“The Forte GT Line is a lot of fun to drive, it's surprisingly quick, smooth ride, comfortable to sit in for hours on a road trip, and is quite a sporty surprise.”
2021 Kia Forte: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 13, 2026
The 2021 Kia Forte is mostly a carryover, with the EX’s expanded standard equipment as the biggest change. It remains the same third-generation sedan with the same five trims and two-engine lineup.
About the 2021 Kia Forte
3rd generation (2019-2024), pre-facelift third model year.
Kia positions the Forte as a compact sedan that gives buyers more style, safety tech, and cabin tech than they might expect from an everyday commuter. The pitch is value without looking basic: sharp Stinger-inspired design, strong fuel economy, easy phone-friendly infotainment, and enough trim variety to cover a simple commuter, a sport-look model, a comfort-focused version, and a real turbo sport sedan. Practicality, a roomy trunk, and generous standard tech are the model’s main draws.
The lineup ranges from the straightforward FE and better-equipped LXS to the sporty-looking GT-Line, comfort-focused EX, and turbocharged GT. The EX has heated and ventilated front seats, navigation, premium audio, a sunroof, and wireless phone charging, while the GT pairs a 201-hp turbo engine with a sport-tuned rear suspension.
What changed, by category
Tech
The EX gains built-in navigation, Harman Kardon audio, a power sunroof, wireless phone charging, and Kia’s newer connected-services system as standard equipment. Push-button start shifts from standard to optional on EX, GT, and GT-Line.
Safety
Blind-spot monitoring becomes standard on GT models with the dual-clutch automatic, along with rear cross-traffic warning.
2021 Kia Forte specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, IVT | Automatic, IVT | Automatic, 7-Spd w/Dual-Clutch & Sportmatic | Automatic, IVT | Automatic, IVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 29 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 29 mpg | 29 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 40 mpg | 37 mpg | 35 mpg | 40 mpg | 40 mpg |
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 147 hp | 201 hp | 147 hp | 147 hp |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft | 195 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 15.3 cu-ft | 15.3 cu-ft | 15.3 cu-ft | 15.3 cu-ft | 15.3 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.7 in | 35.7 in | 35.7 in | 35.7 in | 35.7 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||
| Automatic Leveling Headlights | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| LED Tail Lights | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Subwoofer | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Folding Rear Seat | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2021 Kia Forte?
The biggest change is the EX trim’s expanded standard equipment. It gains built-in navigation, Harman Kardon audio, a power sunroof, wireless phone charging, and Kia’s newer connected-services system as standard.
Was the 2021 Kia Forte redesigned?
No, the 2021 Forte was not redesigned. It is the third model year of the third-generation sedan introduced for 2019, and its basic styling, structure, engines, and five-trim lineup carry over.
Did the 2021 Kia Forte get a new engine?
No, the 2021 Forte keeps the previous year’s two-engine lineup. FE, LXS, GT-Line, and EX use a 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while the GT uses a 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder.
What safety feature changed on the 2021 Kia Forte GT?
Blind-spot monitoring becomes standard on 2021 Forte GT models with the dual-clutch automatic. Rear cross-traffic warning is also standard on those GT models.
Is the 2021 Kia Forte a major upgrade over the 2020 model?
No, the 2021 Forte is not a major upgrade over the 2020 model. The main differences are trim-level equipment changes, especially the EX’s added standard comfort and tech features and the automatic GT’s broader safety coverage.
2021 Kia Forte Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Kia Forte.
4.2
2021 Kia Forte
(184 reviews)
“I would tell them if you are looking for a bare bones type car this is it. But I would warn them that the technology car should have being a 2021 is a big disappointment for example connecting the blue tooth technology and using certain features is impossible.”
“Road noise at highway speeds is excessive. The noise makes it difficult to use hands free phone features, as it's difficult to hear the other party. Acceleration and handling is fantastic! Premium audio system is well worth the money. Lack of navigation on the GT model is disappointing.”