2022 Kia Forte GT Specs, Price, MPG & Features

New-car prices have risen to unprecedented heights in recent years, making it more difficult than ever before to find a vehicle that is both affordable and enjoyable to drive. But Kia’s Forte GT, the company’s high-performance small sedan, dispels that myth.

GT models are the sportiest variants of Kia’s automobiles, and the Forte GT is one of them. In addition to a turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, the Forte GT has 18-inch alloy wheels, a firmer sport suspension, a performance exhaust system, and an 18-inch rear spoiler for added aerodynamics. Customers wanting a little more excitement than the standard Forte will be drawn to the dual-exit configuration, which is quite noisy at the cold start. A seven-speed double-clutch automatic transmission is standard on the GT Manual trim level. At the same time, a six-speed manual transmission plus Michelin Super Sport 4 summer tires are also available for $1,000 extra on the GT Manual model.

2022 Kia Forte GT Specs

• Price: $24,545
• Engine: 1.6 L Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
• Seating Capacity: Four Seater
• Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive
• Transmission: 7-Auto-Shift Manual Transmission
• Horsepower: 201@6000
• Torque: 195@1500
• Fuel Efficiency: 27 MPG in the city, 35 MPG on the highway, and 30 MPG combined
• Length: 182.7 Inches
• Height: 56.5 Inches
• Width: 70.9 Inches
• Wheelbase: 106.3 Inches

Also Check: 2022 Kia Forte Specs, Price, MPG & Features

Engine, Transmission & Powertrain

The Forte GT has a lot of torque steer, making it feel elegant from the get-go. In its market sector, it can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.4 seconds. Even if all of the seats are occupied by adults, the freeway’s power supply is still plenty. The gearbox delivers crisp, smooth shifts when the accelerator pedal is pressed steadily. However, the dual clutching gearbox’s flaws are exposed in slow traffic or on streets with many stop signs. In both forward and reverse, it has a propensity for stuttering or even bucking immediately after accelerating.

The gearbox was at its best when we drove the Forte GT into the canyons. It revs to redline with ease and makes quick work of upshifts. During braking, it automatically shifts down. The dual-clutch transmission’s characteristics may be fine-tuned further using the paddle shifters.

The Forte GT is ready to have some fun while cornering aggressively. The tiny vehicle maintains its grip on the road while equipped with all-season tires. A better-than-average performance on our skidpad of 0.87 g for small cars with similar tires was found during our instrumented testing.

Cargo and Comfort

The Forte GT provides a higher level of comfort compared to other cars in its class. The headrests are cushiony and unobtrusive, and the chairs have thoughtfully molded seats to provide comfort over extended periods. Only a tiny quantity of wind and the surrounding noise may be audible via the windshield. The temperature control, which is automated and has two separate zones, works well. The front seats of the Kia have ventilation, which is a nice feature, although the airflow isn’t as forceful.

The most significant criticism against the Forte GT here is its harsh suspension. Larger bumps are more difficult to smooth out with this machine. It works well on uneven pavement or shallow flaws. In particular, the rear suspension is plagued by inconsistent bumps.

The Forte’s acceleration is more than enough for daily errands. It took 8.7 seconds for our test car to get from zero to 60 miles per hour on the Edmunds test track. The CVT automatic usually works well, although it might sometimes seem sloppy. However, it’s too quick to lower its rpm when the throttle is slackened. It’s capable of delivering a tremendous amount of power.

We’re also not very thrilled with the Forte GT’s handling. On-center feel and steering weight are excellent, but there is minimal feedback. While the edges of the Forte are pretty level, irregularities in the mid-corner might cause it to seem jittery.

Compared to other vehicles in its class, the Forte is more comfortable. The headrests are soft and inconspicuous, and the chairs are well-contoured for long-distance comfort. Only a little amount of wind plus ambient noise may be heard via the windshield. The automated dual-zone temperature control works wonderfully. Kia’s vented front seats are a plus, although the evaporative cooling isn’t as strong.

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Forte’s firm suspension is by far its worst flaw. Larger bumps are more difficult to smooth out with this machine. It works well on uneven pavement or shallow spots. In particular, the rear suspension is plagued by inconsistent bumps.

