2018 Kia Forte EX
All photo credits
- Photo: 2016 Kia Forte5 EX, front right by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Kia K3 YD FL black (1) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2017 Kia Forte by DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2016 Kia Forte5 EX, rear right by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Kia Forte 2014 interior MIAS by Shadiac, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2018 Kia Forte EX is a 164-hp 2.0-liter with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $21,700 MSRP and is rated at 32 mpg combined.
It makes 164 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 29 mpg city and 37 mpg highway (32 mpg combined).
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $21,700 |
| MSRP with Destination | $22,595 |
| Destination Charge | $895 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.0L I-4, Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) |
| Displacement | 1.999 L |
| Horsepower | 164 hp @ 6,200 rpm |
| Torque | 151 lb-ft |
| Valvetrain | DOHC D-CVVT 16V/V |
| Bore and Stroke | 81.0 x 97.0 |
| Compression Ratio | 11.5:1 |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| 3rd Gear | 1.834 |
| 4th Gear | 1.392 |
| 5th Gear | 1 |
| 6th Gear | 0.774 |
| Reverse | 3.44 |
| Final Drive | 3.065 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 29 MPG |
| Highway | 37 MPG |
| Combined | 32 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Unleaded Gasoline (Regular 87 or higher) |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | McPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Coupled Torsion Beam Axle (CTBA) |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Vented disc |
| Rear Brake Disc | solid disc |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 7.0J × 17 Alloy |
| Wheels Rear | 7.0J × 17 Alloy |
| Tires Front | P215/45R17 |
| Tires Rear | P215/45R17 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Ground Clearance | 5.3 in |
| Approach Angle | 15° |
| Departure Angle | 19.9° |
| Cargo Volume | 14.9 ft³ |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39.1 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.3 in |
| Legroom Front | 42.2 in |
| Legroom Rear | 35.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 56.1 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 54.9 in |
| Hip Room Front | 53.8 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 53.1 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2018 Kia Forte EX with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (10.3 % risk) |
Recalls
3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2018 Kia FORTE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jan 25, 2022 · AIR BAGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
NHTSA campaign 22V031000
Aug 9, 2021 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
NHTSA campaign 21V622000
Apr 13, 2021 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.
NHTSA campaign 21V260000
136 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2018 Kia FORTE
Owner Complaints
136 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Kia FORTE (13 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 8 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Engine | 57 |
| Unknown Or Other | 30 |
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2018 KIA FORTE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.