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2017 Kia Forte Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Kia keeps chipping away at the compact competition with a monster of a mid-cycle refresh for the Forte.
In the extremely competitive compact sedan segment, the Forte has to deal with the Civic, the Mazda3, the Jetta and the Focus, just to name a few. Because of this, staying relevant means near-constant updates and improvements. For 2017, Kia has taken the Forte and restyled the front end, tossed in some new lights front and back, added a more efficient 2.0-liter engine and a sport trim, and made more features standard throughout the trim lineup.
7/10
With a reworked front end and new lights front and rear, the Forte presents a fresh face for the compact sedan segment. With fog lights pushed inward to make room for new air inlets at the side and headlights that now connect fully with the grille, the effect is immediately evident up front, if not transformative.
A starting price of $16,600 for an LX presents a very attractive entry point, but this can be slightly deceiving. Features normally considered expected, like an automatic transmission, will run you another $1000, while cruise, auto headlights, a 4.3-inch touchscreen with reversing camera and more will tack on another $900 through the Popular Package. Popular indeed, and most would be shocked to purchase a new car in 2017 and find it doesn’t come with cruise or auto headlights. Thankfully, the $900 package also adds upgraded upholstery and trim, an upgraded stereo and center armrests front and back, making a better case for an MSRP that jumps to $19,690 with these options plus destination.
Of course, this is already surpassing the new S trim’s $19,300 starting price. Here you’ll get 16-inch alloy wheels, selectable drive modes, a sport suspension, unique trim and upholstery, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That’s a great deal, though as we’ll discuss later, I’m not sure the sport suspension is what the Forte needs. A $1500 Technology Package piles on keyless entry and ignition with pushbutton start, rear LEDs, and LED turn signals integrated into the side mirrors, and most impressively, a suite of autonomous safety features including lane-departure warning and prevention, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a forward-collision warning system with auto brake and pedestrian detection.
To further outfit your S trim, you can also add the S Premium Package for another $2500, giving you a power sunroof, heated front seats with 10-way power and a memory system for the driver, navigation, and alloy pedals. Check all that and you’re sitting at $24,185, well beyond the EX’s $21,300 MSRP. This is the trim Kia provided for my review, which gets the carryover 2.0-liter engine as opposed to the “new” Nu Hyundai engine that powers the rest of the Forte lineup. The EX drops the sport pretension of the S trim but carries over the rest of its features. Here, the final options are grouped into a single package—the EX Premium Plus Package—which for $4490 will bring along all the safety features mentioned, plus the sunroof, heated power seats with added ventilation, HID headlights with “Dynamic Bending Light” to follow around corners, an auto-dimming rear-view, and a color LCD meter cluster. Check every box and you’re at $26,980 including destination—fully outfitted but skirting the purchase price of some of the segment’s more expensive entrants.
6/10
This year the Forte boasts an updated version of the 2.0-liter Hyundai Nu engine we’ve seen in numerous Hyundai and Kia applications for half a decade. With 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, it represents a modest power increase for the Forte over the old 1.8, but the big news is in efficiency. Three mpg better in the city coupled with 1 mpg gained during highway travel means the Forte gets a nice bump at the pump. EPA estimates put the new 2.0 at 29 mpg city and 38 highway for a combined rating of 32. If you go with the base LX, you can go with a manual transmission that will drop mileage ratings to 25/34 with 28 combined—a shocking departure from the automatic’s performance.
With the EX, Kia offers a carryover version of the old 2.0, delivering 164 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, but producing similarly abysmal fuel-economy numbers to the new 2.0 with the manual, with an additional 1 mpg penalty on the highway. Estimates of 25/33 would’ve been impressive 10 years ago, but today they leave you at the bottom of the pile.
Thankfully it provides enough oomph for the little Forte, never feeling particularly strained or overworked. It even has enough zip to encourage some speediness when the road gets curvy, but that’s where you can get into trouble. The suspension on the Forte ends up being a bit stiff when you’re pushing it hard or even going over broken surfaces at medium speeds. The rear gets especially busy over bumps, jumping left and right when encountering anything other than smooth roads through corners. It’s not worrisome in the regular trims, but with the sport suspension in the S, I’m worried that stiffer springs will only exacerbate the problem. That said, switch out the shocks for something with a bit more dampening, and you should have a competent little corner carver.
8/10
This is where the Forte shines. A 17.4-foot turning radius, ample interior space, and midsize-level trunk capacity all slot the Forte near the head of the pack, where often a model seems to excel in only one or two categories. For an easy example, the back seat here dwarfs that of the Mazda3 and the Focus, though both are more athletic than the Forte, but with 14.9 cubic feet in the trunk, it’s only the Civic’s 15.1 and the Jetta’s 15.7 that manage to do better.
It’s this “total package” quality that makes the Forte jump in the ratings for me. There are options in the segment that can do any one thing better than the Forte, but nearly all of them fail at another, still-important aspect. My one gripe is in how the trims and packages are laid out. Right now, the S seems the most attractive trim—able to tack on safety systems and luxury options if needed or wanted, while still well-equipped even without—but it’s the sport suspension that gives me pause. The EX is a great alternative, but it’s not the easiest pill to swallow given that it still comes with the carryover 2.0. Toss the new mill in there, and Kia has a winner.
7/10
A base LX Forte is about as technology free as allowed by government standards at this point—you have to pay for the relative privilege of a 4.3-inch touchscreen, which is smaller than most smartphones in 2017. But making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard for S trims and above is a smart move and one that keeps the Forte competitive.
