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2017 Kia Forte

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.

Kia Forte
Pictured: 2016 Kia Forte Koup EX in Silky Silver, front right. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan, Koupe EX 2dr Coupe, Koupe Sx/Sx Luxury 2dr Coupe, LX 4dr Sedan
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
32 combined · 29 city / 38 hwy
Length
171.3–179.5 in
Curb weight
2,804–3,025 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 19% better than the average 2017 midsize car (26.9 MPG).
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints305 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 37 for similar models — most often about the engine.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2017 Kia Forte is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 1.6L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 180 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,906 lb (4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (29 city / 38 highway), 19% better than the 2017 midsize car average of 26.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,100 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 305 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2017

  • Engine dropped: 1.8L 4-cyl
  • Best combined MPG up from 30 to 32

Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Forte →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan179.5 in70.1 in56.3 in106.3 in61.4 / 61.8 in2,906 lb62/38
Koupe EX 2dr Coupe178.3 in70.1 in55.5 in106.3 in61.4 / 61.8 in2,870 lb63/37
Koupe Sx/Sx Luxury 2dr Coupe178.3 in70.1 in55.5 in106.3 in61.4 / 61.8 in2,983 lb63/37
LX 4dr Sedan179.5 in70.1 in56.3 in106.3 in61.4 / 61.8 in2,804 lb62/38
5 LX/EX 5dr Hatchback171.3 in70.1 in57.1 in106.3 in61.4 / 61.8 in2,912 lb62/38
5 Sx/Sx Luxury 5dr Hatchback171.3 in70.1 in57.1 in106.3 in61.4 / 61.8 in3,025 lb62/38

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Forte2.0L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 38 / 32+19%$2,100301
Forte2.0L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28+4%$2,400318
Forte2.0L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 34 / 28+4%$2,400314
Forte Koup2.0L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28+4%$2,400320
Forte 52.0L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 34 / 28+25%$2,400317
Forte Koup1.6L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM7)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 270%$2,500328
Forte 51.6L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM7)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 30 / 27+21%$2,500332
Forte Koup1.6L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 26-3%$2,600348
Forte 51.6L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 29 / 25+12%$2,700353
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.9 MPG2017 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2017 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10.3%
StandardElectronic stability control
Not availableForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2017 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash test — 2017 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2017 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD
Side crash test — 2017 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2017 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2017 Kia Forte (this car)32 MPG★★★★★3
2017 Toyota Corolla34 MPG★★★★★3
2017 Honda Civic36 MPG★★★★★6
2017 Nissan GT-R18 MPGNot rated0
2017 Toyota Prius56 MPG★★★★★3
2017 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport32 MPGNot rated0
2017 Hyundai Elantra35 MPG★★★★★4

Recalls (3)

Air Bags · Jan 25, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V031000 · 410,619 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Risk
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch · Aug 9, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V622000 · 253,074 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Oil/Lubrication › Pump · Apr 13, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V260000 · 4,069 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Risk
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2017 Kia Forte is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

305Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
23Involved a crash
10Involved a fire
21Injuries reported
40,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine145
Unknown Or Other49
Electrical System45
Exterior Lighting40
Fuel/Propulsion System29
Air Bags18
Vehicle Speed Control17
Power Train12
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/07: 124/08: 224/09: 124/10: 424/11: 225/01: 225/02: 725/03: 125/05: 325/06: 225/07: 425/08: 525/09: 625/10: 325/11: 725/12: 326/01: 126/03: 226/04: 126/05: 326/06: 126/08: 126/09: 226/10: 224/0724/1025/0225/0625/0925/1226/0426/08max 7

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2017 Kia Forte buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 145 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 45 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Exterior Lighting — 40 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 40,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Kia Forte. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Forte years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2024 Forte34182.7 in★★★★★026
2023 Forte34182.7 in★★★★★366
2022 Forte35182.7 in★★★★★128
2021 Forte35182.7 in★★★★★269
2020 Forte35182.7 in★★★★★078
2019 Forte35182.7 in★★★★★2150
2018 Forte32179.5 in★★★★★3136
2016 Forte30179.5 in★★★★★1138
2015 Forte30179.5 in★★★★★1260
2014 Forte29179.5 in★★★★★3421
2013 Forte30178.3 inNot rated5197
2012 Forte30178.3 inNot rated4283

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →