2023 Kia Forte: A Trim Comparison
Kia has refreshed the Forte for the 2023 model year. And there’s no doubt that, with this update, the new Forte leaps to the top of the compact car segment, perhaps even becoming the de facto leader.
Buying a Kia Forte
The 2023 Kia Forte has four trims buyers can choose from, and each is packed with features that you might only find on other brands at higher price points.
FE
The 2023 Kia Forte FE has a starting MSRP of $19,490. At that price, it features a 2L I-4 engine that’s capable of 147 horsepower and has fuel economy ratings of 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. A manual transmission is standard, but you can get a CVT for an additional $900. Important safety features like an 8-inch rear camera display and forward collision-avoidance assist come standard on this base trim level. Other safety features include lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warning. It also has dual-zone automatic temperature control and, more importantly, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities.
Being a base trim, it only has a mid-tier 4-speaker audio system. Additionally, there are no available package options that buyers can add to the Forte FE.
LXS
The 2023 Kia Forte LXS bumps the price up a little bit to $19,990 and includes split-folding seats, alloy wheels and soft-touch doors. These features may not be worth an upgrade to you but for another $500 you can get the LXS Technology package which adds safe exit assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.
GT-Line
Further up the line is the 2023 Kia Forte S. This is the first trim to crack the $20K mark, often seen as the peak price for an entry-level car geared at new drivers. With an MSRP of $21,690, buyers will find upgraded cloth sports seats with synthetic leather side bolstering and white stitching. Inside the cabin sees some further upscale refinement with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Other new tech includes one-proximity keyless entry, push-button start, and a six-speaker stereo.
The exterior of the car adds front fog lights, heated side view mirrors, LED daytime running lights, and LED rear combination lamps. Safety features include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and lane change assist.
For $300, you can add the GT-Line Technology package with cyclist detection, navigation-based adaptive cruise control and an electronic parking brake. The $1,700 GT-Line Premium package includes an eight-speaker premium Harmon Kardon audio system, wireless device charging, a sunroof, highway driving assist and more for $1,700.
GT
Last on the list is the GT trim. Available for $24,190, it is the second-most expensive option. This sports model features a sports-tuned suspension, rear-seat USB port, dual chrome exhaust system, LED projector headlights, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and larger alloy wheels. Wireless device charging is also included.
A manual version of this model starts at $24,890.