2020 Kia Forte Tires: The Right Set For You

Sandy B
Dec 30, 2020

Your Kia Forte may be your favorite car, the one that can get you around with reliability and is so easy to drive. Yet, to keep it handling well, you have to ensure you’re buying the Kia Forte best tires on the market. Finding the right tires is a must.

What are the best tires for the 2020 Kia Forte?

These are just some manufacturer options. You have many others. Keep in mind that buying the right tires means looking beyond the lowest price. You also need to compare several models and a variety of options before you buy. The bottom line: Don’t buy tires without the features you need.

Best Tires for the 2020 Kia Forte

2020 Kia Forte Tire Closeup

Before purchasing the 2020 Kia Forte best tires, you have to know what type of tires are right for your location based on weather. You also have to consider the features important to you such as handling and the responsive design of the tire.

Touring – $175.99/Tire

Touring tires would be a solid upgrade from the basic all-season tires on the Kia Forte. These tires improve ride quality, giving you a smoother ride to enjoy. You’ll also note they are better at turning and keep the tires from bumping up and down on rough roads.

The key to remember about touring is that quality matters. Upgrade to grand touring for improved tread life over standard models. Better tread also helps improve overall traction in wet and dry conditions. That helps you enjoy a more comfortable ride on a consistent basis.

Your Kia Forte will perform much better when you invest in performance tires even at the highest cost. You may also want to consider choosing highway all-season tires if you use your car at high speeds often. This helps minimize the overall wear and tear on the tires.

Customers who buy these tires report improved results most of the time. That includes a smoother ride or more comfort on uneven pavement. They are not always worth it when it comes to tread life (inferior materials can make some tires less beneficial overall).

Performance – $137.99/Tire

From the basic vehicle tires on the Kia Forte, the next step up is a performance tire. These, like touring tires, do a good job of improving the feel and traction of the car. Performance tires are less expensive, though max and extreme performance can be much more expensive.

Performance tires give you more responsive handling. That means you’ll have more control over difficult roads and turns. You also can count on your tires helping you control your vehicle even when driving in rougher conditions. They do OK in wet weather, though they are not the best for actual snow.

What makes these tires a bit more high end in their ability to perform in wet weather is their larger lateral grooves. This creates fewer areas for the car to slip and slide. They also have better higher speed ratings than your average touring tires. That’s even better for performance.

Customer reviews of most performance tires are good. However, it is possible to get poor quality tires if you go for the lowest price. Customers with good results choose mid-range prices or better. They also noted buying tires with a better warranty to enhance tread life.

Winter/Snow – $173.38/Tire

Winter tires for the Kia Forte tend to be a very good option, especially if you drive in the North, where snow can build up fast. Snow tires like this have a very aggressive tread design with bigger treads, unique patterns, and deep grooves. That’s the key to their success.

These tires crunch the snow and ice and force it out from between the treads. As a result, the tire hits the ground itself and creates improved traction. It can also bust through compact ice if you buy a higher quality of snow tire. Winter tires can give you that extra protection you need.

Car Tire In Snow Closeup

The next consideration is whether to buy studded or studless. Studded have metal spikes and, where they are legal, can be good for deep snow and compacted snow. They dig in and help you hold on. Studless are still worthwhile if you buy a higher quality product for deep snow.

Drivers buying winter tires want superior results. Some brands have strong ratings for avoiding drifts and getting through several inches of snow without problems. They are also long-lasting tires with good wear life on the treads.

Track and Competition – $280.30/Tire

Track and competition tires are designed for those who typically take their vehicles out for some fun on the track. You can do this with your Kia Forte, believe it or not. Not many cars have tires that fit them like this, but for those who want to have some fun, why not do so?

There are several types of track and competition tires. Most often, you will not be purchasing racetrack or autocross tires. However, there are options for streetable and wet racetrack driving. The key here is to determine if you want tires that can handle wet weather as well.

When buying these tires, expect exceptional performance but short life span. These tires are getting beat up with every pass of the track. They do provide more nimble performance and can give you the thrill of a drive over paved surfaces. Some of these tires are suitable for street use.

Customers buying track tires expect top performance. Some brands do a great job at this. You should look for those with strong features, such as smooth tread and the ability to handle wet climates. Some tires rate higher because they are a name brand that adds value.

People Also Ask

Finding the answers to your tire questions is part of our job. Here are some questions we’ve seen about the 2020 Kia Forte.

Does the 2020 Kia Forte come with a spare tire?

No, the 2020 Kia Forte does not have a spare tire. It does come with a tire mobility kit. This kit allows you to patch a flat tire on the go. You can then drive it for up to 100 miles (in most cases) before needing to make repairs to the tire.

What’s the recommended tire pressure for a 2020 Kia Forte?

The psi for your tires depends on the size of the tire you have on your vehicle.

  • 195/65R15 91T tires: 33 psi front and back tires
  • 205/55R16 91H tires: 33 psi front and back tires
  • 225/40R18 92(Y) tires: 35 psi front and back tires
  • 225/45R17 91W tires: 33 psi front and back tires

This assumes you are buying tires that are similar in size and function to the original vehicle manufacturer tires.

How do you reset the tire pressure indicator on a 2020 Kia Forte?

The vehicle will automatically reset this indicator after you adjust the psi in the tires to the proper level. It may take up to 50 miles traveling at 25 mph or more for this to happen.

Auto Mechanic Checking Tire Pressure

You can reset the setting if this does not work. To do this, turn the car to the “on” position to allow electronics to come on. Do not start the engine. Locate the TPMS reset button located on the vehicle near the steering wheel.

Press this button. Hold it in place to wait for the indicator light to blink. It should blink slowly three times. Then, release it and drive the car. This should reset the specs after 20 or so minutes or a number of miles.

avatar Sandy B
Sandy B. has written for The New York Times, Cleveland Magazine, and many online publications. She long-ago ditched the minivan life for the off-roading Ford Explorer (and hoping to restore a Shelby Mustang!)
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