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2014 Kia Forte review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise

Kia Forte highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Comes with touchscreen and all the modern audio fixings
  • Comfortable cabin
  • Reasonable fuel economy

Cons

  • Suspension doesn’t always offer the smoothest ride
  • No Apple CarPlay® nor Android Auto™ 
  • Many newer cars offer better fuel economy 

Mileage (EPA estimate)

22 city, 29 highway, 25 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

Price
Year

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A solid contender

The 2014 Kia Forte is a compact vehicle with flair. Both the four-door sedan and two-door Koup offer households versatility and comfort in a still-contemporary package. A roomy cabin, uncluttered dash, and thoughtful options such as sliding armrests and heated seats deliver unfussy comfort. Along with its handsome good looks, the 2014 Forte’s two trim lines (LX and EX) both offer a good suite of infotainment and audio features. As for performance, its solid steering and handling are responsive and satisfying.  

All Kia Forte years

What is new for the 2014 Kia Forte?

  • Forte trims have been upgraded with Rear View Camera and Turbo Charged Engine as standard equipment this year.
  • A/C Seat(s), Memory Seat(s), Power Seat(s), Rear Seat Heaters, Remote Start, Smart Key, and Heated Steering Wheel features are now available as options on select trims.
  • The LX trim now comes with Power Mirrors, Power Locks, and Power Windows as standard equipment.

5 reasons to buy the 2014 Kia Forte

1. A variety of engine and body options 

The 2014 Kia Forte offers a few key options: the LX trim sports a 1.8L, four-cylinder engine with multi-point injections, while the EX carries a 2.0L, four-cylinder engine with direct injection. The 2014 Forte also comes in the classic four-door sedan style, the two-door Koup, and a five-door hatchback. Then, the LX offers a six-speed manual or optional automatic transmission. This level of variety means there’s something out there for you. What’s more, the 2014 Forte boasts precise steering and steady handling, regardless of body and engine.  

2. EX trim boosts comfort  

After the engine and body options come the trims. Look to the EX trim for a sliding armrest, rear-seat center armrest with cup holders, and leather-wrapped steering wheel for additional comfort. Other options on the EX include a 10-way power driver’s memory seat, a ventilated driver’s seat and heating on all seats, a sunroof, and push-button start. Both the LX and EX trims have 42.2 inches of legroom in the front, with a total cabin volume of 96.2 cu-ft.      

3. Good infotainment suite  

The LX and EX trims on the 2014 Kia Forte have an infotainment touchscreen with AM/FM radio, CD player, aux and USB ports, steering-wheel-mounted audio control buttons, and Bluetooth® connectivity for calls and audio streaming. As well, both trims have the same four-speaker stereo system, except that the EX amps up the audio with two tweeters. There's no smartphone app integration but the EX has Kia’s UVO service.  

4. Decent power and fuel economy 

Both engines on the 2014 Kia Forte get identical fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated economy of 24 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined for manual models.

The two engine types have notable daylight between them on horsepower: the 1.8L clocks in at 148 horsepower, while the 2.0L pumps it up to 173 horsepower. That distinction may not change much for city dwellers, but could make the EX more interesting for highway commuters.    

5. Handsome looks, inside and out 

The 2014 Kia Forte has sophisticated good looks. On the outside, the Koup two-door is clearly the sportier of the Forte family — but don’t let the word “sedan” throw you for a loop. Even the four-door Forte is a streamlined vehicle with a wide stance and elegant profile. The uncluttered center console and instrument panel add a less-is-more feel to the cabin. The front bucket seats with an optional sliding armrest and 60/40 split-folding rear seats show Kia thought hard about delivering comfort and versatility in an attractive package.  

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

The 2014 Kia Forte is a great car for the price. Customers like the gas mileage, the smooth ride, and the roomy interior.
4
Excellent

RepairPal gave the Kia Forte an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Kia Forte 6th out of 46 among Compact Cars.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Kia Forte

Kia Forte features and specs

SX 2WD 2D Coupe

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • CD Audio
  • Cloth Seats
  • Cruise Control
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Traction Control
  • Turbo Charged Engine
  • A/C Seat(s)
  • Cloth Seats
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Leather Seats
  • Memory Seat(s)
  • Navigation System
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Remote Start
  • Smart Key
  • Sunroof(s)

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

1.6L

Horsepower

201

Torque (ft-lbs)

195

Engine type

Turbo Gas

Fuel capacity

13.2

Wheelbase

106.3"

Overall length

178.3"

Width

70.1"

Height

55.5"

Leg room

F 42.2"/R 35.9"

Head room

F 38.3"/R 36.4"

Front tires

P225/40HR18

Rear tires

P225/40HR18

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2014 Kia Forte FAQ

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