Cars

2025 Kia Forte Review: Value, Fuel Economy, and Drive Test

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

2025 Kia Forte Review: Value, Fuel Economy, and Drive Test

The 2025 Kia Forte continues to stand out in the competitive compact sedan segment with a compelling blend of affordability, efficiency, and modern features. As a favorite among budget-conscious buyers, the Forte has evolved into a well-rounded option that doesn’t compromise on style or technology. In this in-depth review, we’ll explore the 2025 model’s value proposition, fuel economy, and real-world driving experience to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.

Overview of the 2025 Kia Forte

Now in its latest generation, the 2025 Kia Forte builds upon Kia’s reputation for delivering high-quality vehicles at accessible price points. With a sleek exterior design, a thoughtfully updated interior, and a range of standard safety features, the Forte competes directly with other compact sedans like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra. However, what sets the Forte apart is its focus on value—offering premium features at a lower cost than many rivals.

Priced starting at just under $20,000, the base Forte L trim offers an impressive array of standard equipment, including keyless entry, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and advanced driver assistance systems. Higher trims like the Forte GT-Line and Forte GT add sporty styling cues, upgraded infotainment, and more powerful engine options. Whether you're commuting to work, running errands, or taking a cross-town road trip, the 2025 Forte aims to make every drive enjoyable and efficient.

Design and Styling: Sharp and Modern

The 2025 Kia Forte features a bold, fastback-inspired silhouette that gives it a more upscale appearance than its price tag might suggest. The front fascia is dominated by Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille, flanked by sleek LED headlights and a lower air intake that adds a sporty edge. Along the sides, crisp character lines flow from the front fenders to the rear, enhancing the car’s dynamic profile.

The GT-Line trim elevates the aesthetic with gloss-black accents, unique alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler, giving the Forte a more aggressive stance. Even in base trim, the Forte doesn’t look like a budget car—its design cues borrow heavily from Kia’s larger sedans, lending it a sense of sophistication.

The interior continues the theme of modern minimalism with a driver-focused cockpit. Soft-touch materials are used in key areas, and the fit and finish are impressive for the segment. The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster (available on higher trims) and standard 8-inch touchscreen add a tech-forward feel, while physical climate controls ensure ease of use behind the wheel.

2025 Kia Forte Review: Value, Fuel Economy, and Drive Test

Interior Comfort and Features

Step inside the 2025 Kia Forte, and you’ll find a cabin that prioritizes both comfort and usability. Front passengers benefit from ample legroom and supportive seats, while rear-seat space is generous for a compact sedan. Taller adults may find headroom a bit tight with the available sunroof, but overall, the Forte strikes a good balance between interior volume and exterior footprint.

The base Forte L comes with cloth upholstery, manual air conditioning, and a 7-inch touchscreen. Step up to the S or GT-Line trims, and you’ll gain dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and available wireless charging. The GT model adds sport seats with bolstering for drivers who enjoy a more engaging experience.

Infotainment is handled by Kia’s latest UVO Intelligence system, which includes over-the-air updates, voice recognition, and cloud-based navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all trims, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. Available features like a Harman Kardon audio system and a wireless phone charger elevate the tech experience even further.

Storage is practical but not class-leading. The 15.3 cubic-foot trunk provides enough space for groceries, luggage, or weekend getaway gear. While not the largest in its segment, the trunk opening is wide, and the rear seats fold down (on most trims) to expand cargo capacity when needed.

Powertrain and Fuel Economy: Efficient and Responsive

The 2025 Kia Forte is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with either a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a six-speed automatic, depending on the trim. While not a performance powerhouse, the engine delivers smooth and adequate power for daily driving, with predictable throttle response and minimal turbo lag.

Fuel economy is one of the Forte’s strongest selling points. The front-wheel-drive model with the CVT achieves an EPA-estimated 31 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg combined. These figures place it among the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid compact sedans on the market. For drivers concerned about long-term cost of ownership, the Forte’s efficiency translates into fewer trips to the gas station and lower fuel expenses over time.

