How much does the 2022 Kia Forte cost?

Prices have softened 5.35% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,377 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable selection to compare.

If you find a listing below $16,629.43, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2022 Kia Forte a good car?

Yes — the 2022 Kia Forte earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

The Forte’s appeal is rooted in its value-focused mission: it aims to give you modern equipment without pushing into a higher price bracket, and it adds sharper styling plus updated infotainment, driver-assist, and collision-avoidance systems. It is also described as spacious, which makes it a practical daily driver if you want compact-car pricing with a roomier feel.

The trade-offs are clear: the base engine is underwhelming, and the car is noisy. Those drawbacks matter most if you want a quiet commute or stronger acceleration.

Even so, the Forte’s mix of modern tech and everyday usability makes it easy to consider if you want a budget-conscious compact sedan with more equipment than you might expect. 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2022 Kia Forte reliable?

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

The Forte’s reliability case is helped by its long warranty coverage and its value-oriented design. The car is presented as a good value, and the available equipment is aimed at making ownership feel straightforward and well supported. Its performance side is also described as generally competent for daily driving, especially in GT form, where it works well as a commuter and family hauler.

Kia also includes a one-year complimentary trial subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services on selected models, which adds some ownership convenience. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the car’s weaker base powertrain and noisy character may make it feel less satisfying over time if you prioritize refinement.

What should I look for when buying a used 2022 Kia Forte?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the brakes, tires, and any signs of uneven wear or prior bodywork. It also helps to compare trim equipment closely, since the Forte’s feature set changes meaningfully by version.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: FE and LXS get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the 8-inch touchscreen, while GT-Line and GT move to a larger 10.25-inch display but require a cable for smartphone mirroring. Base trims also use halogen headlights, while the GT gets brighter LED headlights.
• Powertrain: Most trims use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The GT uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft, plus either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
• Safety package: Kia Drive Wise includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. GT-Line and GT add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with rear automatic braking, and Safe Exit Warning.
• Infotainment: The FE and LXS use an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. GT-Line and GT get a 10.25-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM, voice recognition, Kia Connect connected services, remote engine starting, remote climate preconditioning, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and a find-my-car feature.
• Fuel efficiency: The FE is rated at 35 mpg in combined driving and up to 41 mpg on the highway. The LXS and GT-Line are rated at 33 mpg combined. The GT is rated at 26 mpg combined with the manual transmission and 30 mpg combined with the DCT.

Which 2022 Kia Forte trim should I buy?

The 2022 Kia Forte is offered in 4 trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The FE is the efficiency-first choice, but it uses halogen headlights and lacks the richer feature set of the higher trims.
• Sweet-spot trim: The LXS is the version that gives you everything you need, and nothing you don’t, while still keeping wireless smartphone connectivity and a practical equipment mix.
• Premium/top trim: The GT is the most compelling if you want the strongest performance, the most distinctive styling, and the most complete feature set.
• Off-road trim: The GT is not the right pick if you want a quiet, comfort-first daily driver, since its firmer setup and added performance focus bring more noise and ride trade-offs.

GT-Line and GT add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with rear automatic braking, and Safe Exit Warning.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2022 Kia Forte?

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

• Deal availability: 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,377 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.35% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,629.43, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2022 Kia Forte's resale value?

The current average of $17,363 sits slightly below last year's $18,343.

That price movement suggests the Forte has softened enough to create a more approachable entry point for used buyers. For a future seller, that can mean you may not see rapid appreciation, but it also indicates the market is still willing to support a reasonable asking price if the car is clean and well equipped.

The Forte’s value story is still helped by its broad appeal: it is spacious, tech-forward, and positioned as a practical daily driver. If you buy well now, you should have a decent chance of holding onto demand later, especially for cleaner examples with desirable equipment.

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 2022 Kia Forte safe?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the 2022 Forte a four-star overall crash protection rating. In addition to a three-star frontal impact rating for the front passenger, the NHTSA found an issue related to elevated potential for rear passenger injury in a side impact, resulting in a lower overall score.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Across all trim levels, standard Kia Drive Wise equipment includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. GT-Line and GT add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with rear automatic braking, and Safe Exit Warning.

You can also get navigation-linked adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, speed reduction for curves, and Highway Driving Assist. The IIHS gives the Forte’s crashworthiness and driving assist systems high marks, though testing remains incomplete for the revised LED headlights on the GT.

Should I buy a 2022 Kia Forte or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2022 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2022 if:

• 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.35% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Kia updated it with sharper styling and new infotainment, driver assist, and collision avoidance systems.

Consider the 2023 if:

• At $18,767, the 2023 costs more than the current year's $17,363 average.
• It offers strong value with more everyday refinement.

The bottom line: If you want the better bargain, the 2022 is the smarter starting point because pricing has eased and the car already brings a strong mix of space, tech, and value. If you are willing to spend more for a newer model-year alternative, the 2023 is worth a look, but price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2022’s softer market and broader deal availability.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.