Kia Forte

Kia Forte: which version to buy

Buy a Kia Forte 3 generation 1.6 DSG (201 hp, Robotic 7, FWD) if you want the strongest Gasoline Turbo sedan in this catalogue with a measured mixed consumption of 7.8 L/100 km — 0.6 L/100 km less than the same-engine 1.6 MT. Buy a 3 generation 2.0 CVT (147 hp, Variable, FWD) if mixed fuel use is the gate: 6.7 L/100 km is the lowest mixed figure among all Forte versions that publish it.

Buy a Kia Forte 3 generation 1.6 DSG (201 hp, Robotic 7, FWD) if you want the strongest Gasoline Turbo sedan in this catalogue with a measured mixed consumption of 7.8 L/100 km — 0.6 L/100 km less than the same-engine 1.6 MT. Buy a 3 generation 2.0 CVT (147 hp, Variable, FWD) if mixed fuel use is the gate: 6.7 L/100 km is the lowest mixed figure among all Forte versions that publish it. Buy a 2 generation 1.6 MT (201 hp, Manual 6, Coupe) if 0–100 km/h is the gate: 7.2 s is the shortest measured sprint. There is no single “best Forte”; the extra 54 hp of a 201 hp 1.6 over a 147 hp 2.0 costs 129 kg of kerb weight on the 3 generation 1.6 MT versus the 2.0 MT (1357 kg vs 1228 kg) and 0.8 L/100 km of mixed fuel (8.4 vs 7.6). Prices are not in this dataset.

Generations: which body and years you are actually choosing

Five catalogue generations exist. They are not five copies of one car.

• 3 generation, restyling 1 — Sedan, from 2021-11-01, stop date not measured. Three versions: 1.6 GDI MT, 1.6 GDI DCT, 2.0 IVI.
• 3 generation — Sedan, 2018-01-01 to 2021-10-31. Four versions: 1.6 MT, 1.6 DSG, 2.0 MT, 2.0 CVT.
• 2 generation, restyling — Sedan, 2016-01-01 to 2018-12-31. Seven versions, all FWD.
• 2 generation — Coupe, 2013-01-01 to 2016-12-31. Twelve listed versions (catalogue count field 13).
• 1 generation — Hatchback 5-door, 2008-08-01 to 2013-08-31. Twelve listed versions (catalogue count field 50).

Choosing a generation is first a body choice: Sedan (3 generation, 3 generation, restyling 1, 2 generation, restyling), Coupe (2 generation), or Hatchback 5-door (1 generation). Overlap of calendar years is real: 2 generation stop 2016-12-31 sits inside 2 generation, restyling start 2016-01-01. The two 3 generation names are separate: pre-facelift stops 2021-10-31; restyling 1 starts 2021-11-01.

Engines and specs: every named version

All listed engines are 4 Inline, Front, transverse, FWD. Rear brakes are Disc; front brakes are Ventilated disc. Fuel grade and boost differ; that is the buying split.

The only Diesel Forte in the data is 2 generation, restyling 1.6 AT 136 hp (1582 cc, Turbo, Automatic 7). Every other version is Gasoline.

Specific output from the given displacement and power: 1.6 Turbo 201 hp on 1591 cc is 126.3 hp/L on 3 generation 1.6 MT / 1.6 DSG and on 2 generation 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT 201 hp. 3 generation 2.0 MT 147 hp on 1999 cc is 73.5 hp/L — 52.8 hp/L less. 2 generation 2.0 MT 173 hp on 1998 cc is 86.6 hp/L. 1 generation 2.4 MT 175 hp on 2359 cc is 74.2 hp/L, almost the same specific output as the later 147 hp 2.0, with 28 hp more and 360 cc more.

Injection as labelled: Direct injection (direct) on the 201 hp 1.6 turbos and on the 166 hp / 173 hp 2.0 direct engines; Distributed injection (multi-point) on the 147/149 hp 2.0 and on 1.8 / 2.4 / naturally aspirated 1.6 124–130 hp. 3 generation, restyling 1 2.0 IVI is labelled Direct injection (direct) at the same 147 hp / 1999 cc as 3 generation 2.0 CVT, which is Distributed injection (multi-point) — same power, different injection label, different gearbox name (Robotic 7 vs Variable).

