Why Are Kia Forte So Cheap

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Why are KIAs so inexpensive when they are regarded for having a comfortable ride, a respectable new-vehicle warranty, and lots of cargo space?

Each automobile owner has a reason(s) for favoring a particular brand’s model. While some people are seeking the excitement and speed, others are searching for a reliable car for their family. The features you require, how the car is made, and the brand will all affect how much it costs. While some purchasers aren’t concerned with the vehicle’s price, others will focus on the perks that come with the cost.

KIAs are affordable since the raw material for their car bodies is plastic. As they are designed to survive five to seven years, they have a short production line and a bad image as disposable cars. Another factor contributing to KIAs affordability is the cheap cost of labor.

The company’s entry into the United States wasn’t easy, and most people thought of KIA as a budget brand with subpar automobiles. But over time, the Korean business has worked to disprove these allegations by spending money on production and research to demonstrate KIA’s dependability.

Continue reading to find out why KIAs are so affordable and whether you should buy one.

Here is what we learned after conducting our investigation and speaking with numerous professionals in the field of vehicle production.

Is the Kia Forte a trustworthy vehicle?

With a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, the Kia Forte is ranked sixth among 36 compact automobiles. Its great ownership costs are reflected in the $451 average yearly repair cost. The Forte is one of the more dependable automobiles on the road since repair needs are both more severe and less frequent than with other vehicles.

Cost

Compared to an average of $526 for compact vehicles and $652 for all vehicle types, the total yearly cost of repairs and maintenance for a Kia Forte is $451.

the typical annual sum for unplanned maintenance and repairs for all model years of a car. A vehicle’s greater average cost alone does not imply that it is less dependable. For instance, your car’s parts and labor may be pricey, especially if it’s a European luxury model, but if there are few serious problems and frequent service visits on average each year, that’s a sign of a dependable vehicle.

The typical annual frequency at which a vehicle is taken in for unplanned maintenance and repairs. This metric is produced by monitoring millions of distinctive automobiles over a number of years to ascertain the typical yearly visits for each make and model. Controls were included to prevent small, routine shop visits, such those for oil changes.

The severity element of dependability calculates the likelihood that a repair will cause a significant problem. The cost of a repair is assessed to be excessively expensive given the unscheduled nature of the repair if it is three times the average annual repair cost for all models. Due to their more expensive labor and component expenses, premium and luxury brands have a higher barrier.

Frequency

Compared to the average of 0.3 for compact cars and 0.4 for all vehicle models, Kia Forte owners bring their cars in for unplanned repairs 0.2 times less frequently each year.

How durable is the Kia Forte?

The Kia Forte may survive for many years and miles with routine oil changes and manufacturer maintenance. Currently, there are Forte models with more than 100,000 and even over 200,000 miles on them on the road! Take good care of your Kia vehicle to reap the benefits.

Drivers in Cleveland, Lorain, and Sheffield Lake, Ohio, may learn more about the Forte’s dependability by visiting Montrose Kia. Let’s get into the specifics now! Set up a test drive right away.

Kia Forte vs. Volkswagen Jetta

  • The Forte’s expected lifespan is fewer than the 200,000 miles that the typical VW Jetta can travel.
  • The Kia Forte receives a dependability rating from RepairPal of 4.5 out of 5, which is greater than the Jetta’s score of 4.
  • The Forte’s annual maintenance expenditures are $451 compared to the Jetta’s $609 per year.

Choose the Kia Forte if you want a vehicle with more miles on the odometer and reduced maintenance expenditures.

Kia Forte vs. Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is a solid choice if you want a vehicle that is both inexpensive and dependable.

Honda has a lot of experience with the platform because it has already undergone more than ten iterations.

When compared to the Kia Forte,

  • The anticipated lifespan of the Honda Civic and Kia Forte is 250,00-300,000 kilometers.
  • The Forte and the Civic both received 4.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal for dependability.
  • The average annual maintenance cost for the Honda Civic is $368.

When it comes to dependability, the venerable Honda Civic and the Kia Forte are almost neck and neck. But over time, it’s possible that the Civic will cost a bit less to maintain.

Kia Forte vs. Mazda 3

  • Less than the Fords’ 250k300k miles, the Mazda 3 can endure between 200k250k miles.
  • The Mazda 3 only received 4 ratings from RepairPal, whereas the Forte received 4.5 stars.
  • The Forte costs $451 per year to maintain, compared to $433 for the Mazda 3.

When it comes to dependability and yearly maintenance, the Forte edges out the Mazda just a little.

Do Kia Forte issues exist?

What Issues Are Related to Owning a 2020 Kia Forte? Owners complain of broken door locks, failing airbags on the driver’s side, and gearbox issues like shift slippage and difficulty accelerating. The anti-theft system in the Kia Forte has received a lot of flak for its shortcomings.

Are Kia Forte repairs expensive?

Over the course of its first ten years of use, a KIA Forte will require roughly $5,805 in maintenance and repairs.

This is $1,291 less than the industry average for popular sedan models. Additionally, there is a 17.53 percent probability that a Forte will need a significant repair at that time. Compared to comparable automobiles in its sector, this is 3.97 percent better. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.

Are Kias costly to repair?

With an annual repair cost of about $474far less than the $652 average for vehicle maintenanceKias tend to be substantially less expensive to maintain than the average car. This is because they are an affordable brand with strong reliability ratings.

