You have the option to choose between the Kia Forte LXS and EX trims because both offer lots of comfort and excellent fuel economy. Choose the LXS trim if you want straightforward, efficient technology. You should get the EX trim if you require more sophisticated features. Ohio’s Sheffield Lake, Lorain, and Cleveland streets are the perfect places to take your favorite.
1. EPA fuel efficiency calculations. Actual mileage will vary depending on your choices, the road’s conditions, your driving style, and the state of your car. These projections take into account the EPA’s updated coefficients starting with some models from 2017.
In This Article...
What variations exist in the Kia Forte?
There are six trim levels for the 2021 Kia Forte: Kia Forte Price By Trim Level: FE.2021
- The FE costs $17,890.
- The LXS costs $19,390.
- The GT-Line costs $20,490.
- The EX costs $23,090.
- The GT costs $22,790.
- The GT Manual costs $23,390.
Key Points
- The Kia Forte is a reasonably priced compact car with a lot of amenities that add value and a high level of dependability over the majority of its model years.
- 2014 is the Kia Forte’s worst year. With over 300 consumer complaints concerning turning signals that don’t work, airbags that don’t activate during collisions, and brake and taillight bulbs that keep blowing out.
- The 2014 Forte model is the subject of one investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into engine fires that can occur in a variety of non-crash-related situations.
- From 2011 to 2014, the Forte was the subject of seven investigations and several complaints concerning airbags that failed to deploy during collisions.
- The 2016 Kia Forte is the best model; for the first time in five years, there was just one inquiry and one recall due to a potential trunk emergency release issue. Additionally, the 2016 model had 74 complaints as opposed to 159 the year before.
- The Forte has excellent dependability ratings and an anticipated lifespan of well over 250,000 kilometers.
What Kia Forte model is the best?
Forte GT Kia The most expensive GT has a turbocharged engine, a sport-tuned suspension, a USB outlet for wireless device charging in the backseat, rear air vents, LED lighting, dual chrome exhaust tips, paddle shifters, and bigger alloy wheels. It retails for $23,490.
What is the difference between Kia Forte SX and EX?
The 2.0-liter, 156-hp, six-speed manual and six-speed automatic are both standard on the EX. The 2.4-liter, 173-horsepower SX offers a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission as well.
What distinguishes the Kia Forte LX from the LXS?
Drive mode choose is standard on the 2020 Kia Forte LXS, while it’s an option on the FE model. The FE offers up to 31 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway, while the LXS has a maximum of 29 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway. This is the main distinction between these two models.
What does the LX on a Kia Forte mean?
The Kia Forte LX is the most economical model level available, with a starting MSRP of around $16,600. The Kia Forte LX’s engine is a 2.0-liter Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder with 147 horsepower, which it produces while aiming for good fuel economy ratings.
What distinguishes the Kia Forte Lxs from the GT Line?
While other manufacturers appear to be giving up on the sedan market, Kia is still committed to the Forte. It is a modern, beautiful vehicle that is also surprisingly useful. Additionally, as we approach 2021, Kia keeps packing the Forte with technologies that you might typically associate with expensive cars.
The Forte’s affordability is one of its main draws. This choice enables buyers to obtain an economical vehicle without compromising on desired features. It has provided a GT model ever since its facelift in 2019 that even appeases thrill-seekers.
Compare the 2021 Kia Forte FE vs Forte LXS Trim Levels. What is the Difference?
There are two different engine choices for the 2021 Forte, which is the first thing you should be aware of. The 2.0L four-cylinder engine for the FE, like the rest of the series, is capable of producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The only model featuring a six-speed manual transmission as standard is the entry-level FE. There is also a continuously variable transmission option.
There are only three paint options available to those that pick the FE. They are Clear White, Gravity Gray, and Aurora Black. This model’s exterior is rather plain and uncomplicated. It boasts 15-inch steel wheels, solar-control glass, body-colored side mirrors, and door handles.
