A Week With: 2022 Kia Forte GT

With the price of used vehicles at record levels, the price of gasoline now pinned at more than $4 per gallon and an inexpensive battery electric vehicle impossible to find, the search for an affordable vehicle has taken on a new urgency for many.

Domestic carmakers, such as General Motors and Ford, with the exception of some specialty models, have given up on the passenger car market in favor of trucks and utility vehicles with larger profit margins. But Asian brands, such as Kia, have not. 

Overview

Kia continues to sell the Forte, which is one of the most affordable models in the market, and 2022 Kia Forte GT is one of the most powerful and nicely equipped versions of the model range.

Besides being relatively fuel efficient, the Forte is equipped with a full package of advanced driver assistance features, and while the entertainment system can sound a bit tinny, the cabin is very comfortable for a subcompact and the powertrain delivers ample power. 

The overall price of the model I drove was $26,840, making it one of the more affordable vehicles in the Kia’s growing portfolio, which also has won notable awards from J.D. Power for dependability, which is an important consideration in any vehicle purchase.

Exterior

The 2022 Kia Forte GT is built around the utilitarian silhouette of a four-door sedan. The Forte GT’s profile is a bit lower than some of its competitors, such as Toyota Corolla, and Kia’s stylists have taken hold of the car’s four corners and dressed them to give them and the entire vehicle more character. 

The work at the corners extends to the stylish wheels while the front fascia slopes downward to give the car a more aggressive nose to fit with the grille and the bold Kia badge. The GT version also has 18-inch alloy wheels, sport side sills and a rear spoiler. It also has LED fog lights, taillights and daytime running lights. The badges are also neatly done, particularly on the rear of the vehicle where the GT lettering is prominent.

Interior

Two of the things you notice as you slide into the 2022 Forte GT is the seat adjusts automatically both fore and aft as well as up and down, which is a most welcome feature in any vehicle. There is plenty of head room, which also is a plus in any subcompact. But there are more positives, including it appears there has been plenty of attention paid to detail. 

The interior is nicely furnished with a combination of pieces that look like carbon fiber, bright work and even metal floor plates to go with the GT badging. The interior also is laid out nicely with easy access to the cupholders and a large 10.25-inch screen for entertainment and navigation. The visibility from driver’s seat is excellent and the rear seat is large enough to accommodate adult passengers.

Powertrain

The 2022 Kia Forte GT I drove was equipped with 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and a 7-speed intelligent variable transmission. The GT also comes with paddle shifters and different drive modes, including sport. The combination produces 201 horsepower and 197 pound-feet of torque. 

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has given the Kia Forte GT a combined fuel economy rating of 30 mpg, including 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. There also is sport-tuned dual exhaust. An optional manual transmission is available.

Safety and Technology

The safety features on the 2022 Kia Forte GT include advanced dual airbags, dual front-seat mounted side and full-length curtain airbags and vehicle stability management and forward-collision warning. There are also blind-spot collision avoidance alerts, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and rear cross-traffic alert and parking distance alert. 

The Forte is also equipped with 10.25-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, smart cruise control and a Harmon/Kardon Premium Audio System. LED overhead interior lighting and dual climate control and steering-wheel controls also come with the GT.

Driving Impressions

With 201 hp, the 2022 Kia Forte GT packs a genuine punch, which comes to the fore when you get behind the wheel of the car thanks to its terrific power-to-weight ratio. Moreover, the software in the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission works smoothly and effectively with the engine, adding to the pleasure of driving Forte out on the highway. 

The ride and handling in the Forte GT is first rate thanks in part to the crisp steering and multi-link rear suspension eases the car over varied surfaces. The Kia Forte GT is great vehicle to drive.

2022 Kia Forte GT Specifications

Wrap Up

The 2022 Kia Forte is both practical and fun and it doesn’t cost a lot of money. But it is a compact notchback sedan, which many motorists in the United States seem to have found impractical. But with a price of $26,840, which includes the $995 destination charge, it’s very attractive and should prompt shoppers looking for a vehicle to re-consider what is practical and what is not. 

Not only is it affordable, consider Kia seems to have earned a reputation for dependability that once seemed to belong exclusively to Japanese brands such as Toyota and Honda.

2022 Kia Forte GT ­— Frequently Asked Questions