With the Forte GT, you can choose between three driving modes: Comfort, Smart, or Sport. Change from Comfort to Sport makes the steering heavier and the throttle more responsive. Forte GT’s “talkative handling and superb skidpad balance,” according to Chris Walton, a road test editor. But he said, “My only criticism is that the gearbox isn’t quite sophisticated enough to downshift and retain a gear on the skidpad even now in Sport mode.”

Interior

Kia did an excellent job at crafting Forte’s interior. Using a wide range of materials lends an air of experience and refinement to the otherwise solidly built interior. The infotainment system is user-friendly, with tactile buttons for all of the features that are considered to be of the utmost importance. Adjustments may be made to the position of the driver’s seat and the part of the steering wheel.

The driver’s seat is spacious, with plenty of leg and shoulder space. Even drivers who are taller than average are not restricted in terms of available headroom. Even with the hard plastic seatbacks, the rear-seat knee space lags below class leaders. Still, only passengers above 6 feet tall will have difficulty with headroom.

The Forte GT, a compact sedan, has a lot to offer. Cargo space is maximized by the trunk’s large flat load floor and a big door. It’s also one of the class’s most prominent at 15.3 cubic feet. There are various places to store small items in the cabin to make it easier to keep track of everything you need. The Center console box, door pockets, and various storage trays are all included in this package.

All the anchors for kids ensure they are clearly labeled and conveniently located towards the tops of the seat cushions. Bulky rear-facing seats may impede front seat mobility because of the car’s limited backseat space.

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Exterior

This little vehicle is described as “extroverted, enthusiastic, and well-equipped” in the 2022 Kia Forte GT review. “Punching beyond its pricing bracket,” it adds. Apart from its abundant power and agile handling, the Kia Forte GT is praised for its “burbling” exhaust noises upon starting.

With its GT2 package & automatic gearbox, the 2022 Kia Forte GT from MotorTrends garnered only minor concerns from test drivers. They include stop-and-go traffic, uneven or bumpy terrain, and harsh braking in curves when operating the Forte GT.

In city traffic, the automatic gearbox equipped with a double-clutch “tends to buck during braking directly after acceleration,” for example. Also, testers noticed an unpleasant ride on rough roads and uneven surfaces owing to the Forte GT’s tight suspension, and severe braking into a bend led the rear end to slip out.

Test drivers found the Forte GT’s driving on smooth, twisting canyon roads enjoyable because of its firm suspension and quick powertrain. Even the back wheel sliding-out propensity proved helpful and contributed to the car’s liveliness during intense driving sessions. They believed the installation of the GT2 option improved the cabin from sporty but dated to stunning.

Trims and options that are offered in each model of Kia Forte

For the new Kia Forte in 2022, there are five trim levels:

-2022 Kia Forte FE: 

When it becomes dark, the automated headlights on the base model turn on. The High Beam Assist feature dims the high lights when other cars approach.

-2022 Kia Forte LXS: 

The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split to maximize storage space. The doors are accented with soft-touch trim. With its 16-inch alloy wheels, this vehicle stands out from every angle.

-2022 Kia Forte GT-Line: 

Sports Grille, Side Sills, and a Rear Spoiler are some of the aesthetic features that make this vehicle stand out from the crowd. The metal rims grow in diameter by a single millimeter. If a car has entered your blind spot, you’ll be alerted via Blind Spot Detection.

-2022 Kia Forte GT:

This vehicle’s sport-tuned suspension and twin sport-tuned exhaust systems will enhance your performance. Through the paddle shifters, the Dual-Clutch Transmission may be shifted more swiftly. The 18-inch alloy wheels complete the look of the vehicle’s exterior.

-2022 Kia Forte GT Manual:

This model’s top-of-the-line features include summer-specific Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, a power roof, and rear parking sensors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Chevrolet and Ford just abandoned the small sedan class in favor of compact SUVs, making it simpler to assess the segment’s standouts. The small sedan market may be diminishing. That’s why the 2022 Kia Forte stands out, thanks to its slick design, outstanding fuel efficiency, and a long list of standard equipment at a lower price than the competition’s offerings.

The Forte selection includes a fuel-efficient basic model and a sporty top-of-the-line GT model with 201 horsepower and a six-speed manual gearbox as an option. As part of the redesign for 2022, there are new grille and headlight designs, as well as a more aggressive taillight design. Standard equipment now includes navigation-based cruise control with a lane-centering system, among other new safety and driver assistance technologies. For drivers and passengers in the front seats, standard wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto provide a more straightforward and cable-free way to connect smartphones.