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2023 Kia Forte, In this intensely competitive small vehicle sector, value is one of the keys to success. The 2023 Kia Forte varies in price depending on the trim level and has a few more amenities than its closest competitors. The Forte is hard to match when combined with the longest warranty in the sector and excellent fuel economy figures.
Helping Matters had a big upgrade last year that included new functionality and improved user experience. This won’t lead to any significant modifications for 2023, however a recent trademark filing raises the possibility of the Forte acquiring a new name. If the K3 was given a new name to better represent its ubiquitous branding, we wouldn’t be surprised.
There aren’t many better vehicles in the class, and a Forte would perform admirably in any other situation. However, the Forte is only a few points behind. The comparable Hyundai Elantra and the nimble Mazda 3 are two more fierce competitors. Although the 2023 Forte is a fantastic car, it does have certain shortcomings, which we discuss in our expert evaluation below.
Performance
The Forte’s robust feel makes it appropriate for daily driving. Our test Forte completed the 0-60 mph sprint at Edmunds’ test track in 8.7 seconds, which is a class average. Even though it occasionally appears sloppy, the CVT transmission mostly performs well. When given instructions to produce power, it reacts quickly, but when you gently compress the throttle, it is eager to lower its revs. It can result in an increase in power supply.
The Forte’s handling has not particularly pleased us either. Despite having adequate steering weight, the on-center feel is hazy and doesn’t provide much input. Although the Forte had extremely flat curves, midcorner bumps might cause it to shake.
Comfort
Compared to other vehicles in its class, the Forte is more comfortable. The headrests on the seats are soft and inconspicuous to provide comfort over extended journeys. The wind and background noise are barely audible, and the road noise has been well suppressed. The dual-zone automatic temperature control is effective. Even if the cooling effect isn’t extremely effective, we enjoy that Kia offers ventilated front seats.
The severe suspension of the Forte is the main mistake here. On uneven surfaces or slight anomalies, it works rather well, but it fails to smooth out bigger bumps. Uneven bumps provide a particular challenge for the rear suspension.
Interior
The Forte’s interior is excellent, thanks to Kia. Thanks to a variety of materials, the well-constructed interior offers an air of maturity and sophistication. The infotainment system’s tactile buttons provide access to all of its key features, making it simple to use. The controls are simple to find and utilize. The seat and steering wheel may both be adjusted to varying degrees.
Both the legroom and shoulder space are generous in the front seat. Taller drivers also have plenty of headroom. Rear seat headroom is only a concern for anyone over 6 feet tall, although rear seat knee room is below class average (and the harsh plastic seatbacks don’t help either).
Technology
The Forte has several well implemented features overall. When not cranked up too loud, the improved audio system produces a clear sound, and the touchscreen interface is simple to use. Our test car did not come with the optional navigation system, but the built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto more than make up for it. Despite the fact that you must adhere to a defined set of instructions, the natural speech system can quickly understand simple orders.
All Forte models come with front collision prevention as standard equipment, while higher-level trims may be ordered with blind-spot monitoring. It’s a touch unfortunate that adaptive cruise control is not a standard feature on any trim level. This quality is shared by several rivals. Every system passed testing without a hitch and without issuing any erroneous alarms.
Storage
For a little car, the Forte is surprisingly functional. The trunk also features a sizable opening and a broad, level load floor. It is also one of the largest in its class with a capacity of 15.3 cubic feet. There are several places in the cabin where you may store little items to keep things organized. There are many storage trays, a spacious center console box, and roomy door pockets among them.
The anchors for kid safety seats are easily accessible and clearly indicated. They are also placed close to the tops of the cushions. Large rear-facing seats may make it harder to move about in the front seats because of how little space there is in the back.
Fuel efficiency
The EPA estimates that the standard Forte engine will achieve 32 mpg combined, which is a decent prediction (or 35 mpg for the FE trim). Even while the Forte performed better than the majority of its rivals in our real-world driving tests, we were quite underwhelmed.
