- Kia is giving its compact Forte sedan a makeover for 2022 that includes updated exterior styling, new wheel designs, and updated tech.
- Inside, a larger 10.3-inch infotainment display is now available as an option, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard.
- The 2022 Forte is priced starting just over $20,000 and will be on sale soon, Kia said.
Who says small sedans are dead? Not Kia. For 2022, the Korean automaker has freshened its Forte compact car with fresh styling and more tech to keep it in competition with new entrants such as the new 2022 Honda Civic and the updated 2022 Volkswagen Jetta.
Styling updates for the Forte this year include a revised upper grille that’s narrower than before as well as updated exterior lighting elements, reworked front and rear bumpers, new wheel designs, and a newly available trunklid spoiler. On GT and GT-Line trims, new LED fog lamps are recessed into the lower grille; those models also come with unique LED taillights.
Inside, the Forte is upgraded with new center console design that ditches the old manual parking brake for an electronic one, freeing up more space for storage. Faux-leather upholstery is now an option, as is a rear-seat USB port for charging smartphones. An 8.0-inch infotainment system is still standard, but it now includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A larger 10.3-inch display is now optional and comes with in-dash navigation.
The Forte’s safety cred also sees a bit of a bump for 2022 as several of its available driver-assistance features are upgraded this year. Basics such as automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist were already standard but a lane following assist feature joins the spec sheet this year too. The car’s automated emergency braking system has been upgraded to watch for both pedestrians and bicyclists and the rear cross-traffic alert system now can apply the brakes if the driver appears to be backing into an obstacle.
A new adaptive cruise control system is now available which uses navigation data to predict upcoming curves in the road and automatically slow the Forte’s speed in preparation. That feature is already in use on some Kia and Hyundai models and also monitors posted speed limits. In addition to this new feature, the Forte also can be ordered with a system that can warn the driver if it’s unsafe to exit the vehicle due to approaching traffic or bicyclists.
Powertrain and chassis components are unchanged. Most models are powered by the familiar 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). With this setup, the Forte delivered a lethargic 8.1-second run to 60 mph at our test track. Thankfully, the GT model remains a part of the lineup. It comes with a 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or a six-speed manual. With the manual transmission, the Forte GT managed a 6.7-second run to 60 mph in our hands.
Pricing for the entry-level FE model starts at $20,085, while the midrange LXS and GT-Line will cost $20,585 and $22,285 respectively. The sporty GT trim is set to start at $24,485. The 2022 Kia Forte should be rolling into U.S. dealer inventory soon.
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