The FE is illuminated by daylight running lights. Projector-beam headlights are included, as well as automated headlight control for enhanced convenience. For the FE, there are no external improvements available.
When you get inside the FE, you’ll notice woven fabric seat detailing and manually adjustable front seats. Single-zone climate control with manual adjustments is also available. Despite having power door locks and remote keyless entry, there aren’t many convenience and comfort amenities overall.
The entry-level 2021 Forte has more promising technological features. It sports an 8-inch touch screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. Also featured is Bluetooth wireless technology. Four speakers are included in the sound system as standard. To help you keep charged while driving, you also get two 12V outlets and a USB/auxiliary connection.
The FE has a respectable list of driver aids. In addition to a front collision warning, this model incorporates a driver attentiveness monitor. The list of standard features also included lane departure warning and lane-keep assistance. A tire pressure monitoring system and hill start control aid complete the rather advanced safety features. Naturally, a rearview camera is included as well.
Whether they like it or not, buyers who choose to upgrade to the LXS trim will come standard with the continuously variable gearbox. Under the hood, the LXS and FE both have the identical machinery. For a sportier appearance, the model does upgrade to 16-inch alloy wheels.
The LXS has two times as many exterior paint color choices. This trim is now available in Currant Red, Silky Silver, and Deep Sea Blue in addition to the muted options for the FE. The LXS also flaunts chrome exhaust tips and black gloss bumper embellishments.
Driver-selectable modes are standard on the LXS’s interior. For the FE, this was an optional feature. Unfortunately, the base model does not include the 60/40 split-folding capability for the back seat. The soft-touch top door panels are the final major cabin improvement.
There are no changes to the safety features. The LXS, which costs about $1,500 more than the FE, has fewer enhancements than the FE.
Compare the 2021 Kia Forte LXS vs Forte GT-Line Trim. What is the Difference?
The 2021 Forte GT-Line is intended to have a little sportier appearance than existing Forte versions. When it comes to performance and power, it is not more athletic. The 17-inch alloy wheels with a graphite finish contribute to the GT-more Line’s assertive appearance.
Currant Red or Silky Silver versions of this trim are unavailable. However, it does provide Fire Orange as a special GT-Line-only option. It also receives a gloss black rear spoiler on the trunk lid, sport side sills, and a sport grille. The body-colored side mirrors are swapped out with heated black ones in the GT-Line.
This trim has undergone a decent amount of lighting improvement. For instance, LED turn signal indicators are added to the side mirrors. Additionally, it has LED taillights and daytime running lights. This is the first Forte 2021 option to include fog lights.
The “smart trunk” that the GT-Line offers according to Kia is a convenience feature. The trunk will open automatically if you approach it from behind while holding your smart key. With this specification, a power sunroof is an option. This variant increases the number of speakers from four to six.
Drivers and front passengers in the GT-Line receive sport seats with faux leather and fabric trim. The only trim on these chairs with white stitching is this one. White stitching can be seen on the steering wheel’s flat bottom as well. The Forte GT-Line receives a leather-wrapped shifter knob as the last standard interior improvement from Kia.
The quantity of driving aids is the main difference between the LXS and GT-Line. This particular model includes lane-change assistance, a blind-spot monitor, and a rear cross-traffic warning. Customers will surely choose the GT-Line because of these added amenities and the more attractive styling.
Compare the 2021 Kia Forte GT-Line vs Forte EX Trim Level. What is the Difference?
Kia switches from a sporty design to a more upscale one for the EX grade level. With the exception of Silky Silver, it comes in the same colors as the LXS and retains the same performance features. The EX rides on 17-inch wheels, much like the GT-Line does. The distinction is that the higher trim matches a machine finish as opposed to a graphite one.
You can distinguish between the EX and other choices thanks to subtle exterior variations. It does not have the sport side sills or grille, but it does have chrome window molding. The side mirrors return to their original body color while keeping the heat and integrated turn signals that the GT-Line introduced. The power sunroof is the first trim level to be included as standard equipment. The EX receives a space-saving spare tire instead of the “tire mobility kit” that comes with the lower models.
