How much does the 2019 Kia Forte cost?

Prices have softened 7.85% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,046 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $11,635.35, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2019 Kia Forte a good car?

Yes — the 2019 Kia Forte earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its safety features, great gas mileage, and comfortable ride. They also describe it as a strong value, especially versus pricier alternatives, while the overview frames it as a compact sedan that works well as a daily driver with room for 4 or even 5 passengers and useful trunk space.

That combination makes it a practical fit if you want an affordable small sedan that still feels modern and easy to live with. It also shows 23.0% good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

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 repeated praise for the car’s value, gas mileage, and comfortable ride. The expert evaluation also describes the Forte as a serious everyday choice that delivers impressive performance and strong efficiency without asking you to give up much in return.

Kia’s cost-effectiveness notes also reinforce the ownership appeal by showing that the Forte undercuts several rivals while offering a lot of content for the money. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the car’s core appeal and more about finding one that has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by prior use.

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

At 54.9% 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 careful inspection of body panels, paint consistency, and any signs of prior repair. Because the model is positioned as a value-focused daily driver, condition matters a lot: a clean, well-kept example is more likely to deliver the low-stress ownership experience you want.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The FE comes with a lot for an entry-level trim, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, an 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The LXS adds alloy wheels, soft-touch materials, and a split-fold rear seat, while the S brings LED lighting, fog lights, navigation, and UVO e-services. The EX adds heated and ventilated front seats, a power driver’s seat, and other comfort upgrades.
• Powertrain: All trims use 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 depending on trim.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. Available upgrades include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control.
• Infotainment: The Forte comes standard with an 8-inch UVO touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a straightforward interface with physical controls. UVO e-services adds roadside assistance, vehicle diagnostics, and a parking reminder feature.
• Fuel efficiency: With the CVT, it returns 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined. The FE with the manual is rated at 27/37/31, and the FE with the CVT is the most efficient setup 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, EX.

Here's the short version:

• FE: This is the value play if you want the lowest entry price and still want standard driver-assistance tech, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a lot of everyday usability. It is the best-value trim if you care most about getting the most equipment for the least money.
• LXS: This trim adds alloy wheels, soft-touch interior materials, and a split-fold rear seat, which makes it a smart step up if you want a more polished feel without jumping too far in price.
• S: This is the better choice if you want more style and convenience, since it adds LED lighting, fog lights, navigation, and UVO e-services.
• EX: This is the comfort-focused pick, with heated and ventilated front seats, a power driver’s seat, and other upscale touches that make it the most premium-feeling version.

The standard safety package already includes forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning, so even the lower trims start with a strong safety foundation.

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

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

• Deal availability: 23.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,046 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.85% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 54.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,635.35, 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 $11,759 sits slightly below last year's $12,760.

That price movement suggests the Forte has softened enough to create a more buyer-friendly used market, but not so sharply that it looks distressed. For a future seller, that can mean you should expect steady demand rather than a dramatic premium, especially if your car is clean and well equipped.

The Forte’s strong value reputation and high owner satisfaction should help support interest when it’s time to resell. Well-kept examples with desirable features are likely to remain easier to move than neglected ones.

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?

It earns Top Safety Pick recognition from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA.

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

The Forte comes standard with forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. It also includes a reversing camera, traction control, and front- and side-impact airbags. Available upgrades add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control.

That standard safety content is a major strength, especially because you get meaningful driver-assistance tech without having to move up to a higher trim. If you want the most complete safety setup, look for a well-equipped trim with the available assistance features.

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:

• 23.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 54.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.85% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2019 is the year the Forte was completely redesigned, giving you the fresh-generation model with strong value, standard driver-assistance tech, and a more upscale feel.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $12,901, the 2020 costs more than the current year's $11,759 average.
• It adds a turbocharged Forte GT that is described as terrific fun to drive.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of price, standard safety tech, and everyday usefulness, 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 you.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.