The 2019 Kia Forte was revealed earlier this year and although it doesn’t look much different from its predecessor it certainly drives different. This is particularly true given the compact sedan’s 35 mpg impressive mileage. Kia has shifted from the CVT automatic transmission found in almost all modern vehicles to a revolutionary IVT technology.
The engine inside the car is the same as the one found in the previous model. The 2.0-liter I-4 makes the same 147 hp and 132 lb-ft torque but delivers an EPA certified mileage of 31-41-35 mpg. The performance versions are not bad in any sense; they deliver a fuel economy of 30-40-34 mpg. This is about 1 mile better mileage in every segment than the 2018 model.
The engine can be manually controlled using a 6-speed transmission, however, with the manual gears, the fuel economy drops to 27-37-31. That is still better considering 2018’s manual drive’s fuel economy. The most powerful Forte’s engine, GDI, will not be available for the 2019 model.
As for design, the 2019 Kia Forte imitates the Kia Stinger. The front-grille is minimalistic but it is extremely well accentuated with the wide bulging headlights. A few humble and subtle lines on the side perfect the simple yet sporty look.
The new Forte from KIA will be available by the end of this year.