Used 2017 Kia Forte for Sale nearTampa, FL

How much does the 2017 Kia Forte cost?

Prices have softened 8.65% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 725 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used examples to compare.

Is the 2017 Kia Forte a good car?

The 2017 Kia Forte is a solid pick if you want a refreshed compact sedan with a stronger feature set than its predecessor and a value-focused setup that still feels current. It earns 3.3/5 from users and 7.3/10 from our experts.

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

Kia’s updates for this year include a restyled front end, new lighting front and rear, a more efficient 2.0-liter engine, and more standard equipment across the lineup. That makes it a practical choice if you want a compact sedan that feels updated without stepping up to a larger or pricier vehicle.

28.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2017 Kia Forte reliable?

The 2017 Forte is presented as a well-updated compact sedan, and the expert review points to a car that benefits from Kia’s broad refresh and added standard equipment. The expert rating is 7.3/10, and the review also notes that Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been popular residents of reliability lists of late, alongside the brands’ warranty terms.

The updated 2.0-liter engine is described as a modest power increase over the old 1.8, with better efficiency and enough power for everyday driving. The cost-effectiveness commentary also points to special financing and lease incentives, which can help lower your ownership burden up front.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a neglected example could erase the value advantage, so condition and maintenance history matter a lot.

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

At 49.5% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been in a prior collision or has higher mileage. Pay close attention to bodywork quality, panel alignment, and how the car drives over rough pavement, since the review notes that the suspension can feel busy on broken surfaces.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX is light on equipment, while 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 drops the sport pretension but carries over the rest of the features, so you should compare equipment carefully if you want the best value.
• 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 the automatic-equipped version. The base LX manual drops to 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
• Safety package: The available 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. Those features are available above the base LX, so trim choice matters if safety tech is a priority.
• Infotainment: The base LX uses a 4.3-inch touchscreen, while S trims and above get a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Kia’s UVO infotainment system is described as simple and easy to use, and the EX adds an upgraded color LCD screen between the gauges.
• Fuel efficiency: The updated 2.0-liter engine is rated at 29 mpg city and 38 mpg highway, while the base LX manual is rated at 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.

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’s very bare-bones and even basic conveniences can cost extra. It makes sense only if you want the lowest purchase price and are comfortable giving up a lot of equipment.
• S: This is the best-value trim because it adds the features most shoppers will actually notice, including the 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the available safety tech package. It also gives the Forte a more complete feel without pushing the price too far.
• EX: This is the choice if you want the more upscale equipment and are willing to pay for it, including the available premium package items such as heated power seats, ventilation, HID headlights, and the upgraded display. It suits you best if comfort and convenience matter more than keeping the price down.

The safety systems are available in any trim above the base LX, so if you want the strongest mix of value and protection, the S is the trim to focus on.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and pricing softness to reward careful shopping.

• Deal availability: 28.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 725 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.65% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 49.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $8,647, 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 $8,648 sits slightly below last year's $9,467.

That decline suggests the Forte has become more affordable for used buyers, but it also means a future seller may need to price competitively to stand out. If you buy well now, you may have less room for appreciation later, so the best resale strategy is to choose a clean, well-kept example with desirable equipment.

Is the 2017 Kia Forte safe?

The Forte earns a five-star overall rating 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 driver-assistance 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. Those features are available above the base LX, so you’ll want to verify the trim and option package if safety tech is important to you.

The front-impact result is the main caveat to keep in mind, even though the overall safety picture is strong.

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:

• 28.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 49.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.65% compared with last year.
• For 2017, Kia’s refresh brought a restyled front end, new lights, a more efficient 2.0-liter engine, a sport trim, and more standard equipment across the lineup.

The bottom line: If you want the Forte with the most meaningful refresh-era updates, the 2017 model is the one to target. If your priority is simply the lowest possible purchase price, a nearby year may be worth comparing, but the 2017 gives you the stronger mix of updates, equipment, and value.

How does the 2017 Kia Forte compare to the 2017 Hyundai Elantra?

Our experts score the 2017 Kia Forte 7.3/10 and the 2017 Hyundai Elantra 8.8/10. The Elantra comes out ahead overall, but the Forte still offers a compelling value case thanks to its lower average used price and stronger deal share. The Forte also has a slightly better accident-free share in this comparison, while the Elantra brings broader appeal if you want the higher-rated choice.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.