The Kia Forte was completely redesigned for the 2019 model year, and it carries over into 2021 largely unchanged.

With its five available trims, Kia’s compact sedan really spans the range from economy to enthusiast vehicle. The base trim, FE, is shortest on frills but most affordable. LXS is a little more refined and adds some creature comforts. The GT-Line model gets sportier and gains some premium features, EX is the highest-end version in terms of luxury appointments, and GT is the real driver’s car.

The Kia Forte lineup comprises two different engines: a 2.0-liter inline-four that makes 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque is standard on FE, LXS, GT-Line, and EX trims, while a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four that makes 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque is standard on the top-of-the-line, performance-focused GT trim. Engine upgrades are not available for 2021.

Kia acknowledges the dichotomy of the stick-shift by making the 6-speed manual transmission standard on the FE, for cost savings, and optional on the GT, for a sporty driving experience. (Standard for the GT is a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission which is only available for this trim.) Kia’s i-VT continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard on LXS, GT-Line, and EX trims, and it’s an available upgrade for FE.

Each Kia Forte trim has a dedicated wheel style. While every other trim gets alloy wheels, the base FE gets 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps, no doubt as a further cost-saving measure. LXS Fortes get 16-inch machine-finish alloy wheels, GT-Line models’ wheels are 17 inches with a graphite finish, EXS trims’ are 17 inches with a machine finish, and GT trims’ are 18 inches with a machine-finish.

Variations continue inside. FE and LXS trims get cloth seats, while Kia adds leatherette side bolsters and contrast stitching for GT-Line and EXS. Forte GTs get artificial leather seats. A 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support is optional on GT-Line and GT and standard on EX. Heated and ventilated front seats are standard on EX and optional on GT. FE does not get the 60/40-split folding rear seats, but every other trim does. Dual-zone climate control is standard on the EX trim only.

The gearshift knob in the sportier GT-Line and GT trims is leather-wrapped, an upgrade over the PVC version found in other trims. A leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard in the top three trims, and for GT and GT-Line, it is sportily styled with a flat bottom.

An 8-inch touchscreen display with rear-view camera is standard in all Kia Fortes. A version that includes satellite radio and Kia’s UVO infotainment system is optional on GT-Line and standard on GT, and a version with HD Radio and Kia’s top-of-the-line UVO Link system, which includes navigation, is standard on EX. A 4-speaker sound system is standard on FE and LXS while a 6-speaker system is standard on GT-Line and up. An 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system is available as an optional upgrade for GT-Line and up.

Forward-collision warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning are all standard on every 2021 Kia Forte. Lane-change assist, blind-spot collision warning, and rear cross-traffic collision warning are standard on GT-Line trims and up (though some features are not compatible with the manual transmission that can be optioned on the GT trim). High-beam assist is standard for GT-Line, and parking distance warning – reverse, and smart cruise control are available options for that trim only.

The 2021 Kia Forte FE starts at $17,890. The LXS is priced from $19,390, GT-Line from $20,490, and EX from $23,090, and the range-topping Kia Forte GT starts at $22,790.