The Affordable and Advanced Features of the 2021 Kia Forte Near Santa Fe NM

 The second smallest sedan in Kia's lineup is the compact 2021 Kia Forte near Santa Fe NM, which can be an efficient, affordable, and unpretentious little car. Even though the base model is priced under $20 K, there are a surprising number of standard features included. A spacious cabin, advanced safety devices, and great gas mileage make it perfect for commuting.

But the Forte can also be a lot more than efficient and unpretentious, while still remaining affordable. It was redesigned in 2019, influenced by the stylish Kia Stinger sports sedan, and has a contemporary look that should stay relevant for some time. Upgrade to the GT trim, for more muscle and a more advanced suspension and you'll enjoy 201 hp from the turbocharged engine.

The five-seater Kia Forte competes with some really good contenders, such as the Mazda3 and Honda Civic, but it has advantages that they don't.

Performance & Efficiency

Delivering 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, the engine is a naturally aspirated (regular non-turbo) 2.0 liter inline 4-cylinder. It's paired with a 6-speed manual transmission in the base model Forte FE, but a CVT (continuously variable transmission) is available, and comes standard on the next three trim levels.

Fuel economy for the manual FE trim was estimated by the EPA at 27 mpg city, 37 highway, and 31 mpg in combined driving, while the automatic transmission rated 31 city, 41 highway, and 35 mpg combined. The remaining models with the base engine, LXS, GT-Line, and EX, are assessed at 29/40/33 mpg respectively.

The Forte GT makes 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque thanks to its more powerful engine, a turbocharged 1.6 liter inline-4. With it, a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission comes standard, but the 6-speed manual stick is available on the GT model for those enthusiast buyers who crave a more exciting drive.

If you keep the automatic in the GT, you'll get around 27 mpg city/35 mg highway/30 mpg combined in fuel consumption with the automatic transmission, or 25/32/28 mpg with the manual.

All 2021 Kia Forte near Santa Fe NM models are front-wheel drive, and have a firm suspension. Some road imperfections can be felt, but overall you'll enjoy a comfortable ride. Besides, what's a few bumps compared to saving your money? No matter which model you choose, there's no arguing that the Kia Forte's gas consumption won't empty your wallet.

2021 Kia Forte near Santa Fe NM: Technology & Features

All versions of the Forte, even the base FE, come standard with safety and driver assistance features that modern drivers have come to expect; like lane departure warning/lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, and even driver attention monitoring. Moving up to higher models adds auto high beams, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

In addition to the features listed above, the FE, which has a price tag that's less than $19,000, has Bluetooth, an 8-inch infotainment screen, power windows/locks, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and more. The touchscreen is easy to see and reach from the driver's seat, and is straightforward and user-friendly. Physical knobs remain below the display for easy audio and climate settings.

Prices increase with each higher trim level, but the starting price of the top-of-the-line EX is only $24,055, and is close to luxury level. The interior of the 2021 Kia Forte near Santa FE NM is packed with quality materials, especially the higher trims, and has lots of stylish touches.

Not only is the Forte a good sedan at a great value, Kia offers one of the best warranties around: a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. With everything else the Forte offers, and its excellent warranty, you really owe it to yourself to get an up-close look at one along with taking it for a test drive. Come on over to Fiesta Kia at 7400 Lomas Blvd NE in Albuquerque and let us show you the 2021 Kia Forte today!