2018 Kia Forte Review: Reliable Small Car With Average Ownership Costs As It Ages

The 2018 Kia Forte lasts around 200,000 miles with some minor check engine light and A/C system issues. At $14,850 to $22,850, it’s a great value for a compact car with a reasonably comfortable interior for its size.

Is the 2018 Kia Forte a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – 2018 is a good year for the Kia Forte since it has decent reliability ratings along with an upscale interior. Owner reviews praise the low fuel costs, long ten-year warranty, along with the available safety technology.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are nice for a small car, the seats are supportive on longer drives, cargo space is also good in both the sedan and hatchback.
• Reliability 8/10 – There are no major problems with the 2018 Forte. Avoid models from 2010–2015 which have a lot of engine issues, while 2016–2022 are more reliable.
• Performance 7/10 – All of the four-cylinder engines available offer decent efficiency, but none of them are very fast.
• Safety 8/10 – The 2018 Forte is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. Optional upgrades include a rearview camera, lane keep assist, along with automatic emergency braking.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 32 MPG, giving 422 miles of range out of the 13.2 gallon tank. Gas costs are $17 cheaper than average at $165 per month.
• Value 8/10 – The 2018 Kia Forte is cheaper than many other compact cars while offering a lot of good features, making it a great value for shoppers.

What Do Critics Say About the Kia Forte?

• Consumer Reports says the 2018 Kia Forte’s nicely finished interior makes it one of the top-rated small cars with high owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds rates the Forte at 4/5, enjoying the straightforward touchscreen interface, but doesn’t like the firm ride quality.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the 2018 Forte a 4.3/5, praising the comfortable and well-equipped cabin, but owners don’t like the lack of all-wheel drive.

What Common Problems Does the 2018 Kia Forte Have?

Common problems found on the 2018 Kia Forte include a check engine light, weak A/C flow, along with some alarm system issues. Overall, these problems are similar to other small cars on the market, leading to average repair bills as they age.

A check engine light is the most widespread complaint from 2018 Forte owners, showing up at roughly 35,000 miles. There are many reasons that a check engine light may turn on, so you will need to use an OBD-II scan tool to read the ECU for any codes. The most common source of the problem are ignition coil failures, which cost about $350 to replace.

Weak A/C flow has also been reported on some 2018 Forte models within the first 50,000 miles. The blower motor is the most likely source of the problem when the A/C is still cold, but just with weak airflow. Replacing the blower motor costs around $750, depending on local labor rates.

Alarm system issues with the immobilizer also show up on some Kia Forte models at around 20,000 miles. The first thing to check is the battery in your key fob to make sure it’s not dead. If the battery in your fob is okay, then you may need to have the alarm reset. Most dealers can do this for around $100.

There are three recalls on the 2018 Kia Forte, which is similar to other small cars on the market. The most serious recall is for foreign particles in the oil pump, which can cause the engine to stall. Kia will replace the oil pump on affected models for free. Other recalls include the trunk emergency latch and air bags, which Kia will also fix for free.

How Long Will the 2018 Kia Forte Last?

A well-maintained 2018 Kia Forte can last around 200,000 miles, which is shorter than some other compact cars like the Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are slightly higher than average, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $567 per year.

As a used 2018 Forte reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history report, owners should be prepared to replace the drive belt tensioner for $175, coolant temperature sensor costing $275, along with the intake manifold gasket which costs $375.

How Is the Technology?

Standard entertainment technology is fairly basic, only offering a simple four-speaker stereo system. Optional upgrades include a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a more powerful stereo.

There are no standard safety features found on the 2018 Forte.

Optional driver assistance technology features include:

• Rearview camera
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Adaptive pivoting headlights
• Blind spot monitoring
• Forward collision warning
• Pedestrian detection
• Lane keep assist

Is the 2018 Kia Forte a Good Value?

Yes, the 2018 Kia Forte is a good value since it has a lot of upscale features for the money with a long warranty. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $14,850 to $22,850, making it less than a Honda Civic or Mazda3. When new, the price range was $16,800 to $26,100. Depreciation is similar to other small cars, losing about 8% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Kia Forte?

There are four main models of the 2018 Kia Forte offered, from the entry-level LX to the more luxurious EX, there’s also the sportier SX. The Forte comes as either a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback known as the Forte5. All Forte models come standard with front-wheel drive.

