment and price. It adds the 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 16-inch alloy wheels, selectable drive modes, and a sport suspension.
• EX: This is the more upscale choice if you want the richer feature set and are willing to pay for it. It carries over the S’s core equipment and can be optioned with more comfort and convenience features.

The safety systems are available above the base LX, so if those matter to you, make sure the car you’re considering has the right package.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2017 Kia Forte?

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

• Deal availability: 27.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 746 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.32% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 48.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $8,797, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2017 Kia Forte's resale value?

The current average of $8,989 sits slightly below last year's $9,595.

That decline suggests the Forte has become a more approachable used buy than it was a year ago. If you’re planning to sell later, you should expect value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment because the market is already pricing in some softness.

For you, that means a clean, well-kept example can still make sense as a purchase, but you should be disciplined about what you pay. If you buy at the low end of the range and keep the car in good shape, you’ll be in a better position when it’s time to move on.

Is the 2017 Kia Forte safe?

The 2017 Kia Forte earns five-star ratings from NHTSA, though it received a four-star rating in overall front impact tests.

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

The available safety suite includes lane-departure warning and prevention, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with auto brake and pedestrian detection. Kia also notes that these systems are available above the base LX, so you should verify that a used example has the package you want.

The front-impact result is the main caveat to keep in mind, even though the overall government rating is strong. If safety is a top priority, you should focus on cars that have the full driver-assistance package and confirm that all systems are functioning properly.

Should I buy a 2017 Kia Forte or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2017 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2017 if:

• 27.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 48.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.32% compared with last year.
• Kia’s 2017 refresh brought a restyled front end, more standard features, a more efficient engine, and a sport trim, which makes this year feel more current than the outgoing version.

The bottom line: If you want the Forte with the freshest look and the strongest mix of value and equipment, the 2017 model is the one to target. If your priority is simply the lowest possible purchase price, you can also compare nearby years and focus on the cleanest, best-maintained example rather than chasing the newest badge alone.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.