Used Kia Forte Buying Guide

• If you’re looking for the best fuel economy, look for a Forte with the 2.0L, getting nearly 40 mpg on the highway.
• Earlier Forte models had access to coupe and hatchback builds.
• The third generation offered the most comfort and some of the best features in its class, putting it ahead of the competitors.

This style isn't for those who aren’t bold. Aimed at a younger audience, these aren’t the soccer mom cars that Kia has put out in the past.

When this model hit the market, it was aimed at the newer drivers hitting the roads. Coming with a sharper design, this wasn't your everyday family car. This generation came in Sedan, Hatchback, and Coupe builds. With the Sedan coming first.

When 2010 came around, the L and EX trims came with a 2.0L CVT engine that came with a five-speed manual, but offered a four-speed automatic, as well as a five-speed automatic. In 2011, a six-speed manual was the standard, with a six-speed automatic being offered.

The LX model, being the base model, came standard with minimal features. It comes with electronic stability control and seat and side-mounted airbags. It came with a four-speaker stereo that had a CD/MP3 player, and an iPod compatible USB inputs, and auxiliary port. Bluetooth also came on this trim, having all of your bases covered.

The EX trims added air conditioning, and here in Florida, this is a much-needed feature. It also comes with cruise control, a six-speaker system, and a key fob with keyless entry.

The SX trim is next in the lineup and comes with a 2.4L engine that can be paired with a six-speed manual or the optional five-speed automatic. This trim came with some of the best features, offering a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever and sport-cloth seats.

When this model was unveiled, it came with LED headlights and taillights as standard. This generation was also more fuel-efficient. It comes with two engines, the first one being the 1.8L I4, producing 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque. While the other is the 2.0L I4 that can produce 173 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque.

The fuel-efficient engine, according to the EPA, is the 2.0L, getting a combined 32 MPG, really shining on the highway at 38 miles per gallon, with city driving getting 29.

With the coupe sharing most of the same features as the other builds, it saw slower sales, resulting in its discontinuation in 2016. If you do manage to find a coupe, you will want to check if it’s an SX. While the other trims were shared, this one was unique. Coming as the top-of-the-line trim, this came with GPS navigation, perforated luxury leather-trimmed seating surfaces, and heated front bucket seats from 2014-2015.