Used 2019 Kia Forte for Sale nearSan Jose, CA

How much does the 2019 Kia Forte cost?

Prices have softened 8.85% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,089 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

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 the Forte for its safety features, great gas mileage, and comfortable ride. The overview also frames it as a practical daily driver with tremendous value, minimal compromise, and enough room for 4 or even 5 passengers.

That combination makes it a strong fit if you want an affordable compact sedan that still feels useful and well-rounded. With 31.9% of listings priced as good or great deals, the market still offers some attractive opportunities.

Is the 2019 Kia Forte reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a car that feels reliable, dependable, and trouble-free enough to earn repeat praise for everyday use. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that the Forte is built to be a practical daily driver with strong value and enough capability to handle routine commuting without drama.

The cost-effectiveness notes also reinforce ownership confidence 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 making sure the specific example you choose has been maintained well.

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

At 58.4% 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 signs of prior repair. Because the Forte is a value-focused compact car, condition matters a lot: a clean, well-kept example is more likely to deliver the ownership experience you want.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The FE comes with electric power side mirrors, remote keyless entry, forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, a 3.5-inch TFT information center, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The LXS adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a chrome exhaust tip, soft-touch 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, leatherette upholstery, a 10-way power driver’s seat, and more premium convenience features.
• Powertrain: Every Forte uses a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with front-wheel drive. You can get a 6-speed manual on the FE or a CVT, while the other trims use the CVT. The CVT is tuned for quick response and strong everyday drivability.
• 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 Forte uses an 8-inch UVO touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also keeps physical buttons and conventional tuning and volume dials, and UVO e-services adds roadside assistance, vehicle diagnostics, and parking-location help.
• Fuel efficiency: With the CVT, the Forte returns 30 mpg city, 40 highway, 34 combined. The FE with the manual returns 27/37/31, and 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 and still want standard driver-assistance tech, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a surprisingly complete feature set. It is the best-value trim for most shoppers who care most about price and core usefulness.
• LXS: This trim adds alloy wheels, a split-fold rear seat, soft-touch interior materials, and a few convenience upgrades, making it a smart step up if you want a nicer cabin without jumping too far in price.
• S: This is the better choice if you want more style and equipment, including LED lighting, fog lights, navigation, and UVO e-services. It suits you if you want a more polished feel and are willing to pay for it.
• EX: This is the most comfort-focused trim, with heated and ventilated front seats, leatherette upholstery, a power driver’s seat, and more premium convenience features. It makes sense if you want the most upscale Forte experience.

Standard safety equipment is already strong on the FE, so you do not need to move up a trim just to get the core driver-assistance features.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without rushing.

• Deal availability: 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,089 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.85% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 58.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,502, 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 $11,502 sits slightly below last year's $12,619.

That decline suggests the Forte has become more affordable for buyers, which can help demand from value-focused shoppers. For a future seller, that means pricing competitively will matter, especially if your car is not in especially clean condition.

The good news is that the Forte’s strong value story and broad appeal as a practical compact sedan should help it stay relevant with used-car shoppers. 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 a Top Safety Pick rating 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 include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control.

One thing to keep in mind is that some of the more advanced driver-assistance features are optional rather than standard, so you should confirm the exact equipment on any used listing you consider.

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:

• 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 58.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.85% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2019 was completely redesigned, giving it a more upscale feel and stronger standard safety content.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $12,902, the 2020 costs more than the current year's $11,502 average.
• It adds a turbocharged sport-sedan character and a more distinctive performance-oriented version.

The bottom line: If you want the better value proposition, the 2019 is the stronger buy because it combines a lower average price with strong owner satisfaction and a redesigned package. If you are willing to spend more for a sportier personality, the 2020 is the better secondary path.

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