Close 2021 Kia Forte
Every so often, vehicles get completely overhauled and refreshed, which always leads to excitement. For example, when the Kia Forte was newly designed for 2020, fans anxiously awaited and were pleasantly surprised at its release. The Stinger-inspired exterior brought a fresh and sporty vibe to the Forte for that year, and the same design continues into 2021. In fact, if you have not experienced one of the newer, redesigned Fortes, the all-new 2021 Kia Forte will open up a whole new world of expectations about what an affordable car can and should offer buyers. Today, we are going to explore all of its excellence.
- MSRP: $17,890
- Horsepower: 147-201 HP
- Torque: 132-195 lb-ft
- Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 31/41 MPG
Trims
The Base Model
The 2021 Kia Forte pricing begins at $17,890 for the base, or FE, trim. Highlights of the FE trim include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic headlights, and a rearview camera. This trim comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that gets up to 27 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway with a six-speed manual transmission, and 31 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway with an automatic transmission. Driver-assisted safety features are numerous at entry-level pricing, with auto emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning, and electronic stability control all included.
The Middles
Next in line is the LXS trim, which starts at a price of $19,390. All the features of the FE trim are included. However, additional features like parking guidance for the rearview camera, black gloss accents for the sport bumpers, a 60/40 split rear seat, and 16-inch alloy wheels are upgrades to the appearance and convenience. This is equipped with the automatic transmission, which allows for fuel efficiency of 29 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway.
For the mid-range, the sporty GT-Line is priced at $20,490 to start. Features from the two entry-level trims are included, with upgrades to the appearance like 17-inch alloy wheels, a sport grille, spoiler, and side sills. Interior appearance upgrades include the flat-bottom steering wheel, which is wrapped in leather, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and sport seats upholstered in artificial leather with white stitching. A smart key paired to a push-button start system, UVO voice-recognition, and rear cross-traffic collision warning are all added to the list of notable features.
Luxury-oriented features are equipped in the EX trim, which starts at a price of $23,090. The appearance reverts back to that of the LXS, but it retains the 17-inch alloy wheels and artificial leather seats. Upgrades such as the smart trunk, which opens when your smart key is close enough, dual-zone automatic climate control, ten-way powered front seats with lumbar support, and an upgraded Harmon Kardon audio system are part of the standard equipment.
Absolute Luxury Performance
Finally, the sport-tuned GT trim is slightly less than the EX at a starting price of $22,690. Not to be confused with the appearance-oriented GT-Line, the GT trim incorporates a different engine, shocks, and brakes to deliver a sport-oriented driving experience. All the features of the GT-Line are included, but upgrades are, of course, made.
These upgrades, first and foremost, include the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that will produce up to 201 hp. A dual-clutch automatic transmission offers seven speeds and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Other upgrades to the GT trim are a sport-tuned suspension and dual exhaust, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and fog lights, alloy sport pedals, and red stitching on the sport seats. This is the fully-equipped, fun-to-drive trim; however, all of these offerings are worth a look.
Interior and Exterior
Inside the Forte
The quality of styling of the Forte is clean and sensible in the cabin, rather than overstated. Comfortable seats and armrests afford plenty of support for longer trips, while the sleek dashboard lays out all the necessary dials and knobs in an organized design. Materials come across as thoughtfully placed and chosen, with the conscious effort put into an attractive and orderly atmosphere.
In the driver’s seat accessed by the remote keyless entry, a tilting and telescoping steering wheel and six-way adjustable seats accommodate your level of comfort. Steering wheel-mounted controls for the audio system and cruise control are logically placed in the center spoke, and the illuminated ignition will make it simple to start the vehicle. Selectable drive modes allow the vehicle to respond to the feel of the road, and the trip computer will keep track of fuel, driving range, and travel distance. With this technology and all creature comforts, the inside of the vehicle is one of its best attributes. That is not to say that the exterior is not one of a kind, though.
The Forte's Outer Shell
For those familiar with Kia’s higher-end sports car, the Stinger, you may recognize the shape and styling in the Forte. Kia has confirmed the choice to incorporate the sporty sensibility of the Stinger into the Forte, which shifts the typical ho-hum nature of a sedan into a more youthful and thrilling ride. Similarities to the Stinger can be observed in the grille and body shape of the 2021 Forte, and both vehicles illustrate a classy, tailored appeal. The 2021 Forte is sporty without being flashy, though the GT-Line and GT trims offer an edgier sport appearance for those who crave it.
Standard features for the exterior are plentiful and satisfying. Solar-absorbing glass in the windshield, projector-beam headlights, vehicle stability management to maintain steering direction, electronic brake-force distribution for additional precision in braking power, and a steel frame built to withstand impacts are all included on every trim level.
Additional features such as a powered sunroof, sport appearance grille and spoiler, heated exterior mirrors, LED lighting, and mirror-mounted LED turn signal indicators are available as options or standard equipment on upper trim levels. In all, the Forte is luxury and performance equipped inside and out. Drivers will be pleased with it all.
Technology
Fun Technology
It’s rare to find a sedan so affordable with such thoughtful technology included even at the entry-level trims. Every trim of the 2021 Kia Forte will include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with Bluetooth to allow connectivity with compatible smartphones. This convenience means your phone will respond to voice commands while you drive so you can keep your hands on the wheel. Keep your phones charged with dual 12-volt charging ports, and connect to the vehicle’s audio system through the USB port. Upper trims will add two more charging ports for the rear seats, located in the center console.
The 8-inch touchscreen display located in the center stack is where you access all your in-vehicle apps to control infotainment like phone integration, audio system controls, AM/FM radio, and audio streaming via Bluetooth. Upper trims will add Kia’s UVO link, which utilizes voice commands for navigation and the HD radio system. The specialized link to your smartphone allows for planning points of interest ahead of time, which can be added to the turn-by-turn directions in the navigation system. Sirius XM Traffic helps navigate around potential slow-downs with traffic on roadways, and Sirius XM Radio will keep you entertained while you drive. You will never be bored in the Forte.
Safety Technology
Safety features on the 2021 Kia Forte cover a wide range of standard equipment for all trims, from interior airbags to driver-assisted technology. Traction and stability control are delivered via several systems on the Forte, and each system will sense the need for electronically-enhanced braking, steering, and wheel spin control. Child safety features like rear door locks, an internal trunk release, and the LATCH system for child seat tethers are all standard.
As we look deeper, technology plays an even more serious role in the new Kia Forte, with driver-assisted safety features adding to the design. To help avoid accidents, features like blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision warning, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and driver attention warning can all electronically alert the driver of potential impacts. With these technologies, and even more, the 2021 Forte is not only one of the most entertaining vehicles on the road, but one of the safest, too.
Visit Allentown Kia Today!
When you’re ready to test drive the new 2021 Kia Forte, come to us at Allentown Kia in Allentown, PA. Our dealership serves the wider Philadelphia region in purchasing and servicing the Kia vehicles they love. Our friendly sales staff will guide you through the process of finding the perfect Kia to match your needs, and our financing team can connect you with the perfect plan for purchasing your Kia so you can drive it home.
Additionally, once you have the keys to your new vehicle, Allentown Kia will take excellent care of your vehicle for years to come when you bring it to us for servicing and regular maintenance. With all of that said, if you are ready to jump behind the wheel of a new Kia Forte or another one of the excellent vehicles in the Kia lineup, give us a call or stop by. From SUVs to sedans, we have something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? We look forward to seeing you soon!
