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Used car guide
Used Kia Forte: the years to buy and the years to skip
Every Kia Forte from 2010 to 2025, across 3 generations: what each year typically sells for (about $3,500 to $24,500), its crash rating, and whether it's a year to target or skip. The best bets are 2010, 2022–2025. Look harder at or skip 2011–2021.
2019–2025 Kia Forte
A roomy compact sedan with good fuel economy for everyday commuting.
Years to target: 2022–2025. Look harder at or skip: 2019–2021. It has a strong reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12,000 | Look harder | 4 of 5 | ~90,000 |
| 2020 | $13,500 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~75,000 |
| 2021 | $15,000 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~65,000 |
| 2022 | $17,500 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~55,000 |
| 2023 | $19,000 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~45,000 |
| 2024 | $21,500 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~30,000 |
| 2025 | $24,500* | Target | 4 of 5 | ~20,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- 2019: owner complaints spike (147, mostly the transmission).
- Theft risk for 2019–2021. Many key-start cars from these years lack an engine immobilizer. Confirm the free anti-theft update.
- The CVT can drone under hard acceleration, and the GT's firm suspension makes for a busier ride.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the LXS: it adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and alloy wheels over the FE. The EX adds heated seats, and the GT adds a turbo engine.
On the test drive
Ask whether the CVT fluid has been changed, and feel for shudder or hesitation when pulling away. Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: standard from the start of this generation (2019).
- Adaptive cruise control: optional from 2019, never standard in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: standard from 2022.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Corolla 2022–2024 · $18,500–$22,000
- Toyota Prius 2019–2021 · $19,000–$22,000
- Acura ILX 2017–2018 · $19,500–$22,000
Find one near you
2014–2018 Kia Forte
A well-equipped compact with good value, offered as a sedan, coupe or hatchback.
No year in this generation is clear of problems. Shop carefully. Look harder at or skip: 2014–2018. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | $7,500 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~130,000 |
| 2015 | $8,000 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~120,000 |
| 2016 | $9,000 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~110,000 |
| 2017 | $10,000 | Theft risk | 5 of 5 | ~100,000 |
| 2018 | $11,000 | Theft risk | 5 of 5 | ~90,000 |
Worth knowing
- Theft risk for 2014–2018. Many key-start cars from these years lack an engine immobilizer. Confirm the free anti-theft update.
- Road noise and a firm ride are common complaints, and you should listen for engine knock and ask about Kia's knock sensor update.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the EX: it adds the stronger 2.0-liter engine, heated seats and a rearview camera over the LX. CarPlay arrived on most trims for 2017.
On the test drive
Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: optional from 2017, never standard in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: not offered in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Corolla 2011–2013 · $8,000–$9,500
- Acura TSX 2011 · $8,500
- Toyota Yaris 2016–2018 · $8,000–$9,500
Find one near you
2010–2013 Kia Forte
An affordable compact offered as a sedan, coupe or hatch, with good standard features.
Years to target: 2010. Look harder at or skip: 2011–2013. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $3,500 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~170,000 |
| 2011 | $4,000 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~160,000 |
| 2012 | $4,000 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~150,000 |
| 2013 | $4,500 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~140,000 |
Worth knowing
- Theft risk for 2011–2013. Many key-start cars from these years lack an engine immobilizer. Confirm the free anti-theft update.
- It is dated and noisy, and key-start cars are targets for theft unless updated.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the EX: it adds power accessories, Bluetooth, cruise control and steering wheel audio controls over the LX, while the SX brings the stronger 2.4-liter engine.
On the test drive
Confirm the anti-theft update was done and listen for engine knocking on the 2.4. Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: not offered in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: not offered in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Find one near you
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Prices are typical dealer and private asking prices from used listings, collected in September and October 2026, for an average-mileage car. Years with too few listings are estimated from nearby years. Crash ratings, recalls and owner complaint counts come from NHTSA public records. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy. Spot something off? Let us know.