2024 Kia Forte Release Date, Changes, Colors – The Forte offers a large cargo area and seating for five passengers, but it is not a crossover. It competes with automobiles such as the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic, and Toyota Corolla, which have managed to survive the SUV onslaught. The Forte’s windshield angle and wheelbase are reminiscent of the larger Stinger.
The new nose, with its slimmer headlights and reworked bumpers, takes the next step; they include a multitude of lines without seeming cluttered or tacky. The 2024 Kia Forte plainer flanks and decklid are adorned with a little spoiler and nicer taillights to enhance its standard economy car design. GT variants receive large wheels and black trim elements.
2024 Kia Forte Redesign
In the Forte’s cockpit, an 8.0-inch touchscreen is mounted atop a dash with a sleek design, pleasantly simple temperature settings, and elegant circular vents. The FE models have a greater proportion of hard plastic and fabric upholstery, whilst all other models are adorned with soft-touch materials and matte metallic accents. The GT-Line and GT Forte sedans have contrast stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and synthetic leather upholstery with perforations.
The new nose, with its slimmer headlights and reworked bumpers, takes the next step; they include a multitude of lines without seeming cluttered or tacky. The Forte’s plainer flanks and decklid are adorned with a little spoiler and nicer taillights to enhance its standard economy car design. GT variants receive large wheels and black trim elements.
Interior
The 2024 Kia Forte provides space for four or five people, but the trunk’s 15.3-cubic-foot capacity exceeds its stated size. The trunk is a point over average, earning a score of 6. The Forte’s seats do not get bonus points, but they provide enough support and room for two tall front passengers. Covered in fabric in base models and synthetic leather in higher trims, the Forte’s 6-way manual front seats may be upgraded to power adjustment for the driver and front heating and cooling. The GT has sport seats with side-hugging bolsters and enhanced support.
The Forte is not nearly as spacious as a Civic or Jetta, at 182.7 inches in length with a 106.3-inch wheelbase, but its rear bench seat provides 35.7 inches of leg space, enough for a 6-footer to travel behind another 6-footer. Other versions include a fold-down rear seatback, but not Forte FE sedans. Also, the materials on the inside of the Forte LXS, GT-Line, and GT have been upgraded. The GT-Line and GT have red stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and more metallic accents.
Engine
Under the hood of the 2024 Forte FE and GT-Line is a 2.0-liter inline-4 producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Given that the vehicle weighs between 2,769 and 3,079 pounds, acceleration is not its forte; fuel efficiency is. It is connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that sloshes between gears to maintain the engine humming around its power peak. It is slow and noisy.
It reacts gently when driven lightly. The 201-hp 1.6-liter turbo-4 engine in the Forte GT would receive a 6 if combined with the 6-speed manual transmission and not the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. With 195 lb-ft of torque, it can reach 60 miles per hour in 6.7 seconds. We haven’t driven it with the manual transmission, but it must be better than Kia’s dual-clutch transmission, which has jerky shifts.
When in Sport mode and regularly nudged with the throttle, the dual-clutch responds consistently to requests for gear changes; otherwise, it searches for the proper cog, which is unpleasant at city speeds. The Forte’s handling is also not exceptional. Base cars have simple torsion-beam rear suspensions that do a good job of smoothing out rough pavement.
The GT’s independent rear suspension does not dampen the significant lean in corners and during rapid lane changes. Consider the Honda Civic Si or even the Hyundai Elantra N Line for more fun driving than the Forte.
2024 Kia Forte Release Date and Price
The Forte’s base price of $20,085 includes power features, a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, for a better interior and a split-folding rear seat, choose the LXS or GT-Line.