Moreover, the 7-inch touchscreen and Kia’s UVO infotainment system are a pleasant combination, providing simple, easy connectivity with a classic, logical layout. The upgraded color LCD screen between the gauges in the EX is a nice touch, but hardly a game-changer if you’re choosing between trims.
What I love is that the safety systems here are available in any trim above the base LX. Personally I feel they should be available even at that level, but the S is a good place to start as well. I found the Kia’s safety systems less intrusive than on a lot of other manufacturer's offerings, though you’ll have to decide if that’s a good or bad thing, given the relative exchange rate of prevention to cure.
A couple of small caveats: The 4-speaker stereo in the base LX trim struggles with the job it’s supposed to do. The upgrade of the 2 additional speakers makes a difference at highway speeds, especially for conversation, though the Forte seemed surprisingly quiet even at 70 mph. Additionally, the directional headlights were a dubious upgrade at best, and I found it difficult to gauge the benefit of their crossing left and right as I went through turns. Test them out beforehand to see if you feel they’re worth the upgrade.
8/10
The Forte's wealth of available safety features is backed up by an impressive 60-0 stopping distance of 120 feet that puts it second in the segment. This is perhaps the most important statistic, especially for families. While blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic, forward-collision and lane-departure warning and prevention systems are nice, if the car can’t brake well, early warnings don’t help as much.
While the overall rating from the government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stands at 5 stars, it should be noted the Forte received a 4-star rating in overall front impact tests—a not uncommon result for the segment. Additionally, the EX’s software allows for teen driver notifications when speed, distance, or time limits are exceeded.
8/10
Load up your Forte and you’ll have to pay just as much as you would for some of its most expensive competitors, but you can get a very well-equipped Forte for under 20 grand, a stripper for under 17, and a sporty version with all the trimmings for under 25. What’s more, you’re not sacrificing anything other than your preconceptions when you do. After all, Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been popular residents of reliability lists of late, not to mention those manufacturers' legendary warranty terms.
Kia is currently offering a long list of special financing rates and lease cash incentives, up to 0% and $4000 depending on trim, and lasting until the end of October. If you’ve been thinking of checking out Kia in addition to the usual Honda/Ford/VW offerings, now seems a good time.
Published May 25, 2021 by Michael Perkins
User reviews for 2017 Kia Forte
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Darlens B
Oct 06, 2024
I need this one because i love this model Oct 06, 2024
by Perfect B
Sep 09, 2023
Perfect find. Smooth and safe ride, it’s the car for me! Sep 09, 2023
by Perfect B
Aug 29, 2023
The vehicle has good mileage and is in good shape. Aug 29, 2023
User rating:
by Darlens B
Oct 06, 2024
I need this one because i love this model Oct 06, 2024
by Perfect B
Sep 09, 2023
Perfect find. Smooth and safe ride, it’s the car for me! Sep 09, 2023
by Perfect B
Aug 29, 2023
The vehicle has good mileage and is in good shape. Aug 29, 2023
by Anonymous
Aug 02, 2023
This is my second Kia and it will be my last! Got the Forte and the dim lights stopped working, just like a LOT of other Fortes! So dangerous but no recall????????????????Aug 02, 2023
by J D
Oct 19, 2022
front bumper needs to be replaced and exhaust or intake issueOct 19, 2022
by Anonymous
Sep 08, 2022
OK car, but tail lights keep going out and a headlight just went out.Sep 08, 2022
by Anonymous
Feb 13, 2022
Missing cruise control and big hole in driver’s seat , which led us to think it wasn’t taken care of very well. Very basic car.Feb 13, 2022
by Allan K
Dec 21, 2021
Only things its missing is a backup camera and you can put digital mph on dashDec 21, 2021
by Anonymous
Oct 07, 2021
This car is garbage, everything is junk on it. The car is a money pit, I wouldnt give it any starsOct 07, 2021
by Lightnin B
Jul 04, 2021
Smooth ride and tons of gitty_up power. Very roomy inside. Handles well. Jul 04, 2021
by Bill D
Mar 02, 2021
Based, cruise control, Chevrolet Cruz, yes good value Mar 02, 2021
by Bridget K
Feb 15, 2021
Great value. Nice power for the size. Loaded with features. Feb 15, 2021
by Juan J
Jan 15, 2021
Its a good economical car with lots of good options for your buck, its a 4 cylinder but its peppy enough to do what you have to do on the freeway. Jan 15, 2021
by Ed d
Sep 03, 2020
So if you go with the forte and it says Apple car play or Android auto. Bring a cable and actually make sure! Ours said it and it didnt have it. We couldnt do a map upgrade and get it, cause our 2017 does not have navigation. If it did, the update wouldve worked.Sep 03, 2020
by Amanda H
Jul 05, 2020
Love the 2017 Forte! One of my favorites of all!Jul 05, 2020
What users have asked
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Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 2017 Kia Forte?Compare this car
2017 Kia Forte Pricing
Original MSRP
$16,600 to $21,300Price range
$9,327 to $10,116Average price on CG
$9,330YoY price change
$10,116 to $9,330Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 4
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: urethane · Steering wheel trim: urethane
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.33
Engine
Alternator: 90 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse · Solar-tinted glass: front
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: sunglasses holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.07
Engine
Alternator: 90 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: decklid · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low washer fluid
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse · Solar-tinted glass: rear
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: sunglasses holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.07
Engine
Alternator: 90 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color with chrome accents · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse · Solar-tinted glass: front