Used 2023 Kia Forte for Sale near North Carolina

How much does the 2023 Kia Forte cost?

Prices have softened 1.88% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,333 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2023 Kia Forte a good car?

Yes — the 2023 Kia Forte earns a 4.6/5 user rating and a 6.3/10 expert rating. The model scores 7/10 across Performance, Form and function, and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, impressive fuel economy, and comfortable ride. The user feedback also points to reliability and a fun-to-drive character, while the expert review reinforces that it gives you more for the money than many rivals.

The main trade-offs are a base engine that feels underwhelming and crash test scores that trail the class average. Even so, if you want an affordable compact sedan that still feels like a solid contender, the Forte fits that brief well.

The market also looks reasonably favorable, with 31.4% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2023 Kia Forte reliable?

Owners rate it 4.6/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback describes the Forte as reliable and notes that many owners feel good about its long-term dependability. The expert review also supports that impression by describing it as well-built and a solid choice in a competitive class.

Its value-focused positioning and generous warranty help reduce ownership anxiety, but the lower-than-average crash test results mean you should still pay close attention to condition and history on any used example.

What should I look for when buying a used 2023 Kia Forte?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has had multiple owners or higher mileage. Focus on overall condition, interior wear, and whether the equipment on the car matches the trim level you expect.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The GT trims add bold red accents and a more distinctive look, while the interior keeps an older layout with a touchscreen mounted atop the dash and traditional climate controls below. The GT models also use synthetic leather seat upholstery, which feels more substantial than the thinner coverings in some rivals.
• Powertrain: You get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and a CVT in the base setup, while the GT upgrades to a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 hp and either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or a six-speed manual. Front-wheel drive is the only drivetrain.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. The LXS trim can add blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic warning and a safe passenger exit system, while the GT-Line can add adaptive cruise control and pedestrian/cyclist detection.
• Infotainment: Supporting trims come with an 8-inch touchscreen, while the GT-Line and above get a 10.25-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and wireless charging starts at the GT-Line or higher.
• Fuel efficiency: The base LX is estimated at 34 mpg combined, other versions with the base powertrain are rated at 32 mpg combined, the automatic GT is estimated at 30 mpg combined, and the manual GT returns 26 mpg combined.

Which 2023 Kia Forte trim should I buy?

The 2023 Kia Forte is offered in 4 trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, GT.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the value-first choice if you want the lowest entry price and the best fuel economy in the lineup. It gives you the Forte’s core strengths without pushing you into pricier equipment.
• LXS: This is the trim to watch if you want a smart middle ground, since it opens the door to optional blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and a safe passenger exit system.
• GT-Line: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the larger 10.25-inch display, wireless charging, navigation, and a six-speaker audio system.
• GT: Choose this if you want the strongest performance, since it brings the 1.6-liter turbo engine, sport-tuned suspension, and either a dual-clutch automatic or a manual transmission.

The safety package starts with forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor, while higher trims add more advanced driver-assistance features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2023 Kia Forte?

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

• Deal availability: 31.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,333 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.88% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 81.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,490, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2023 Kia Forte's resale value?

The current average of $18,025 sits slightly below last year's $18,371.

That softer pricing suggests the Forte has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. If you purchase near the lower end of the range, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss when it comes time to sell.

The market still appears reasonably active, so a clean, well-equipped Forte should remain easy enough to move if you keep it in good condition. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.6/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2023 Kia Forte safe?

The 2023 Kia Forte earns four-star ratings for overall, frontal, side, and rollover protection from NHTSA, and the IIHS gave it a Poor result in the updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests.

It earns a 5/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard driver-assistance features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. The LXS trim can add blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic warning and a safe passenger exit system, while the GT-Line can add adaptive cruise control and pedestrian/cyclist detection. The Top GT trims make those features standard, along with rear parking proximity sensors.

The main caveat is that some base forward collision mitigation features do not meet the Administration’s performance criteria, so you should pay close attention to the exact equipment on any used example.

Should I buy a 2023 Kia Forte or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2023 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2023 if:

• 31.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.88% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines strong value with comfortable driving manners and an available manual transmission.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $16,196, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $18,025 average.
• It offers updated infotainment, driver assist, and collision avoidance systems.

The bottom line: If you want the better all-around shopping target, the 2023 is the stronger pick because it balances value, comfort, and a healthy used-car market. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2022 is the more budget-friendly alternative and still brings a lot of equipment for the money.

How does the 2023 Kia Forte compare to the 2023 Hyundai Elantra?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2023 Kia Forte:

• Pros: Excellent value for money, Comfortable, Manual transmission available.
• Cons: Lower-than-average crash test scores, Underwhelming base engine.

2023 Hyundai Elantra:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Easy-to-use technology, Excellent value for money.
• Cons: Potentially polarizing design.

Our experts score the 2023 Kia Forte 6.3/10 and the 2023 Hyundai Elantra 8.7/10. The Forte’s strengths are value, comfort, and the availability of a manual transmission, while the Elantra stands out for its broader powertrain lineup and easier-to-use technology. The Forte’s weaker crash test scores and underwhelming base engine are important drawbacks, especially next to the Elantra’s stronger overall expert score.

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