Performance and economy: what the extra horsepower actually buys

0–100 km/h is not measured for every 3 generation and 3 generation, restyling 1 version. Do not treat a blank sprint as “slow”; it is unmeasured.

Measured 0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest among published figures:

• 2 generation 1.6 MT 201 hp (1327 kg): 7.2 s
• 2 generation 1.6 MT 201 hp (1321 kg): 7.4 s — 0.2 s slower than the 1327 kg listing
• 2 generation 1.6 AT 201 hp: 7.7 s (both 1353 kg and 1321 kg listings)
• 2 generation 2.0 MT 173 hp (1279 kg): 7.7 s — same 7.7 s as the 201 hp Automatic, with 28 hp less
• 2 generation 2.0 AT 173 hp (1302 kg): 8.3 s
• 2 generation 2.0 AT 173 hp (1287 kg and 1321 kg): 8 s
• 1 generation 2.4 MT 175 hp: 8.2 s
• 1 generation 2.4 AT 175 hp: 8.5 s; 2.4 MT 167 hp: 8.5 s
• 1 generation 2.0 MT 156 and 158 hp: 8.8 s
• 1 generation 2.0 AT 158 hp: 8.9 s; 2.4 AT 167 hp: 8.9 s
• 2 generation, restyling 2.0 AT 166 hp: 9 s and a second listing 9.3 s — same 166 hp, 122 kW, 1998 cc, 1287 kg; 0.3 s apart
• 1 generation 2.0 AT 156 hp: 9.2 s
• 2 generation 1.8 AT: 9.4 s; 1.8 MT: 9.5 s
• 2 generation, restyling 2.0 MT 149 hp: 9.6 s
• 2 generation, restyling 2.0 AT 149 hp: 10 s
• 2 generation, restyling 1.6 AT 136 hp Diesel: 10.8 s
• 2 generation, restyling 1.6 AT 130 hp and 2 generation 1.6 AT 130 hp: 11.5 s

The Automatic vs Manual tax on the same 201 hp 2 generation 1.6: 7.7 − 7.2 = 0.5 s. On 2 generation 2.0 173 hp: 8.3 − 7.7 = 0.6 s (1302 kg AT vs 1279 kg MT). On 2 generation, restyling 149 hp 2.0: 10.0 − 9.6 = 0.4 s.

Top speed is not measured except: 1.6 AT 130 hp 195 km/h; 1.6 AT 136 hp Diesel 196 km/h; 1 generation 2.0 AT 156 hp 199 km/h; 1 generation 2.4 AT 175 hp 214 km/h — the highest published Vmax, 18 km/h above the 156 hp 2.0 AT.

Mixed consumption, lowest published: 3 generation 2.0 CVT and 3 generation, restyling 1 2.0 IVI both 6.7 L/100 km. Next: 3 generation 2.0 MT 7.6; 3 generation 1.6 DSG 7.8; 2 generation, restyling 2.0 AT 149 hp 7.4. Highest mixed among published: 2 generation 1.6 AT/1.6 MT 201 hp 9.4 L/100 km — 2.7 L/100 km more than the 2.0 CVT. 3 generation 1.6 MT mixed 8.4 is 1.0 L/100 km less than that 2 generation turbo Coupe at the same 201 hp.

City: lowest published 3 generation 2.0 CVT / 2.0 IVI 7.6; highest published 2 generation, restyling 1.6 AT 130 hp 10.7 and 2 generation 1.6 201 hp 10.7. Highway: lowest 2.0 CVT/2.0 IVI 5.7; 3 generation 1.6 MT highway 7.4 is 1.7 L/100 km higher.

1.6 AT 136 hp Diesel: city, highway, mixed, torque (Nm) not measured. 3 generation and restyling 1 0–100 and Vmax not measured. CO2 and eco class not measured on every version.