The Forte GT ups the ante with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This version is only available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. While the turbo engine delivers noticeably quicker acceleration (0–60 mph in around 6.8 seconds), it does so at the expense of fuel economy. The GT still manages a respectable 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway with the automatic, and 27/34 mpg with the manual.

Both powertrains are tuned for refinement, with minimal engine noise under normal driving conditions. The CVT is well-calibrated, avoiding the droning sensation common in some competitors. Overall, the Forte offers a powertrain lineup that caters to both efficiency seekers and enthusiasts who want a bit more zip.

Driving Dynamics: Comfortable and Composed

On the road, the 2025 Kia Forte impresses with its composed ride and confident handling. The suspension is tuned more for comfort than sportiness, effectively absorbing bumps and road imperfections. This makes the Forte an excellent choice for daily commutes and long-distance travel, where ride quality matters.

Steering is light and responsive, making the Forte easy to maneuver in tight parking lots or crowded city streets. While it lacks the razor-sharp precision of a Honda Civic, the Forte’s steering feel is consistent and predictable. The car remains stable at highway speeds, with minimal wind and road noise, contributing to a quiet and refined cabin experience.

The Forte GT stands out for its more engaging driving dynamics. With firmer suspension tuning, larger brakes, and available performance tires, the GT feels more planted around corners. The manual transmission option is a welcome throwback in a segment increasingly dominated by automatics, offering driving enthusiasts a fun and involved experience.

Braking performance is solid across the lineup, with responsive pedal feel and strong stopping power. The available six-piston front brake calipers on the GT model enhance confidence during spirited driving or emergency maneuvers.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Safety is a major strength of the 2025 Kia Forte. Every trim comes standard with Kia’s DriveWise suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), making it one of the safest vehicles in its class at this price point.

Standard features include:

The Forte also earns high marks in crash testing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it a Top Safety Pick rating, thanks to its strong structural integrity and effective headlights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet tested the 2025 model, but previous generations performed well, suggesting continued safety excellence.

Additional available safety features include Highway Driving Assist (HDA), which combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering to reduce driver fatigue on long trips. Rear parking sensors and a surround-view monitor are also available on higher trims, aiding in tight parking situations.

Value Proposition: What You Get for the Price

When it comes to value, the 2025 Kia Forte is hard to beat. Starting at $19,990 for the base L trim, it undercuts many competitors while offering a more generous standard feature set. Even at the top GT trim level, the Forte remains under $28,000, positioning it as a budget-friendly option with near-premium content.

Consider what you get in the mid-level Forte S trim, priced around $23,000: 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, proximity key, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a larger touchscreen. By comparison, equivalent trims in the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla often require additional optional packages to match these features.

Kia also backs the Forte with one of the best warranties in the industry: a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty. This long-term coverage provides peace of mind and contributes to the car’s strong resale value.

With low ownership costs, excellent fuel economy, and minimal maintenance requirements, the Forte is an economical choice over the long haul. Its combination of standard tech, safety, and comfort features makes it a standout in the value-oriented compact sedan segment.

Trim Levels and Pricing

The 2025 Kia Forte is available in four main trims: L, S, GT-Line, and GT. Each trim builds on the previous with additional features, performance upgrades, or styling enhancements.

1. Forte L – $19,990

The base model includes key features like:

2. Forte S – $22,990

The S trim adds:

3. Forte GT-Line – $25,490

GT-Line is a styling-focused trim that includes:

4. Forte GT – $27,990

The performance-oriented GT model features:

All trims are front-wheel drive only, and no all-wheel-drive option is available. However, the front-wheel-drive layout contributes to better fuel economy and lower pricing.

Technology and Connectivity

The 2025 Kia Forte shines in the technology department, offering modern infotainment and connected services that rival more expensive vehicles. The base 7-inch touchscreen runs Kia’s UVO Intelligence system, which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on higher trims (wired on base models).

New for 2025 is over-the-air (OTA) software updates, allowing the infotainment system and vehicle settings to stay current without a dealership visit. This feature enhances long-term usability and keeps the Forte’s tech relevant throughout ownership.

Available features include: