Used 2019 Kia Forte for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2019 Kia Forte cost?

Prices have softened 6.63% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 1,045 listings available, you have a solid amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2019 Kia Forte a good car?

Yes — owners give it 5/5, and our experts rate it 8.67/10. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the Forte for its great gas mileage, comfortable ride, and strong value. The model also earns credit for its impressive safety features and for feeling like a more upscale, sportier compact sedan than the Forte’s earlier reputation suggested.

For daily driving, the Forte makes sense if you want a practical compact sedan with room for 4 or even 5 passengers and enough trunk space for several bags. It also stands out as an efficient, affordable alternative to a crossover.

With 29.4% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s still meaningful value in the market.

Is the 2019 Kia Forte reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with many drivers saying they feel good about the car’s long-term value. The expert evaluation also supports that impression by describing the Forte as a strong daily driver that asks for minimal compromise.

On the ownership side, the Forte’s value-focused positioning and standard equipment help reduce the sense that you need to spend extra just to get a well-rounded car. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure a previous owner didn’t cut corners on maintenance or overlook wear items.

What should I look for when buying a used 2019 Kia Forte?

At 56.9% 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 had bodywork or multiple owners. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior repair quality, and whether the car’s equipment and driver-assistance features work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The FE comes with a strong list of standard features for an entry-level trim, including forward-collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist, plus an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The LXS adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a chrome exhaust tip, soft-touch interior materials, and a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. The S adds LED head- and taillights, fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, navigation, and UVO e-services. The EX adds heated and ventilated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat, leatherette upholstery, and other comfort upgrades.
• Powertrain: Every Forte uses a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive. Output is 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, with either a 6-speed manual or a CVT. The CVT is tuned to respond well and helps the car feel quick off the line.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, a reversing camera, traction control, and front- and side-impact airbags. Available upgrades include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control.
• Infotainment: The standard 8-inch UVO touchscreen is paired with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system is described as intuitive, with physical buttons and conventional tuning and volume dials that make it easy to use.
• Fuel efficiency: With the CVT, the Forte returns 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined. The FE with the CVT is the most efficient configuration at 31/41/35.

Which 2019 Kia Forte trim should I buy?

The 2019 Kia Forte is offered in 4 trim levels: FE, LXS, S, and EX.

Here's the short version:

• FE: This is the value play if you want the lowest entry price without giving up important safety and tech. It already includes forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, an 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and dual-zone climate control, so it’s the best-value trim for most shoppers.
• LXS: This trim is the step up if you want a little more polish, thanks to 16-inch alloy wheels, soft-touch cabin materials, and a 60/40 split-fold rear seat. It makes sense if you want a nicer-feeling interior without jumping too far in price.
• S: This is the right pick if you want more style and convenience, since it adds LED lighting, fog lights, navigation, and UVO e-services. It’s the trim to consider if you want the Forte to feel more fully equipped.
• EX: This is the comfort-focused choice, with heated and ventilated front seats, a power driver’s seat, leatherette upholstery, and other upscale touches. It’s the one to buy if you want the most premium-feeling Forte.

The safety package is especially notable because forward-collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist are standard even on the base FE.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2019 Kia Forte?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on a strong listing.

• Deal availability: 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,045 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.63% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 56.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,639, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2019 Kia Forte's resale value?

The current average of $11,639 sits slightly below last year's $12,465.

That softer pricing suggests the Forte is already in a buyer-friendly part of its depreciation curve. If you buy well now, you may be starting from a relatively favorable entry point compared with where the car was priced a year ago.

For a future seller, that means resale value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment level. Well-kept examples with desirable features should be easier to move than rougher cars, especially because the Forte’s value proposition is a major part of its appeal.

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

Is the 2019 Kia Forte safe?

The 2019 Kia Forte earns strong safety marks from our experts and stands out for offering standard driver-assistance tech that many rivals reserve for higher trims.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety equipment includes forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, a reversing camera, traction control, and front- and side-impact airbags. Available upgrades include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control.

One important strength is that forward-collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist are standard, which gives even base-trim shoppers meaningful active-safety coverage.

Should I buy a 2019 Kia Forte or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2019 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2019 if:

• 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 56.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.63% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It was completely redesigned for 2019, giving you the newer-generation Forte with a more upscale feel and strong standard safety tech.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $13,032, the 2020 costs more than the current year's $11,639 average.
• The 2020 adds a turbocharged GT option with a more enthusiast-focused driving character.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of price, standard safety tech, and everyday value, the 2019 is the smarter buy. If you’re willing to spend more for a sportier driving experience, the 2020 is the better path for price-insensitive shoppers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.