2019 Kia Forte Starts At $17,690, Gets New Engine, More Features

After premiering at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, the 2019 Forte is finally on sale.

Kia’s compact has an MSRP of $17,690, excluding the $895 destination fee. This represents an $890 jump over the previous MY, reports CarsDirect, but the premium is justified as the 2019 Forte now has more standard features.

Among the equipment offered at no extra cost are the dusk-sensing headlamps, 8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration and a 3.5-inch LCD supervision cluster. The car benefits from Forward Collision-Avoidance Assistance and Lane Departure Warning on all grades, and it can be specced with a wireless charging pad, ventilated front seats and a Harman/Kardon premium sound system.

Also Read: Review: 2018 Kia Forte5 SX With 201HP Turbo Is Not A Hot Hatch, But That’s OK

Powering the 2019 Forte is a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 hp (149 PS / 110 kW) and 132 lb-ft (179 Nm) of torque that comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. Opting for the CVT means paying an extra $900, or $100 less compared to last year’s optional six-speed auto.

Next comes the 2019 Forte LXS, which starts at $19,985, destination fee included, followed by the Forte S, from $21,085, and the range-topping EX, which will set you back for at least $22,885. The latter two are $790 and $290 more expensive than the 2018 models, respectively.