Dimensions and weight: kg per horsepower

Kerb / hp (only where kerb is measured):

• 2 generation 1.6 MT 201 hp, 1327 kg: 6.60 kg/hp
• 2 generation 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT 201 hp, 1321 kg: 6.57 kg/hp
• 3 generation 1.6 MT: 1357/201 = 6.75 kg/hp
• 3 generation 1.6 DSG: 1367/201 = 6.80 kg/hp
• 2 generation 2.0 MT 173 hp, 1279 kg: 7.39 kg/hp
• 2 generation, restyling 2.0 AT/2.0 MT 166 hp, 1287 kg: 7.75 kg/hp
• 3 generation 2.0 MT 147 hp, 1228 kg: 8.35 kg/hp — lightest sedan kerb, not the lightest per hp
• 3 generation 2.0 CVT: 1253/147 = 8.52 kg/hp
• 1 generation 1.6 MT 124 hp, 1160 kg: 9.35 kg/hp — lightest kerb in the set (1160 kg), worst kg/hp among measured pairs because 124 hp is the lowest power

Gross: 3 generation 1.6 DSG 1801 kg is the highest published GVW; 3 generation 2.0 MT 1652 kg is the lowest published GVW. Payload from the data: 1.6 MT 1762−1357=405 kg; 1.6 DSG 1801−1367=434 kg; 2.0 MT 1652−1228=424 kg; 2.0 CVT 1722−1253=469 kg — the Variable 2.0 carries the largest published payload.

Ground clearance: 135 mm on all 3 generation and 3 generation, restyling 1 versions that publish it. 150 mm on 2 generation 1.6 201 hp and 1.6 AT 130 hp, and on 1 generation versions except the 124 hp 1.6 MT/1.6 AT at 140 mm. 2 generation, restyling clearance not measured. The Coupe 1.6 sits 15 mm higher than the 3 generation Sedan (150 vs 135).

Tank: 53 L on 3 generation and restyling 1; 60 L on 2 generation, restyling; 52 L on 1 generation; 2 generation Coupe tank not measured. Highway range arithmetic where both tank and highway use exist: 2.0 CVT 53/5.7 ≈ 9.3 × 100 km; 1.6 MT 3 generation 53/7.4 ≈ 7.2 × 100 km; 2 generation, restyling 2.0 AT 166 hp 60/6.5 ≈ 9.2 × 100 km.

Wheels published only on 3 generation 2.0 MT and 2.0 CVT: 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 225/45 R17. All other versions: wheels not measured.

Rear suspension is a buying split inside 3 generation: 1.6 MT / 1.6 DSG Independent, spring at both ends; 2.0 MT / 2.0 CVT rear Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem. Restyling 1 puts Independent, spring at the rear on 2.0 IVI as well. 2 generation, restyling rear is Semi-independent, torsion. Front is Independent, spring on every version.

Which version to choose

If the job is the newest sedan and the 201 hp Turbo. 3 generation, restyling 1 1.6 GDI DCT vs 1.6 GDI MT: same 201 hp, same 1591 cc, same Turbo, same 53 L, same 135 mm, same mixed 7.8 vs 8.4 L/100 km as the pre-facelift 1.6 DSG vs 1.6 MT. The Robotic 7 saves 0.7 city / 0.7 highway / 0.6 mixed versus the Manual 6 and adds 10 kg (1367 vs 1357). Torque labelled 150 Nm at 1500 rpm on both restyling 1.6s versus 265 Nm at 1500–4500 rpm on 3 generation 1.6 MT/1.6 DSG — same 201 hp, 115 Nm less on the restyling label. Fuel grade moves from 92 (3 generation) to 95 (restyling 1). kW is 147 on restyling vs 150 on 3 generation. Those are the numbers that changed; prices are not measured.

