On a different note, the 2018 Kia Forte comes with a 2.0L Inline 4 engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission that delivers a maximum power of 147hp @ 6200rpm and a torque of 132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm. Priced at $16,800 for the base trim, the Forte comes with an extensive list of standard features.

Launched as a facelift of the 2017 Forte that required some enhancements in features, looks, and specifications, the 2018 Kia Forte is a solid, courteous, and a value for money sedan. Kia Forte offers one of the best interiors in its class, and despite the stiff competition, it comes into the first half of the best compact sedans. With a starting price of $16,800, the 2018 Kia Forte is available in 3 trims, namely the Forte LX, which is the base model, the Forte S, which comes at $19,400, and the Forte EX that comes at $21,700. It is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine and competes with Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, and the Mazda 3.

The 2018 Kia Forte is a well-built compact sedan, but it needs to get some advancements in performance and fuel economy. If you are looking for a car with inspiring rides and hyper fuel efficiency, the Kia Forte will not be a satisfactory one for you. However, if you are looking for a car with the best interiors in the class, then the Kia Forte is the best one that could satisfy your requirements. Its cabin is built with a lot of soft materials and its infotainment system is the most user-friendly one.

2018 Kia Forte S

$8,490

Bernard Motorcar Company - Inc

Rock Hill, SC

Check Availability

2017 Kia Forte LX

LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

Earlier Price: $6,990 (9 Nov 2024)

Wolfsburg Motorsport Auto Sales

2019 Kia Forte LXS

LXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Earlier Price: $13,822 (14 Nov 2024)

Hertz Car Sales St. Louis

2017 Kia Forte LX

LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

Earlier Price: $11,688 (20 Sep 2024)

2019 Kia Forte FE

FE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

2017 Kia Forte LX

LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

Earlier Price: $8,995 (4 Nov 2024)

Vehicle History

Accident reported: minor damage
1st owner drove an estimated 14,413 miles/year
1st owner purchased on 01/13/18 and owned in LA until 04/14/21
Last serviced at 52,259 miles in Alexandria, LA on 09/28/21

(708) 92*****

Check Availability

2018 Kia Forte User Reviews

Overall Rating: 3.5 (1 Reviews)

Latia Taylor

2018 Kia Forte

••3.5

Posted On: May 18, 2024

My black 2018 Kia Forte

Pros
It’s a beautiful car it’s roomy and fits me and my family comfortably., It helps with getting us around we love to travel and see family

Cons
It can be a gas guzzler at times depending on how far we travel to., Now that my kids are getting bigger the room in the car is starting to slowly get tight but still does the job.

We have a kia forte 2018 when we brought it the car only had 19miles on it which was nice, and kia services the car for us for free the first 6 months we had it which I also thought was really nice. But shortly after having the car for almost a year we slowly started seeing issues with the car from tire issues to ball joints going and we ended up slowly putting more money into the car then we ima... Read more

2018 Kia Forte Review

Pros

Up-to-date Infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Highly-rated safety features

Cons

Poor Fuel Economy
Ride Firmness

Overview

Pricing and Features
7.0/10

The 2018 Kia Forte sedan comes in 3 Trim Levels - LX, S, and EX trim. At each trim level, added features and specifications are provided, and there is a cost increment at each level. The base LX model is priced at $16,800, and there is a linear price hike in the successive models. Standard features include 15-inch steel wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, heated and power-adjustable side mirrors, satellite radio, a CD player, Bluetooth, and a USB port. The S trim gets a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a rearview camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic headlights, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Trims	LX	S	EX
MSRP	$16,800	$19,400	$21,700
Features	Bluetooth Wireless Technology	LED Positioning Lights	LED Rear Combination Lamps
	SiriusXM	UVO w/ 7″ Color Touch-Screen Display	Leather Seat Trim w/ Heated Front Seats
	Projector Beam Headlights	Android Auto and Apple Car Play	Smart Key w/ Push-Button Start and Immobilizer
	Heated and power-adjustable side mirrors	Rearview camera	Push-button start
	Remote keyless entry	16-inch alloy wheels	Available Dual-zone automatic climate control
	15-inch steel wheels	Automatic headlights	Available Blind spot monitoring

The Kia Forte EX trim level, the most advanced level, contains the heated front seats, the Smart Key, Push button start options along with an immobilizer. The lights used in this trim level are all LED Rear Combination Lamps. One can always opt for different packages with this sedan to expand the horizon of features and services inside.