The sticker price of a Kia is just the beginning of the costs you’ll incur over the course of ownership, but you’ll receive a lot for your money. However, it’s essential to maintain your Kia properly to make sure it functions smoothly. Additionally, bear in mind that some Kias will cost more each year than others.

Is Toyota superior to Kia?

According to a J.D. Power research from 2019, Kia has the highest initial quality in the non-premium segment in the United States. The 2016 Kia Soul, 2016 Toyota Corolla, Prius, and Prius V were all rated as being among the most dependable vehicles on the road by J.D. Power.

Better: Elantra or Forte?

Although the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte are known for being affordable small sedans, they have more to offer than simply affordability. The 2022 Hyundai Elantra has recently undergone a facelift and sports striking looks and new engines. With the aid of an upgrade for this model year, the 2022 Kia Forte perseveres and gains a sharp new appearance and improved driver assistance technologies. Which should you purchase, then? Learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of each car by continuing to read.

Hyundai Elantra Advantage: Fuel Economy

The 2022 Elantra has good fuel efficiency. With the original 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, it achieves 31-33/41-43 mpg in the city and highway, while the improved 1.6-liter turbo-four achieves 25-28/34-36 mpg. The Elantra Hybrid, which was introduced for 2021, would likely be your choice if you tend to be a little bit of a fuel miser. Depending on the trim, this car gets 49-53/52-56 mpg on the city/highway.

The Kia Forte’s numbers are significantly lower. Depending on the model, the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine achieves 29-31/39-41 mpg. If you choose the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, your mileage will increase to 22-27/31-35 mpg. There isn’t a hybrid option offered.

Hyundai Elantra Advantage: Technology

The interior of the Forte is stylish and practical, and has recently undergone improvement. It has new optional SynTex faux leather seats, standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen. A 10.3-inch touchscreen is an optional feature on both variants. However, the Elantra’s interior appears fresher and more modern. Hyundai also offers a small sedan with a digital key function that enables Android smartphones or NFC key cards to be used to unlock the car.

Hyundai Elantra Advantage: CVT Tuning

We have criticized the Forte’s optional CVT transmission in previous evaluations. The CVT “sucks the vitality out of the powerplant,” to put it frankly. Thankfully, the CVT in the Elantra avoids the same fate. As we highlighted in our First Drive review, it is quiet and responsive.

Kia Forte Advantage: Starting Price

Choose the Forte over the Elantra if you want a compact sedan at the lowest feasible price. The base Kia is less expensive than the base Elantra, which costs $20,875, starting at little over $20,085. When fitted with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, the sporty Forte GT is also significantly less expensive than the Elantra equivalent. In comparison to the Elantra N Line, which costs $26,375, prices for the 201-hp Forte GT start at $24,485.

Hyundai Elantra: Manual Transmission Availability

Both the Kia Forte GT and the Hyundai Elantra N Line grades come with a six-speed manual transmission. Except for when both vehicles are in their sporty 201-hp configurations, the Forte is more cheap than the Elantra in practically every trim level. Compared to the somewhat more cheap six-speed Elantra N Line, which costs $25,275, the Forte GT is more expensive with a manual transmission ($25,485). Due to the regular six-speed gearbox’s discontinuation after the 2021 model year, buyers who choose the base Forte FE trim are no longer able to manually shift the vehicle’s gears.

Kia Forte Advantage: Cargo Space

With 15.3 feet of cubic space as opposed to 14.2 feet for the Elantra, the Forte provides a little bit more cargo area. The Elantra, though, has the edge when it comes to back legroom, another important factor. In comparison to the Forte’s 35.7 inches, the rear passengers have 38.0 inches to spread out.

The Verdict

The smoother ride and more contemporary interior offered by the Hyundai Elantra, in our opinion, will appeal to the majority of purchasers. However, the Forte is a good option if you’re seeking for a new car that’s reasonably priced and equipped with a wide range of safety technology.

Are Kia engines trustworthy?

Yes, Kia reliability is above average, to put it succinctly. Even though Kia had a bad reputation when it initially entered the US market about 20 years ago, a lot has changed since then. Currently, the brand is rated 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing third out of 32 brands of automobiles.

RepairPal uses driver-reported information on brand average yearly repair costs, the frequency of unexpected repairs, and the seriousness of needed repairs to calculate dependability scores. Kias and other vehicles with high RepairPal reliability ratings are less likely to experience frequent mechanical problems.

Kia offers one of the greatest new car warranties in the business as a guarantee for the dependability of its vehicles. Kia significantly outperforms the industry standard of three years for bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years for the powertrain. The Kia guarantee comprises a ten-year powertrain warranty as well as a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Your Kia should last for at least ten years if you follow up with routine maintenance. If not, the majority of significant problems are probably covered by warranty.

Kia Factory Warranty

One of the best manufacturer warranties in the industry is offered by Kia. A new Kia vehicle includes:

  • 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty for five years.
  • Powertrain warranty of 10 years and 100,000 miles
  • Warranty against perforation for 5 years and 100,000 miles
  • Roadside assistance coverage for 5 years and 60,000 miles

Kia J.D. Power Awards

Kia has received numerous J.D. Power honors for a variety of automobiles. The Kia Soul, Forte, Sorento, and Sedona, for instance, each received the Highest Quality award that year. A J.D. Power Dependability award was additionally given to the 2016 Kia Soul in 2019. This prize takes into account issues with used cars that are three years old.