The 2021 Kia Forte Is the Least Expensive Compact Sedan
Let’s talk about compact sedans for a minute. Sure, we love crossovers and SUVs. But sedans are still relevant. They offer a traditional car feel and all the extras you’d expect. Plus, the fuel economy tends to be better. The handling is more fun and snappier, too. For many, having a trunk and an easy vehicle to parallel-park are also perks. And whether you prefer the subcompact, compact, midsize, or full-size variety, sedans are generally less expensive than SUVs.
MotorTrend recently put together a list of 2021 sedans. The ranking features a variety of sizes, all representing what the publication deems the most affordable buys. And one compact sedan you weren’t counting on found its way onto the list. The 2021 Kia Forte is not only a contender but also the least expensive compact sedan in the roundup. Let’s take a look.
The 2021 Kia Forte is the least expensive compact sedan
The 2021 Kia Forte comes in as the most affordable compact car on MotorTrend‘s “The 10 Cheapest Sedans You Can Buy for 2021.” But don’t mistake affordable for cheap or basic. That’s because the Forte is anything but ordinary.
You can get an eight-inch touchscreen, a menu of driver assistance features, and mobile device pairing standard. From the base model to the highest trim, you won’t spend more than $20,000 on a brand-new Forte.
The company the Kia Forte keeps
Some of the other sedans on this top 10 list venture into midsize and subcompact territory. The Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, Volkswagen Jetta, and Toyota Corolla all made MotorTrend’s roster of low-priced rides with prices starting around $20,000.
But toward the top of the pyramid of value sedans come the subcompacts, including the Hyundai Accent. And the number one subcompact sedan, the Nissan Versa, averages under $16,000 for its base model. But when you consider the Kia Forte‘s robust menu of extras and roomier size compared with the subcompact Versa, the best value may be with the Kia.
The value built into the Forte’s base model
MSRP isn’t everything, especially when you start reading the lists of equipment and features, Edmunds reports. The 2021 Kia Forte comes jam-packed with value for its super-affordable price. You have your choice of five trims: FE, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT.
In addition to the aforementioned standard equipment, the Forte is armed with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and a choice of a manual or continuously variable transmission. Standard driver aids include lane-departure warnings, forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention warnings.
What you’ll likely love about this compact Kia
Kia makes buying and owning a 2021 Forte an attractive proposition with a starting MSRP of $17,890. The Forte GT-Line gets a head-turning sporty style, along with fun extras such as a push-button start, alloy wheels, and LED exterior lighting. But in any Kia Forte trim, you’ll enjoy a peppy ride and an abundance of must-have technology. But your favorite part might be the low purchase price and cost of ownership thanks to the Forte’s fuel economy and Kia’s impressive 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
If you’re car shopping on a budget, doing the daily commute, or looking for a reliable sedan, consider test driving the 2021 Kia Forte. There may not be a better value than the one this compact car brings to the table. Though the Forte isn’t the cheapest, it absolutely delivers and still manages to be affordable enough for almost any budget.