We recommend

The EX trim is the most value for money trim on offer. It gets all the advanced features that make the Forte quite enjoyable to drive and live with on a day-to-day basis. While it is the range-topping trim in the sedan version of the forte it misses out on many features of the top-spec SX trim which is only available with the hatchback version. Still, it offers a lot of feel-good features that make the Forte much more premium.

Engine and Performance
7.5/10

The 2018 Kia Forte is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that delivers 147hp at 6,200rpm. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and delivers a maximum torque of up to 132 lb-ft at 4500 rpm. The engine delivers enough power for a compact sedan and the Forte never feels out of breath. It can munch miles all day without a hiccup but overtaking fast-moving traffic on the freeway does require some diligence. While the engine does its job quite well it is let down by the transmission which fails to offer quick downshifts when you need more power. The other competitors are also found to have a 2.0L 4-Cylinder engine and they are also working on a 6-speed automatic transmission, except for the Toyota Corolla that comes with a 1.8L engine and works on a CVT transmission.

All of their transmission systems offer front-wheel drive and induce more power into the front wheels. There is no all-wheel drive available with any of the options mentioned below.

Models	Kia Forte (S)	Toyota Corolla	Mazda Mazda3	Hyundai Elantra (SEL)
MSRP	$16,800	$18,600	$18,095	$18,850
Engine	2.0 L 4-Cylinder Naturally Aspirated	1.8 L 4-Cylinder Naturally Aspirated	2.0 L 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated	2.0 L 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated
Transmission	6-Speed Automatic Transmission	CVT	6-Speed Automatic Transmission	6-Speed Automatic Transmission
Power	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	132 bhp @ 6000 rpm	155 bhp @ 6000 rpm	147 bhp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft. @ 4500 rpm	128 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm	150 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive	Front-Wheel Drive	Front-Wheel Drive	Front-Wheel Drive

When the power and torque of the competitors are compared, the 2018 Mazda 3 is found to deliver the highest amount of power when compared to the other three rivals. It delivers an outstanding power of 155bhp @ 6000rpm and a torque of 150 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm. Corolla with its smaller engine stands last with the least amount of power on offer.

Acceleration

The 2018 Kia Forte does not provide outstanding power or acceleration, but it is the perfect sedan for the performance expected out of a commuter car. Though it does not deliver outstanding performance, it becomes the fastest sedan in reaching the 60 mph speed as well as the quarter-mile. This has to be credited to its lightweight rather than engine or transmission performance.

Models	Kia Forte (S)	Toyota Corolla (SE)	Mazda Mazda3 Sport	Hyundai Elantra (SEL)
0-60 MPH	6.6 sec	9.5 sec	7.9 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter mile	15.2 sec	17.4 sec	16.2 sec	16.2 sec
Engine	2.0 L 4-Cylinder Naturally Aspirated	1.8 L 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated	2.0 L 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated	2.0 L 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated

The Toyota Corolla takes the maximum amount of time for reaching both the 60mph speed as well as the quarter-mile. This may be due to the lower capacity engine. On the other hand, the Mazda 3 and the Hyundai Elantra are almost equal in speed, and Elantra taking an upper edge by just a difference of 0.1 seconds in 0-60mph sprint.

Handling and Steering

The 2018 Kia Forte offers a well-balanced package where most of the power is injected into the front wheels. It lets the driver choose between the different modes of driving, namely the Standard, Sport, and Comfort. These modes allow the driver to tailor the dynamics of the vehicle according to his liking. However, it does not alter the feel of the steering which might end up feeling a bit vague at times.

