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Used 2023 Kia Forte Sedan Trims Comparison

Trim level differences

The 2023 Kia Forte is offered in four trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line and GT. The lineup ranges from the fuel-sipping LX to the sporty GT. The latter is equipped with a more powerful engine and an available six-speed manual transmission.

LX
The base trim comes standard with:

  • 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower, 132 lb-ft of torque)
  • Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)
  • 15-inch steel wheels
  • Cruise control with steering wheel controls
  • Multiple driving modes
  • 8-inch touchscreen display
  • Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
  • Four-speaker audio system

Every Forte also comes with these advanced driver safety features:

  • Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
  • Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
  • Lane keeping assistance (steers the Forte back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
  • Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
  • Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

LXS
The LXS trim adds a few features, including:

  • 16-inch alloy wheels
  • 60/40-split folding rear seats
  • Upgraded interior trim

The optional LXS Technology package beefs up the driver aids and conveniences with:

  • Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
  • Safe exit system (can prevent driver or passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind)
  • Heated side mirrors

GT-Line
The GT-Line sits in the middle of the lineup. It adds the LXS options, along with:

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • LED foglights
  • LED running lights and taillights
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Cloth sport seats with faux leather inserts
  • Leather-wrapped flat-bottom sport steering wheel
  • 10.25-inch infotainment display
  • Navigation system
  • Six-speaker audio system
  • Keyless entry and push-button start

Three option packages are available for the GT-Line: GT-Line Premium, GT-Line Sport and GT-Line Technology.

The GT-Line Premium package adds:

  • Sunroof
  • LED cabin lighting
  • Eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
  • Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Forte and the car in front)
  • Wireless charging pad

The GT-Line Sport package offers:

  • Power-adjustable driver's seat
  • Synthetic leather upholstery
  • Heated and ventilated front seats
  • Rear-seat USB charging port

The GT-Line Technology package offers:

  • Navigation-based adaptive cruise control
  • Pedestrian and cyclist collision avoidance

GT
This is the sport-oriented Forte. It comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (201 hp, 195 lb-ft) and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an optional six-speed manual. Otherwise, it builds on the GT-Line's features with:

  • 18-inch wheels
  • Sport suspension
  • LED headlights
  • Black synthetic leather and cloth seats with red stitching
  • Wireless charging pad
  • Rear air-conditioning vent and USB charging port

The GT equipped with the automatic transmission also comes with:

  • Pedestrian and cyclist collision avoidance
  • Adaptive cruise control

The GT2 package loads up the GT trim with:

  • Sunroof
  • Full synthetic leather upholstery
  • Power-adjustable driver's seat
  • Heated and ventilated front seats
  • Harman Kardon audio system
  • Wireless device charging
  • Rear parking sensors

Which Forte trim does Edmunds recommend?

We're partial to the GT-Line trim. It adds a bunch of desirable features, such as a bigger touchscreen and dual-zone climate control, and is still reasonably priced.

Compare trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
Ireland, IN
Vehicle
Forte LX
Forte LXS
Forte GT-Line
Forte GT
Vehicle
LX
2.0L 4cyl CVT
See all Forte LX for sale
1 for sale near you
LXS
2.0L 4cyl CVT
See all Forte LXS for sale
13 for sale near you
GT
1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM
See all Forte GT for sale
6 for sale near you
Hide similarities
Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Features

Bluetooth
standard
standard
standard
standard
Navigation
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
Satellite radio
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
Keyless Ignition
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
Cruise control
standard
standard
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
Not Available
Not Available
optional
optional
Parking assistance
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
optional
Upholstery
cloth
cloth
leatherette/cloth
leatherette/cloth
Heated seats
Not Available
Not Available
optional
optional
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not Available
Not Available
optional
optional
Folding rear seats
standard
standard
standard
standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
optional
optional
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Drivetrain
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
Engine power
147 hp @ 6,200 rpm
147 hp @ 6,200 rpm
147 hp @ 6,200 rpm
201 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Engine torque
132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
195 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm
Engine displacement
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
1.6 l
Engine configuration
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
Transmission
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
7-speed automated manual
Tire size
195/65R15
205/55R16
225/45R17
225/40R18
Wheel size
15 X 6.0-in
16 X 6.5-in
17 X 7.0-in
18 X 7.5-in
Wheel type
steel wheels
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
30 / 41 / 34 MPG
28 / 39 / 32 MPG
28 / 39 / 32 MPG
27 / 35 / 30 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
14.0 gal.
14.0 gal.
14.0 gal.
14.0 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
420 / 574 miles
392 / 546 miles
392 / 546 miles
378 / 490 miles
Fuel Type
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
34.8 ft.
34.8 ft.
34.8 ft.
34.8 ft.
Curb weight
2,769 lb.
2,769 lb.
2,769 lb.
3,012 lb.
Ground Clearance
5.3 in.
5.3 in.
5.3 in.
5.3 in.
Overall Width with Mirrors
Overall Width without Mirrors
70.9 in.
70.9 in.
70.9 in.
70.9 in.
Height
56.5 in.
56.5 in.
56.5 in.
56.5 in.
Length
182.7 in.
182.7 in.
182.7 in.
182.7 in.
Wheelbase
106.3 in.
106.3 in.
106.3 in.
106.3 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
15.3 cu. ft.
15.3 cu. ft.
15.3 cu. ft.
15.3 cu. ft.
Front Head Room
38.8 in.
38.8 in.
38.8 in.
38.8 in.
Front Leg Room
42.2 in.
42.2 in.
42.2 in.
42.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room
56.1 in.
56.1 in.
56.1 in.
56.1 in.
Rear Head Room
37.5 in.
37.5 in.
37.5 in.
37.5 in.
Rear Leg Room
35.7 in.
35.7 in.
35.7 in.
35.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room
55.3 in.
55.3 in.
55.3 in.
55.3 in.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
$30,636
$31,361
$32,617
$35,630
Average Cost Per Mile
$0.41
$0.42
$0.43
$0.48
Depreciation
$8,743
$8,583
$9,262
$10,367
Financing
$3,651
$3,822
$4,108
$4,475
Taxes & Fees
$1,773
$1,854
$1,991
$2,167
Fuel
$7,539
$8,017
$8,017
$8,547
Insurance
$3,632
$3,727
$3,727
$3,790
Maintenance
$4,099
$4,159
$4,313
$4,772
Repairs
$1,199
$1,199
$1,199
$1,512
Section Title

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Black, cloth
Gray, cloth
Black, cloth
Black SOFINO, leatherette
Black w/Gray Stitching, leatherette/cloth
Black w/Red Stitching, leatherette/cloth
Black w/Red Stitching, leatherette
Exterior
Gravity Gray
Clear White
Aurora Black
Currant Red
Deep Sea Blue
Fire Orange
Gravity Gray
Snow White Pearl
Aurora Black
Steel Gray
Sporty Blue
Fire Orange
Gravity Gray
Snow White Pearl
Aurora Black
Steel Gray
Currant Red
Sporty Blue
Gravity Gray
Snow White Pearl
Aurora Black
Steel Gray