Two significant improvements inside the Forte EX are the dual-zone automatic climate control and the rear air vents. Along with LED inside lighting, it also has a lit glove box. Sport seats and accent stitching are gone, but the faux leather trim is still present.
Both front seats are heated and ventilated, and the driver has 10-way power adjustment. Here, the leather-wrapped shifter knob is joined by a steering wheel. The headrests on the seats in the backseat are adjustable.
New technological advancements are made. The EX now boasts an improved infotainment system that includes voice recognition, HD radio, satellite radio, and an 8-inch touchscreen as standard equipment. The only trim that gives the touchscreen color is this one. Standard stereo equipment includes a 10-speaker Harman Kardon system. For the GT-Line, both of these enhancements are optional.
Kia goes further than that. In the center console of the EX trim, there are two more USB charging ports in addition to a wireless charging pad. The EX has no additional driver assistance features. Although it costs about $2,500 more than the model that came before it, the 2021 Forte now has a lot more luxury.
Compare the 2021 Kia Forte EX vs Forte GT Trims. What is the Difference?
The GT is the highest trim level available. This particular model has a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is unique and produces 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It comes with two distinct transmission options. Either the identical six-speed manual transmission found on the FE or a dual-clutch, paddle-shifted, seven-speed automatic are available. You receive a sport-tuned twin exhaust in any case.
For the GT, the sport grille and side sport sills are both back. The black side mirrors and trunk spoiler share the same characteristics. Kia decided to use 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels.
The GT can be divided into two sub-trims in several aspects depending on the type of transmission it has. In many ways, the manual cars are more luxurious than the ones with the seven-speed automatic. For instance, a power sunroof is a standard feature on the manual GT but is only an option on the automatic GT.
No matter what type of transmission the GT has, it has a less advanced infotainment system than the EX. Both the color touchscreen and the HD radio are gone. While automated variants return to having only six speakers, manual models can keep their 10-speaker audio configuration. Similar to the manual GT, automatics no longer come standard with the wireless charging station.
Sport seats are included with both GT models. These variants have red stitching instead of the white found on the GT-Line. On the steering wheel, this is also accurate. Both versions are devoid of the power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and both. Interestingly, if your GT has an automatic transmission, these amenities can be added again; but, if it has a manual transmission, they cannot.
The GT automatic has a few additional driver aids that are offered, but the manual does not. One is a stop-and-go intelligent cruise control. A second option is forward-collision avoidance assistance with pedestrian detection.
You might be wondering where the two GT versions rank in terms of price given how different they are. Actually, the GT with the automatic costs a little less than the EX. However, the most expensive 2021 Forte is the GT with the manual. However, it only costs $200 more than the EX and roughly $600 more than a GT with an automatic transmission.
buying advice
Compare prices online before buying a new car to avoid paying too much. Find out the price in advance before entering a dealership. The following free services are suggested by us: Car Clearance Deals, NADAguides, CarsDirect, and Motortrend.
These free sites will provide you the best deals and provide you with numerous price quotations from rival businesses. Before visiting the dealer, you will be aware of the best pricing.
Each model of the 2021 Kia Forte is reasonably priced and provides drivers with excellent value. Anyone who has the means to do so will skip the entry-level FE, which is fairly basic. The LXS does offer some nice touches, but not enough to justify its noticeably increased price.
However, the GT-Line has a more appealing appearance and has a lot more basic features. The clever trunk and blind-spot monitor make it a more family-friendly sedan. If you decide you cannot live without them, it can also be equipped with many of the extras featured on higher trims.
Customers who desire extra comfort features like heated and ventilated front seats must select the EX. Those who desire the more horsepower will also be compelled to select a GT variant. In the end, the majority of drivers will be content with the 2021 Kia Forte GT-Line.