The Forte makes you experience a smooth ride by avoiding a large amount of jerk on the bumpy roads, however, it does have a lot of harshness on some rough road conditions. The Kia Forte comes with a Motor-Driven Power Steering that helps you turn the vehicle at sharp turns with less amount of effort on the steering. But as mentioned before, it does not offer the best feedback in its class.

Braking

The 2018 Kia Forte comes with a braking system that is 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-Lock Braking System. The Anti-Lock Braking System is built to sense the wheel lockup at times when the driver applies a heavy brake. In such a situation, it pumps the front brakes and the rear brakes together up to 30 times in a second. It results in preventing wheel lockup and also preserves the driver’s steering ability. The Kia Forte has the heaviest curb weight of 3,880 lbs when compared with the other competitors.

Model	Kia Forte (S)	Toyota Corolla (SE)	Mazda Mazda3 Sport	Hyundai Elantra (SEL)
Brake Front(in)	11	10.8	11.02	11
Brake Rear(in)	10.3	9	10.43	10.3
Curb weight(lbs)	3880 lbs.	2885 lbs.	2967	2900 (~)
70-0 MPH (ft.)	176 ft	183 feet	173 ft	168 feet

In terms of panic brake test from a speed of 70mph, the Hyundai Elantra is the fastest and takes only 168 feet to come to a halt. The Kia Forte and the Mazda 3 Sport take 176 feet and 173 feet respectively, whereas the Toyota Corolla takes a maximum of 183 feet.

Fuel Economy
8.4/10

The 2018 Kia Forte S trim level is not up to the mark in terms of fuel efficiency, however, when compared with its competitors, it is found to be delivering decent fuel efficiency. It comes with a fuel tank that has a capacity of 13.2 gallons and it uses the Multi-Point Injection Fuel Delivery System.

Model	Kia Forte (S)	Toyota Corolla (SE)	Mazda Mazda3 Sport	Hyundai Elantra (SEL)
MPG (city)	29	28	28	28
MPG (highway)	37	35	37	37
MPG (combined)	32	31	31	32

The Toyota Corolla, Mazda Mazda3 Sport, and Hyundai Elantra tie up on the city roads delivering a 28mpg, whereas the Kia Forte S offers 29mpg. On the highways, the Kia Forte ties up with the Mazda and the Elantra, delivering 32mpg, whereas the Corolla delivers 35mpg. In the combined economy, Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra beat the other two with a margin of 1mpg and offer 32mpg.

Interior
7.5/10

The Kia Forte is built with the best interiors in the class, featuring high-quality materials at every touchpoint. Both the front and the rear rows are spacious and offer a good amount of room for both the driver and the passengers. The seats are made of cloth upholstery as well as leather upholstery, and the driver's seat is 10-way power-adjustable. You get good all-around visibility and the cabin exudes a certain level of sophistication which is mostly missing from affordable compact sedans.

A ventilated driver's seat is also available as an added option. And yes, it also offers larger trunk space and the noticeable factor about the trunk is that it can be opened hands-free.

Model	Kia Forte (S)	Toyota Corolla (SE)	Mazda Mazda3 Sport	Hyundai Elantra (SEL)
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Passenger Volume(ft cube) w/ sunroof	95	97.1	96.3	95.8
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.)	39.1/56.1/42.2	38.0/54.8/42.3	38.6/57.2/42.2	38.8/56.2/42.2
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.)	37.3/54.9/35.9	37.1/54.8/41.4	37.6/54.4/35.8	37.3/55.3/35.7

Comparatively, the Forte seems to embrace the occupants in a more generous cabin. Even with all its years of experience, the Toyota Corolla finds it daunting to surpass its Korean counterpart. On the other hand, the Hyundai Elantra manages a better second row as compared to the Forte. Nevertheless, none of these vehicles can match Mazda 3 sedan with respect to comfort and convenience.

