Kia Forte vs. Kia Forte5
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Forte and Kia Forte5 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 Kia Forte and the Kia Forte5.
When comparing the Kia Forte's and the Kia Forte5's specifications and ratings, the Kia Forte has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Kia Forte5 has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. The Kia Forte and Kia Forte5 have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Kia Forte's and the Kia Forte5's specifications and ratings, the Kia Forte5 is a better car than the Kia Forte.
Pricing: A used 2018 Kia Forte ranges from $8,785 to $17,395 while a used 2018 Kia Forte5 is priced between $10,718 to $18,995.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Forte’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Kia Forte5 base engine makes 164 horsepower. Both the Forte and the Forte5 are rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 449 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Forte5 has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, and cargo space. The Kia Forte and Kia Forte5 are comparable in regards to front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Kia Forte has an average safety rating of 4 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$16,800
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$20,571
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,395 - $39,785
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$18,300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$13,145
Price Range:
$8,785 - $17,395
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$17,195
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$9,985 - $30,573
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
364
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
88,618
# Good or Great Deals:
142
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$14,859
Price Range:
$10,718 - $18,995
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
15
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
71,203
# Good or Great Deals:
7
Kia Forte Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Kia Forte5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Forte
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
5.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
3.1 - 8.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
7.4%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Forte5
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
2.1%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 16.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.3
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Kia Forte Rankings
Ranking
7 out of / 24Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 21Ranking
16 out of / 21Ranking
24 out of / 43Ranking
25 out of / 43Ranking
27 out of / 43Ranking
27 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Kia Forte5 Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Forte Trim Levels
EX, LX, S
Kia Forte5 Trim Levels
EX, LX, SX
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):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
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:
164 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
151 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.056 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:
Automatic
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
Power Lift Gate:
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
Parking Sensors:
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
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
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:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
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
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
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 Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
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 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:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.9 inches
Cargo Space:
23.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
121.4 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:
2928 lbs
Width:
70.1 inches
Height:
57.1 inches
Length:
171.3 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 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 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Blue
Deep Sea Blue
Brown
Titanium Bronze
Red
Garnet Red
Silver
Silky Silver
White
Clear White
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black
Blue
Gravity Blue
Brown
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Silky Silver
White
Clear White / Snow White Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
