“I love my Kia. She is sporty and cute. She rides smooth and has the best gas mileage. She is great on the highway.”
2017 Kia Forte: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2017 Kia Forte gets a meaningful mid-cycle refresh, led by updated styling for both the sedan and Forte5 hatchback. It also gains a new S sedan trim, broader safety and smartphone tech, a new base sedan engine, and added standard equipment on upper trims.
About the 2017 Kia Forte
2nd generation Forte/Forte5, mid-cycle refresh year before the all-new 2019 third-generation sedan.
Kia positions the Forte as a compact car that gives shoppers more style, cabin quality, and technology than they might expect from an everyday commuter. The sedan leans toward value, easy daily driving, and useful passenger room, while the Forte5 adds hatchback cargo flexibility and a more European-flavored look. Across the family, Kia’s pitch centers on attractive design, straightforward controls, strong feature content, and a roomy, practical small-car package.
The LX remains the practical entry point, while the new S gives the sedan a sportier look, firmer suspension tuning, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. EX is the comfort-focused trim, with leather, heated front seats, and push-button start. The Forte5 SX is the performance standout, combining hatchback cargo space with a turbocharged engine, sport-tuned suspension, and distinctive red exterior accents.
What changed, by category
Styling
The Forte sedan and Forte5 hatchback receive refreshed front and rear exterior styling.
Trim lineup
The new S joins the sedan range between LX and EX, bringing sportier exterior details, firmer suspension tuning, a dark cabin with contrast stitching, and a 7-inch touchscreen.
Powertrain
The LX sedan replaces its previous 1.8-liter engine with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The Forte5 SX adds a quick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch automatic alongside its standard 6-speed manual.
Safety
Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision-related systems reach more of the model range on qualifying trims.
Tech and comfort
Upper trims gain broader access to a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. EX gains standard leather, heated front seats, and push-button start; Forte5 EX also makes several previously optional features standard. Forte5 SX gains standard leather, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control.
2017 Kia Forte specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter / 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 1.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd w/Sportmatic | Automatic, 6-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd w/Sportmatic | Automatic, 7-Spd w/Dual-Clutch |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | 25–29 mpg | 23 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 38 mpg | 33–34 mpg | 34–38 mpg | 29 mpg |
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 160–173 hp | 147–173 hp | 201 hp |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 149–154 lb-ft | 132–154 lb-ft | 195 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 14.9 cu-ft | 14.9–23.2 cu-ft | 14.9–23.2 cu-ft | 23.2 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.9 in | 35.9 in | 35.9 in | 35.9 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||
| Automatic Headlights | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Cruise Control | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| HID Headlights | ||||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ||||
| LED Tail Lights | ||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Bluetooth | ||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Remote Start | ||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Kia Forte a full redesign?
No. The 2017 Forte is a mid-cycle refresh of the second-generation model, not a full redesign. Its sedan and hatchback receive updated styling, equipment, and trim changes while retaining the same basic generation.
What engine changed in the 2017 Kia Forte?
The 2017 Forte LX sedan replaces the previous 1.8-liter four-cylinder with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The turbocharged Forte5 SX also gains a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic as an alternative to its standard 6-speed manual.
What is the new 2017 Kia Forte S trim?
The S is a new middle trim for the 2017 Forte sedan. It sits between LX and EX and adds sport-tuned suspension, sport-themed styling, contrast-stitched seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Does the 2017 Kia Forte have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes. The 2017 Forte offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through a 7-inch touchscreen on higher trims, including the sedan S and EX and the Forte5 EX and SX.
What safety technology changed for the 2017 Kia Forte?
The 2017 Forte expands access to driver-assistance features on qualifying trims. These include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision-related systems.
2017 Kia Forte Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2017 Kia Forte.
4.0
2017 Kia Forte
(426 reviews)
“Check engine light comes on often. Unable to resolve. Car sometimes vibrates when stopped in traffic or at lights.”
“The Kia Forte 5 was an excellent vehicle for the money. Great gas mileage, and a great car for zipping around town in. Good for a busy mom : )”
Sources
- kiamedia.com — Models / Forte / 2017
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 11093 / 2017 Forte5 Overview
- kiamedia.com — Models / Forte / 2016
- kiamedia.com — Models / Forte5 / 2016
- kiamedia.com — Models / Forte / 2018
- kiamedia.com — Models / Forte5 / 2018
- kiamedia.com — Forte / 2017 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Forte5 / 2017 / Features