Interior Features

Heated Front Seats
10-way power-adjustable driver seat
UVO Infotainment System
Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
Sunroof
Apple Car Play and Android Auto
Lane Change Assist

Infotainment System

The 2018 Kia Forte comes with the most user-friendly UVO infotainment system. It includes a 7-inch high-resolution touchscreen display that contains the navigation system, offers connectivity with Bluetooth, and also enables connectivity to smartphones with the Apple CarPlay and the Android Auto.

It comes with a four-speaker stereo, satellite radio, and a USB port. The interface of the UVO infotainment system is very much intuitive and offers easy usability.

7-inch touchscreen system
6-speaker stereo
Android Auto & Apple CarPlay compatible
In-built Navigation System
Bluetooth
Satellite Radio

Cargo and Capacity

The Kia Forte comes with a generous cargo space, which is more than average for a compact sedan. Even when compared with the competitors, the Kia Forte has the maximum cargo volume in spite of the Hyundai Elantra offering 14.4 cubic feet of cargo volume.

Model	Kia Forte (S)	Toyota Corolla (SE)	Mazda Mazda3 Sport	Hyundai Elantra (SEL)
Volume (ft cube)	14.9	13.0	12.4	14.4

The Kia Forte manages to offer this 14.9 cubic feet of cargo volume because of the foldable rear seats that fold up to nearly flat for maximizing the cargo space. Another feature that contributes to more cargo space is the wide-opening trunk space that makes it easy to load more cargo into the sedan.

Exterior
6.5/10

The 2018 Kia Forte comes with a mighty exterior with its 17-inch alloy wheels and LED Daytime Running Lights. It has the HID headlights that turn in the direction in which the car turns along with the steering wheel. The Kia Forte S and the Hyundai Elantra SEL tie-up in terms of the ground clearance of 5.3-inch.

The Kia Forte, was the shortest among the competitors while featuring a comparable length and width.

Model	Kia Forte (S)	Toyota Corolla (SE)	Mazda Mazda3 Sport	Hyundai Elantra (SEL)
Curb weight(lbs)	3917	2885	2967	2900
Length(in)	179.5	183.1	180.3	179.9
Width(in)	70.1	69.9	70.7	70.9
Height(in)	56.3	57.3	57.3	56.5
Ground clearance(in)	5.3	6.7	6.1	5.3
Wheelbase(in)	106.3	106.3	106.3	106.3
Track width(in) F/R	61.3/61.7	59.8/59.9	61.2/61.4	61.2/61.6

Yes, the Forte has a tempting stance with Kia’s signature design elements starting from the large grille that houses the brand monogram, but still, a second glance and you will find there is plenty of room for improvement. Also, since it is based on the Hyundai Elantra, the Forte shares a lot of similarities with the same, although they are not directly visible to naive eyes. The Toyota Corolla may have the longest body and the most practical cabin, but gets beaten in terms of looks. On the other hand, the Mazda 3 is a pure exuberance of sophisticated design.

Exterior Features

Daytime Running LED headlights and taillights.
HID headlights
17-inch alloy wheels
Power folding side-view mirrors
Hands-free trunk opener

Safety
9.3/10

Besides the performance, capabilities, advancements, exteriors, and interiors, there are a lot of safety features that are noticeable in the compact sedan. The 2018 Kia Forte has scored an overall rating of 5 from the NHTSA in terms of safety. The 2018 Kia Forte comes with abundant safety features in areas of driving, collision avoidance and prevention, and mechanisms to reduce the impact of a collision. Few major safety features include-

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) w/ 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Traction Control System (TCS)
Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD)
Brake Assist System (BAS)
Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)
Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Side-Impact Door Beams
Front and Rear Crumple Zones

Competition
6.0/10

Kia Forte vs Toyota Corolla

The 2018 Toyota Corolla offers more room to the rear passengers, whereas the Kia Forte is more comfortable for the driver and the front passenger. Both the sedans offer moreover the same fuel efficiency, and the Kia Forte is a bit shorter than the Corolla, making it easier to park. The Kia Forte delivers more power and offers more cargo space, however, the Corolla makes a lesser impact on your bank balance.

