2018 Kia Forte Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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For 2018, Kia’s compact sedan gets some added standard features, making a great automotive value an even better deal. This comes after a very ambitious mid-cycle refresh in 2017; Kia wasn’t done with its little compact sedan. That’s the attitude to have when you want to stay relevant in this competitive segment. Going up against rivals like the Honda Civic, the Mazda MAZDA3, and the Volkswagen Jetta means Kia won't rest on its on laurels.
Trims available for the 2018 Kia Forte include LX, S, and EX. For 2018, buyers will see new standard features like cruise control included in the base LX trim. If drivers opt for the the Popular Package, they will get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Move up to the Popular Package Plus, and you’ll be treated to a new alloy-wheel design, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and LED tail lights. The sporty S trim gets a new 16-inch wheel as well as a sunroof, if they opt for the Technology package. Finally, the top-tier EX trim adds standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic and lane-change assist, which alerts you when cars are approaching in an adjacent lane. Finally, every trim gets body-color door handles. The EX additionally gets chrome trim on the handles.
LX and S trims are powered by a 2.0-liter engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed manual comes standard on the LX. A 6-speed automatic comes standard on the other trims. The automatic is able to deliver 29 city mpg and 37 highway mpg. The manual drops a few mpgs, offering an EPA-estimated 25 city and 34 highway. Move up to the top-tier EX trim and you’ll get a more powerful 2.0-liter engine. It's good for 164 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque with an EPA-estimated 25 city mpg and 33 highway; it makes you wonder if the power upgrade is worth the efficiency penalty.
The base LX enjoys some features you wouldn’t expect at this level: heated mirrors, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, satellite radio, and a height-adjustable driver’s seat. Many drivers will opt for the Popular package to get automatic headlights, cruise control, 7-inch touchscreen with reversing camera, an upgraded 6-speaker stereo, upgraded upholstery, and upgraded interior trim.
For a more exhilarating experience, the S trim offers a sport-tuned suspension, along with other goodies like a rear spoiler, LED running lights, chrome exhaust tip, and adjustable drive modes. There’s also an interior trim with block cloth and white contrast stitch, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The Technology package adds LED tail lights, fog lights, a sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, and a small host of safety technology like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning and intervention, and automatic emergency braking.
Finally, the EX includes the the fog lights, LED tail lights, and keyless entry and ignition from the S trim and adds 17-inch alloys, ambient interior lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats with rear-set venting, leather upholstery and LED turn-signal indicators on the side mirrors. The Premium Plus package is a popular choice; it includes the sunroof, power driver's seat with a memory system, ventilation for both front seats, navigation, adaptive xenon headlights, and a forward-collision warning system with automatic braking.
With such a variety of features and applications, the Forte has been chipping away at class leaders. For anyone in the market for a compact sedan, the Forte should be on your list of cars to test.
User reviews for 2018 Kia Forte
Write a review2018 Kia Forte Pricing
Trims & 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: mast · 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
Door sill trim: scuff plate · 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: accessory hook · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.07
Engine
Alternator: 90 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
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 fuel 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 · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · 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
Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: urethane · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · 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): two 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.07
Engine
Alternator: 90 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
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
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low washer fluid
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: Halogen
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: 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
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · 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
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: 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
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: urethane · 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: 2 · 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 · Battery: maintenance-free
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 · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · 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: manual folding · 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 · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · 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 · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · 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
