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2017 Kia Forte vs. 2018 Kia Forte

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2017 Kia Forte and 2018 Kia Forte contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2017 Kia Forte and the 2018 Kia Forte.

When we compare the 2017 Kia Forte's and the 2018 Kia Forte's specifications and ratings, the 2017 Kia Forte has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for used cars. The 2017 Kia Forte and 2018 Kia Forte have the same fuel efficiency, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2017 Kia Forte's and the 2018 Kia Forte's specifications and ratings, the 2017 Kia Forte is a better car than the 2018 Kia Forte.

Pricing: A used 2017 Kia Forte ranges from $5,999 to $15,302 while a used 2018 Kia Forte is priced between $6,990 to $16,534.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2017 Kia Forte and the 2018 Kia Forte both lose 39.3 percent of their value.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Forte is 7.7 out of 10. Kia Forte is ranked 25 out of 37 Best Small Cars based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the Kia Forte is 7.6 out of 10.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2017 Kia Forte and the 2018 Kia Forte makes 147 horsepower. Both the Forte and the Forte are rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 449 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.

Safety Ratings: The Kia Forte has an average safety rating of 4 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.

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Model & Pricing
2017 Kia Forte
2018 Kia Forte

2017 Kia Forte
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2017 Kia Forte for Sale

2018 Kia Forte
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2018 Kia Forte for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

16600

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

20010

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

13995 - 35655

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

16800

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

20571

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

14395 - 39785

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

10737

Price Range:

5999 - 15302

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

13745

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

8104 - 24263

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

294

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

97892

# Good or Great Deals:

110

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

11722

Price Range:

6990 - 16534

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

15390

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

8856 - 27909

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

229

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

94363

# Good or Great Deals:

73

Kia Forte Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.7 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

8.5 / 10

Safety:

7.0 / 10

Kia Forte Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.7 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

8.5 / 10

Safety:

7.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2017 Kia Forte

Remaining Life Expectancy (years):

3.0

Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

3.7

Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

0.8 - 10.1

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.115

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Kia Forte

Remaining Life Expectancy (years):

4.0

Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

4.8

Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

1.8 - 11.1

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.115



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

3.77870535113996

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

3.4

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

0.9 - 11.7

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

3.8959113802252348

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

3.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

0.9 - 13.2

Kia Forte Rankings

Most Affordable Small Cars

4 / 22

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $20k

4 / 15

Best Small Cars for the Money

5 / 22

Most Comfortable Small Cars

10 / 37

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

11 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

11 / 37

Best Small Cars Under $20k

11 / 15

Most Reliable Small Cars

13 / 37

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

13 / 17

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

15 / 37

Best Small Cars for Tall People

19 / 37

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

21 / 37

Best Small Cars

25 / 37

Safest Small Cars

25 / 37

Kia Forte Rankings

Most Affordable Small Cars

4 / 22

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $20k

4 / 15

Best Small Cars for the Money

5 / 22

Most Comfortable Small Cars

10 / 37

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

11 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

11 / 37

Best Small Cars Under $20k

11 / 15

Most Reliable Small Cars

13 / 37

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

13 / 17

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

15 / 37

Best Small Cars for Tall People

19 / 37

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

21 / 37

Best Small Cars

25 / 37

Safest Small Cars

25 / 37

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

2017 Kia Forte Trim Levels

EX, LX, S

2018 Kia Forte Trim Levels

EX, LX, S

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

10 years / 100000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

10 years / 100000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

5 years / 60000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque:

132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.052 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque:

132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.052 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


25 / 34 / 28

Range (city/hwy):

330 / 449 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


25 / 34 / 28

Range (city/hwy):

330 / 449 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Available

Android Auto:

Available

Apple CarPlay:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Roadside assistance:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Voice Recognition:

Available

Adaptive Cruise Control:

N/A

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Paddle Shifters:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Available

Android Auto:

Available

Apple CarPlay:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Parking Sensors:

N/A

Roadside assistance:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Voice Recognition:

Available

Adaptive Cruise Control:

N/A

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Paddle Shifters:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

Available

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Available

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Forward Collision Warning:

N/A

Lane Departure Warning:

N/A

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Pedestrian Detection:

N/A

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Available

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Forward Collision Warning:

N/A

Lane Departure Warning:

N/A

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Pedestrian Detection:

N/A

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39.1 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

56.1 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.3 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.9 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

54.9 inches

Cargo Space:

14.9 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

96.2 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39.1 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

56.1 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.3 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.9 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

54.9 inches

Cargo Space:

14.9 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

96.2 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2811 lbs

Width:

70.1 inches

Height:

56.3 inches

Length:

179.5 inches

Wheelbase:

106.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2811 lbs

Width:

70.1 inches

Height:

56.3 inches

Length:

179.5 inches

Wheelbase:

106.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

15.0 x 6.0 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

P195/65R15

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

15.0 x 6.0 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

P195/65R15

Exterior Colors

Black

Aurora Black

Blue

Deep Sea Blue

Brown

Titanium Bronze

Red

Garnet Red

Silver

Silky Silver

White

Clear White

Exterior Colors

Black

Aurora Black Pearl

Blue

Deep Sea Blue

Brown

Titanium Bronze

Red

Garnet Red

Silver

Silky Silver

White

Clear White

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Gray

Gray

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Gray

Gray

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