So the choice comes between saving money or having more fun with your vehicle.

Kia Forte vs Mazda 3 Sport

The Kia Forte delivers less power when compared to the Mazda 3 Sport, but it is faster in both accelerating and decelerating. The Forte offers more fuel efficiency, and it is lengthier and wider than the Mazda 3 Sport. The Kia Forte offers more cargo space, and it is the best choice among the two if price matters.

Kia Forte vs Hyundai Elantra

Both Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra are found to deliver the same amount of power as well as torque, but the difference lies in the acceleration power and the fuel economy. The Kia Forte is a better option in these two factors and also if the price is a priority, then Kia Forte is the best choice between the two.

Final Verdict

The Kia Forte is a compact sedan that comes with the best-in-class interiors, a spacious cabin, and also a more than average cargo space. It comes with a very user-friendly UVO infotainment system and an engine that offers good performance. The Forte is an advancement with its features and advancements from the previous year’s models and the price factor makes it an ideal deal. Thus it is a well-built compact sedan, but it needs to get some advancements in performance and fuel economy. If you are looking for a car with inspiring rides and good fuel efficiency, the Kia Forte will not be a satisfactory one for you. However, if you want a compact sedan with the best interiors in the class, then the Kia Forte would certainly satisfy your requirements.

Saved Cars

View All Saved Cars

2017 Kia Forte LX

2018 Kia Forte LX

2017 Kia Forte LX

2019 Kia Forte LXS

2018 Kia Forte User Reviews

2018 Kia Forte LX

2018 Kia Forte S

2019 Kia Forte LXS

2017 Kia Forte LX

2017 Kia Forte LX

2018 Kia Forte LX

2018 Kia Forte LX

2018 Kia Forte LX

2018 Kia Forte LX

2017 Kia Forte LX

2017 Kia Forte LX

2019 Kia Forte LXS

2017 Kia Forte LX

2017 Kia Forte LX

2019 Kia Forte LXS

2019 Kia Forte LXS

2018 Kia Forte LX

2018 Kia Forte LX

2018 Kia Forte LX

2018 Kia Forte LX

About 2018 Kia Forte

2018 Kia Forte S

2017 Kia Forte LX

2019 Kia Forte LXS

2017 Kia Forte LX

2019 Kia Forte FE

2017 Kia Forte LX

2018 Kia Forte User Reviews

My black 2018 Kia Forte

ProsIt’s a beautiful car it’s roomy and fits me and my family comfortably., It helps with getting us around we love to travel and see family

Cons It can be a gas guzzler at times depending on how far we travel to., Now that my kids are getting bigger the room in the car is starting to slowly get tight but still does the job.

2018 Kia Forte Review

Pros

Cons

Overview

Pricing and Features7.0/10

Engine and Performance7.5/10

Acceleration

Handling and Steering

Braking

Fuel Economy8.4/10

Interior7.5/10

Infotainment System

Cargo and Capacity

Exterior6.5/10

Safety9.3/10

Competition6.0/10

Kia Forte vs Toyota Corolla

Kia Forte vs Mazda 3 Sport

Kia Forte vs Hyundai Elantra

Final Verdict

Saved Cars

Pros
It’s a beautiful car it’s roomy and fits me and my family comfortably., It helps with getting us around we love to travel and see family

Cons
It can be a gas guzzler at times depending on how far we travel to., Now that my kids are getting bigger the room in the car is starting to slowly get tight but still does the job.

Pricing and Features
7.0/10

Engine and Performance
7.5/10

Fuel Economy
8.4/10

Interior
7.5/10

Exterior
6.5/10

Safety
9.3/10

Competition
6.0/10