The 2020 Kia Forte is here, and it offers an affordable option to anyone looking for a compact sedan. Although it comes with a low price tag, the Forte offers great bang for your buck even when held up to comparable compact sedans, according to Kelley Blue Book. But what exactly is it that makes the Kia Forte stand out?

Features and specs

As it already unveiled a host of features in 2019, the 2020 Kia Forte hasn’t changed much. In fact, the Forte’s only major new offering is the addition of two trim levels: the GT and the GT-Line. 

Otherwise, the specs and standard features have stayed largely the same. The Forte has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that gets 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. While its hp is fairly low, this vehicle does offer excellent fuel economy — it can get up to 41 mpg on the highway. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay also come standard on the Kia Forte, making it fairly easy to stay connected.

What are the 2020 Kia Forte’s biggest pros?

Starting at approximately $18,855, the Kia Forte’s first major pro is its affordable price tag. In fact, it won the 2020 “Best Compact Car for the Money” award on U.S. News, where it is currently ranked fourth out of all compact cars.

However, affordability alone isn’t what gives the Forte its value. It also comes with Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is one of the highest in the industry — the only other compact car currently offering this much coverage is the Hyundai Elantra. This helps set the Forte apart from its competitors and provides an excellent option for any drivers who want a little extra coverage.

This vehicle also comes with an impressive array of standard safety features, especially given its price point. Similar to the 2019 model, the 2020 Kia Forte provides lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automated emergency braking, and forward-collision warning. In fact, the IIHS even named the 2019 model a Top Safety Pick.

The Forte also features an intuitive infotainment system with standard Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay even in the base model. If you go for the GT model, you’ll also get standard SiriusXM satellite radio.

Comparing the Kia Forte to its competitors

Compact sedans such as the 2020 Mazda3 are vying for the top spot in this market, but according to Kelley Blue Book, the 2020 Kia Forte is just a slightly better deal.

Almost every major competitor only offers a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, which immediately gives the Forte an edge. And while other vehicles may offer slightly better safety ratings — the Mazda3 has a five-star rating from the NHTSA compared to the Forte’s four stars — the Forte still ranks well, and it offers a generally superior set of standard safety features.

The Kia Forte also boasts a decent amount of cargo space when compared to two major competitors, the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla. It offers approximately 15.3 cubic feet of cargo room, and it was able to fit seven carry-on bags with all the seats up. The Civic and the Corolla, on the other hand, were both only able to fit six. Car and Driver also reports that the interior of the Forte has a sleek, minimalist finish, with plenty of legroom in the back seat.

Overall, while other compact sedans like the Mazda3 may boast equally attractive trims and pleasant rides, the Kia Forte offers the overall best deal — it is affordable, with good fuel economy, excellent standard options, and a great warranty.