LX is the entry-level model with:

• Standard Features:
  • 15-inch steel wheels
  • Heated mirrors
  • Air conditioning
  • Full power accessories
  • Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
  • Height-adjustable driver seat
  • 60/40-split folding rear seat
  • Bluetooth
  • Four-speaker sound system with CD player, satellite radio, USB, auxiliary audio jack
• Optional Features (Popular package – Automatic transmission only):
  • Automatic headlights
  • Cruise control
  • Upgraded interior upholstery and trim
  • Sliding front armrest, rear seat armrest
  • Rearview camera
  • 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
  • Six-speaker stereo, Kia’s Uvo telematics
• Optional Features (Popular Plus package):
  • LED tail lights
  • Special alloy wheels
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel

S Sedan is a step up, adding:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• LED running lights
• Rear spoiler
• Chrome exhaust outlet
• Sport-tuned suspension
• Adjustable drive modes (including steering effort)
• Unique black cloth upholstery with white contrast stitching
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
• 7-inch touchscreen system
• Optional Features (Technology package):
  • Fog Lights
  • Sunroof
  • LED tail lights
  • Keyless entry and ignition
  • Lane departure warning and prevention
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Automatic emergency braking

EX has more features such as:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED turn signal indicators on mirror housings (and puddle lamps underneath)
• LED tail lights
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Ambient interior lighting
• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Dual-zone automatic temperature control with rear vents
• Standard active safety features: blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert
• Optional Features (Premium Plus package):
  • Sunroof
  • Power-adjustable driver seat
  • Adaptive xenon headlights
  • Navigation system
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Driver-seat memory settings
  • Forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking

SX Hatchback is the sportiest model with:

• Turbocharged four-cylinder engine
• 18-inch wheels
• Sport-tuned suspension
• Dual exhaust tips
• Sporty front and rear styling

Note: Hatchback’s LX and EX trims largely mirror the sedan’s features

What Engines Come In the Kia Forte?

• 2.0L Inline-4 (Base Engine): The base engine for the 2018 Kia Forte is a 2.0-liter inline-4, producing 147 horsepower at up to 32 MPG. It comes with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission. The 0-60 mph time for this engine is around 8.7 seconds.
• 2.0L Inline-4 (Upgraded Engine): A more potent version of the 2.0-liter inline-4 engine is available as well, offering 164 horsepower at up to 29 MPG. This engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 0-60 mph time for this engine configuration stands at roughly 8.1 seconds.
• 1.6L Inline-4 (SX Hatchback): The most powerful engine is a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder which makes 201 horsepower at up to 27 MPG. It comes with either a six-speed manual transmission or a dual-clutch seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Performance is decent, taking 7.8 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the Kia Forte Come In?

How Comfortable Is the Kia Forte?

The 2018 Kia Forte is often praised for its comfortable interior and smooth ride, making it a suitable choice for both daily commuting and long journeys. Inside the cabin, occupants will find well-cushioned seats with ample legroom and headroom, accommodating passengers of various sizes. The driver’s seat, in particular, offers adjustable settings, allowing for customization to fit individual preferences.

Noise insulation is decent, providing a quieter ride, and the suspension is tuned to absorb most road imperfections, providing a more relaxed driving experience. On higher trim levels, additional features such as heated and ventilated seats, leather upholstery, and automatic climate control contribute to enhanced comfort. While not necessarily matching the luxury levels of premium brands, the 2018 Kia Forte’s comfort features offer a pleasing balance of affordability and coziness, making it an appealing option for many drivers and passengers.

How Much Storage Space Does the Kia Forte Have?

The 2018 Kia Forte is a versatile car available in both sedan and hatchback configurations, each offering a unique amount of storage space to fit various needs. The sedan version provides a trunk space of around 14.9 cubic feet. This is a sufficient amount of space to accommodate items like multiple suitcases, a week’s worth of groceries, or even small pieces of furniture like a nightstand or coffee table.

On the other hand, the hatchback variant of the Kia Forte, known as the Forte5, offers even more flexibility with its cargo space. The hatchback provides a generous 23.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, allowing room for larger objects such as bicycles, a full set of golf clubs, or more voluminous shopping hauls. Folding down the rear seats in the hatchback can further expand this space, enabling the transportation of even bulkier items. Both the sedan and hatchback options offer a practical solution for various lifestyles and storage needs, with the hatchback offering more for those who require extra cargo capability.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The second generation of the Kia Forte was introduced for the 2014 model year, and will be replaced by the third generation in 2019.

2015: Uvo telematics system removed from the EX model, and a slightly more efficient engine offered.

2016: LX model available as either a sedan or hatchback.

2017: Small front-end styling changes, upgraded suspension on S model, adaptive xenon headlights offered, and updates to the 2.0L engine.

2018: No changes from earlier years.

2019: Fully redesigned for the third generation with new engines, exterior styling, and technology features.

2020: S model removed from the lineup and new GT and GT Line models introduced.

2021: GT models with a manual transmission now come with high performance tires.

How Does the Kia Forte Compare to the Competition?

The 2018 Kia Forte is a decent compact car, offering a relatively nice interior and some advanced optional safety technology for a vehicle in its price range.

The Hyundai Elantra is another small car which costs about $1,000 more. Both the Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra are built on the same base platform, although the interior is more luxurious in the Hyundai Elantra. We recommend the Hyundai Elantra since the better interior is worth the extra money.

The Honda Civic is a competitor which can be found for about $2,000 more. Performance is better in the Honda Civic since it has more powerful engines, while the Kia Forte has more comfortable seats. We recommend the Honda Civic since it’s more fun to drive, although both are worth testing to see which you prefer.

Do Owners Recommend the Kia Forte?