Compact cars · BD generation
Good choice Above average
It scores 68 out of 100 for reliability compared with other compact cars. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $10,456 to own, including $1,550 in repairs.
Early estimate: this rating uses our own sales estimate for the Kia Forte.
Reliability
68/100
Above average
Repairs, 5 years
$1,550
at 12,000 mi a year
Fuel, 5 years
$5,829
35 mpg, $3.40/gal
Price today
$11,872
$10,447 – $13,296, estimate
Recalls
1
on record
Owner complaints
28
filed with NHTSA
These are estimates, not guarantees. They come from public NHTSA complaint and recall data and EPA fuel economy, assuming 5 years of ownership and 12,000 miles a year. Change the assumptions or see how it works.
Expected over 5 years, by area of the car.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
These links go to independent sites. We don't earn anything from them.
Of the years we rate, the 2022 scores best (68/100) and the 2017 worst (8/100).
| Year | Reliability |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 36/100 |
| 2023 | 26/100 |
| 2022 | 68/100 |
| 2021 | 41/100 |
| 2020 | 40/100 |
| 2019 | 14/100 |
| 2018 | 28/100 |
| 2017 | 8/100 |
| 2016 | 32/100 |
| 2015 | 12/100 |
No. It scores 68 out of 100, one of the more reliable compact cars of 2015–2024.
It scores 68 out of 100 against other compact cars from 2015 to 2024, which is above average. Based on 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $1,550 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.
About $10,456 over 5 years: $3,077 in lost value, $1,550 in repairs and $5,829 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $11,872 today.
Of the years we rate, the 2022 scores best (68/100) and the 2017 worst (8/100).
1 recall on record with NHTSA.