Used 2019 Kia Forte for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2019 Kia Forte cost?

Prices have softened 6.42% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,054 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2019 Kia Forte a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a 5/5 owner-rated car with an expert score of 8.67/10. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the great gas mileage, comfortable ride, and strong value. The overview also points to a practical daily driver with room for passengers and useful trunk space, which makes it easy to live with if you want an affordable compact sedan that doesn’t ask for much compromise.

The market also looks supportive, with 27.8% of listings priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2019 Kia Forte reliable?

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

The owner summary points to a car that feels dependable in everyday use, with praise centered on its great gas mileage, comfortable ride, and overall value. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that the Forte is a strong daily driver with enough practicality to make ownership straightforward, and the cost-effectiveness notes reinforce that it delivers a lot of equipment for the money.

The maintenance and ownership picture is helped by the car’s value-focused positioning, but used buyers should still verify service history and condition carefully because long-term reliability depends heavily on how the previous owner maintained it.

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

At 56.5% 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 any signs of prior bodywork or uneven wear. Focus on condition details that matter in a compact sedan: interior wear, electronics, tire condition, and whether the car has been maintained consistently.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The FE trim comes with a lot for an entry-level model, including forward-collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist, while the LXS adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a chrome exhaust tip, soft-touch materials, and a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. The S trim adds LED head- and taillights, fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, navigation, and UVO e-services, while the EX adds heated and ventilated front seats, leatherette upholstery, and a 10-way power driver’s seat. If you want the best value, the LXS is the trim that adds useful everyday upgrades without jumping all the way to the top.
• 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, and you can get either a 6-speed manual or a CVT; the FE is the only trim that offers the manual, while the others come standard with the 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, and driver-attention warning. You can also get blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control, so check carefully whether a given listing has the extra driver-assistance features you want.
• Infotainment: The Forte comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and UVO e-services. The system is described as intuitive, and the physical buttons and tuning and volume dials make it easier to use day to day.
• Fuel efficiency: With the CVT, the Forte 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 entry point, but it still comes with a strong equipment list, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and dual-zone climate control. It makes sense if you want the lowest price and are comfortable with the most basic cabin presentation.
• LXS: This trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a chrome exhaust tip, soft-touch interior materials, and a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. It’s the best-value choice if you want a nicer-feeling Forte without paying for the more feature-heavy upper trims.
• S: The S brings LED lighting, fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, navigation, and UVO e-services. Choose this one if you want a more upscale look and more convenience tech than the LXS.
• EX: The EX is the most fully equipped trim, with heated and ventilated front seats, leatherette upholstery, a 10-way power driver’s seat, rear air-conditioning vents, and push-button start. It’s the right pick if you want the most comfort and convenience features.

Standard safety equipment includes forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning, while additional driver-assistance features are available on higher-spec listings.

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 and still find a decent deal.

• Deal availability: 27.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,054 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.42% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 56.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,642, 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 $11,706 sits slightly below last year's $12,510.

That price movement suggests the Forte has already absorbed some of its depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price today. Because the market is still showing meaningful inventory and a fair share of deal-priced listings, resale value will likely depend more on condition, mileage, and equipment than on model-year scarcity.

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

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. You can also add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control.

The safety package is especially notable because forward-collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist come standard, while some other driver-assistance features remain optional depending on trim and listing.

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:

• 27.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 56.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.42% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2019 is a completely redesigned Forte with a more upscale feel and strong value focus.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $13,057, the 2020 costs more than the current year's $11,706 average.
• The 2020 GT adds a turbocharged sport-sedan character with more enthusiast appeal.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.