The 2021 Kia Forte is a sporty and sophisticated small sedan that offers scintillating performance and a smooth, refined ride. Available from Huffines Kia Corinth, the Forte is offered in FE, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT trim levels, each with unique characteristics. Here’s a guide to what the Forte and its various trims have to offer.
Dynamic Exterior Design
Inspired by the Kia Stinger sports sedan, the 2021 Kia Forte has athletic yet elegant exterior styling. The sporty front fascia and signature tiger-nose grille make it look ready for action, while the flowing curves of the profile create the sensation of motion, even when stationary.
With the FE trim, you get automatic projector-beam headlights, distinctive daytime running lights, 15-inch steel wheels with stylish full covers, and color-keyed door handles and mirrors. Solar-control glass helps keep the cabin cool. The LXS trim adds gloss black bumper accents, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a chrome exhaust tip. This is the only Forte model available with the option of Silky Silver paintwork.
For a sportier look, the GT-Line features a sport grille, LED daytime running lights and fog lights, 17-inch graphite wheels, gloss black heated mirrors with LED turn signals, and a gloss black trunk lid spoiler and body accents. LED taillights create a distinctive signature appearance. For your convenience, warm LED approach lighting welcomes your arrival, while the smart trunk automatically opens when you stand behind the car with your smart key. The GT-Line also offers the exclusive option of a vibrant Fire Orange exterior color.
The EX trim adds a touch of sophistication with chrome accents, 17-inch machine-finished wheels, and a power sunroof. The Forte GT stands out from the crowd with red grille inserts, auto-leveling LED headlights, 18-inch two-tone wheels, and glossy black exterior details. Finishing the high-performance appearance are red rear diffuser accents and dual chrome exhaust outlets.
Spacious and Sophisticated Cabin
Image via Unsplash by @nilsbogdanovs
The Forte features a spacious and well-laid-out cabin, with intuitively placed controls and the high-quality materials you’d only expect to find in much pricier vehicles. It offers ample seating for five, along with a roomy 15.3-cubic-foot trunk for your luggage. Available 60/40 spit-folding rear seats enable you to expand the trunk and carry longer cargo items.
FE models offer stylish woven-fabric upholstery, six-way adjustable front seats, air conditioning, a 3.5-inch driver information display, cruise control, and a tilting and telescoping steering column. The LXS trim gets a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and soft-touch upper door panels.
The GT-Line adds push-button start, unique simulated-leather-trimmed cloth sports seats with white contrast stitching, and a leather-bound gear shift and GT-Line flat-bottom sport steering wheel. GT models feature faux leather and fabric seats with red contrast stitching, a red-stitched GT-specific sport steering wheel, GT ambient lighting, and LED interior lighting.
For added sophistication, the elegant EX trim features simulated leather upholstery, a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Cutting-Edge Technology
The Forte’s standard infotainment system has an 8-inch touch-screen display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, Bluetooth, a four-speaker audio system, and USB, MP3, and auxiliary inputs. The GT-Line trim adds a six-speaker sound system, while GT models further give you voice recognition and satellite radio.
Going with the EX trim gets you a voice command navigation system, a wireless phone charger, HD radio, and a premium 320-watt Harman Kardon audio system with eight speakers and a subwoofer for studio-quality sound. The top two trims offer UVO link that enables you to sync your compatible smartphone with your car and access remote vehicle functions.
Exciting and Economic Performance
With its perky performance and agility, the Kia Forte is easy to navigate around town, while its nimble handling turns the winding North Texas back roads into pure driving pleasure. Your passengers can enjoy the smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride that makes light work of even the longest road trip.
Standard power for the Forte is provided by a refined 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. The FE trim comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, or you can choose the option of the intelligent, seamlessly shifting, continuously variable transmission that is standard for LXS, GT-Line, and EX models.
The GT trim gets enhanced performance from a punchy turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. You can opt for a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. A model-specific, dual sport-tuned exhaust provides you with audible and sensory feedback for an even more absorbing driving experience. All but the FE and GT manual trims offer Drive Mode Select, which lets you choose from Normal, Sport, or Comfort modes.
The base engine, when coupled with the continuously variable transmission, will reward you with up to 29 mpg for city driving and 40 mpg on the highway. The turbocharged GT with the automatic transmission will return up to 27 and 35 mpg for city and highway driving.
Driver Assistance Features
Safety doesn’t take a back seat in the Kia Forte. Helping keep you in control are standard electronic stability control, traction control, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, and a brake assist system. The hill-start assist feature stops the car from rolling backward when you’re pulling away on an incline.
The Forte is also equipped with the Kia Drive Wise suite of driver assistance technologies. Included as standard are driver attention alert, forward collision alert, forward collision mitigation, lane keep assist, and lane departure alert. The GT-Line trim and above add lane change assist, blind-spot collision alert, and rear cross-traffic collision alert. GT models offer automatic high beams and the options of adaptive cruise control and forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection.
At Huffines Kia Corinth, drivers from Corinth and the surrounding areas of Texas can take a close look at the striking features that make the 2021 Kia Forte one of the best sedans in its class. Come visit us today at our conveniently located dealership at 6940 S. Interstate 35E, Corinth, Texas.