2022 Kia Forte

The 2022 Kia Forte is overhauled in a major way when it comes to its exterior styling. A new grille up front marks a striking improvement, while both bumpers are also redesigned, while higher trims get LED fog lights as well.

The cabin has also been redesigned while new and improved tech and safety features allow you to really equip your affordable 2022 Kia Forte in a way that suits your daily travels around northern Virginia and beyond.

The compact sedan market might be shrinking, with Chevrolet and Ford recently abandoning the class to focus on compact SUVs, but that just makes it easier to consider the segment’s standouts.

The 2022 Kia Forte ranks high on that list with its sharp style, impressive fuel economy, and a string of standard features at a lower price than rivals.

The Forte lineup ranges from the fuel-thrifty base model to the sporty 201-horsepower GT top trim and its optional six-speed manual transmission. New for 2022 are restyled front and rear end, with a sleeker grille and headlights, and revised taillight designs for a more aggressive look.

New safety features and driver aids have been added as standard equipment, including navigation-based adaptive cruise control and a lane-centering system. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now make smartphone connections easier and cable-free for front occupants.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Forte offers two different engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 201 horsepower. The 2.0-liter felt sluggish when we tested it, and the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) didn’t help.

The non-turbocharged engine required 8.2 seconds to motivate the Forte from zero to 60 mph at our test track—notably slower than the Mazda 3, which got there in 7.0 seconds.

The optional 201-hp turbocharged engine, however, puts the Forte GT in the same league as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Civic Si—in theory, at least. At our test track, a manual transmission-equipped GT test car managed a 6.7-second run to 60 mph, slightly off the pace of those two memorable performers.

The 2022 Kia Forte offers a comfortable and stable ride, but its handling isn’t as exciting as its Stinger-inspired exterior styling would suggest, even in the sportier GT model.

In fact, when hustling the Forte in a recent comparison test against the Civic Si and the Jetta GLI, we found ourselves working harder in the Forte to keep up with the rest of the pack.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Forte, specifically those equipped with the less powerful engine and automatic transmission, will keep drivers cruising past gas stations. With a highway efficiency of 40 mpg and a combined fuel economy of 33 mpg, this is where the 2022 Kia Forte excels.

If you opt for the GT with the dual-clutch transmission, the combined fuel economy drops to 30 mpg. In our 200-mile highway fuel economy test, the 2019 Forte registered 41 mpg, which is a little better than the EPA rating. For more information about the 2022 Kia Forte’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The interior of this car impressed us with its minimalist design and high-quality and upscale materials. The back seat is spacious enough for two adults to be comfortable, and long road trips in the Forte can be made without complaint.

The base model offers all the basic amenities, but things get more pleasant as you work up through the various models. Dual-zone automatic climate control is optional, for example, as are heated and ventilated front seats.

With all the seats up, the 2022 Kia Forte fit seven carry-on bags, one more than both of its key rivals, the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2022 Kia Forte is a steal given its availability—even down to the base model. An 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard but GT-Line and GT trim come with a larger 10.3-inch display with in-dash navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio.

All models come with a secondary 4.2-inch color display between the gauges, and a wireless smartphone charging pad is an option.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

The 2022 Kia Forte offers a handful of standard and optional driver-assistance features, including an optional adaptive cruise control feature that uses navigation to predict upcoming curves in the road and slows the car’s speed in preparation for the turns.

For more information about the 2022 Kia Forte’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

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Full Specifications