If the job is the cheapest-to-run gasoline sedan. 3 generation 2.0 CVT (or restyling 1 2.0 IVI at the same 7.6/5.7/6.7). Versus 2.0 MT: the Variable saves 1.1 city / 0.7 highway / 0.9 mixed and costs 25 kg (1253 vs 1228). Versus 1.6 DSG: the 2.0 CVT has 54 hp less, 86 Nm less (179 vs 265), 114 kg less, and 1.1 L/100 km less mixed. Power-to-weight: 2.0 CVT 8.52 kg/hp vs 1.6 DSG 6.80 kg/hp.

If the job is a 2.0 with a measured sprint and a 60 L tank. Stay in 2 generation, restyling. The 2.0 AT 166 hp at 9 s (or the second 2.0 AT 166 hp at 9.3 s) beats the 2.0 AT 149 hp at 10 s by 1.0 s (or 0.7 s) for 17 hp and 26 Nm (205 vs 179), same 9.8/6.5/8.4 vs the 149 hp AT’s 8.1/6.2/7.4 — you pay 1.0 L/100 km mixed for the 166 hp Automatic. The 2.0 MT 166 hp has 0–100 not measured. The 2.0 MT 149 hp is 9.6 s at 1275 kg.

If the job is the only Diesel. 2 generation, restyling 1.6 AT 136 hp, 1582 cc, Turbo, Automatic 7, FWD, 10.8 s, 196 km/h, 60 L. Kerb, GVW, consumption, torque not measured. Versus the gasoline 1.6 AT 130 hp in the same generation: +6 hp, +1 cc family actually −9 cc (1582 vs 1591), 10.8 vs 11.5 s (0.7 s quicker), 196 vs 195 km/h.

If the job is a Coupe and a stopwatch. 2 generation 1.6 MT 201 hp, 7.2 s, 1327 kg, mixed 9.4 L/100 km, tank not measured, clearance 150 mm. The Automatic twin is 0.5 s slower. The naturally aspirated 2.0 MT 173 hp matches the 1.6 AT 201 hp at 7.7 s with 74 kg less (1279 vs 1353) and 0.7 L/100 km less mixed (8.7 vs 9.4).

If the job is a Hatchback 5-door. Only 1 generation. Fastest measured: 2.4 MT 175 hp at 8.2 s. Highest Vmax: 2.4 AT 175 hp at 214 km/h. Lightest: 1.6 MT 124 hp at 1160 kg, Manual 5 — the only 5-speed; the 1.6 AT 124 hp is the only Automatic 4. The 140 hp 1.6 MT/1.6 AT add 16 hp over 124 hp, switch to Direct injection (direct) and 6 speeds, 150 mm vs 140 mm, kerb 1195/1228 vs 1160/1179, 0–100 not measured. The 156 vs 158 hp 2.0 pair share 8.8 s on Manual; Automatic 9.2 s (156 hp) vs 8.9 s (158 hp). Mixed is 8.1 on all 2.0 and 9.0 on all 2.4.

What generation changed in arithmetic. 1 generation peak 175 hp / 228 Nm / 2359 cc → 2 generation peak 201 hp / 264 Nm / 1591 cc Turbo (26 hp more from 768 cc less). 2 generation, restyling drops the 201 hp Turbo Gasoline from the listed set and adds the 136 hp Diesel. 3 generation brings the 201 hp Turbo back as a Sedan, cuts the tank from 60 L to 53 L, publishes 135 mm, and introduces Variable and Robotic 7. Restyling 1 renames 1.6 MT/1.6 DSG to 1.6 GDI MT/1.6 GDI DCT, replaces 2.0 CVT with 2.0 IVI (Robotic 7, Direct injection (direct)), and labels torque 150 Nm instead of 265 Nm on the 1.6.

Problems / reliability as far as this table goes. There is no failure-rate field. What the sheet does show: many 0–100, Vmax, CO2, wheels, kerb (130 hp and Diesel), and 2 generation tank values are not measured. Duplicate names must be split by power and by the second number (9.0 vs 9.3 s on two 2.0 AT 166 hp; 7.2 vs 7.4 s on two 1.6 MT 201 hp; 1287 vs 1321 kg on two 2.0 AT 173 hp). Fuel 92 only on 3 generation; 95 elsewhere; Diesel once. No AWD exists in the data — every version is FWD.