Compact cars offer plenty of advantages, from being nimble on roads with twists and turns to fitting into snug parking spaces on busy streets and offering excellent fuel economy thanks to their lighter weight. Drivers of these small yet mighty vehicles know that the phrase “bigger is better” isn’t always accurate. And just because a car is smaller doesn’t mean it doesn’t have room to fit plenty of high-tech features.
Take the Kia Forte, for example. Its compact size is accompanied by a low price, but it doesn’t cut corners when it comes to tech. Just look at any 2023 Kia Forte for sale, from the base LX trim to the top-tier GT Limited, and you’ll find plenty of modern features designed to make the car more comfortable, convenient, and safe to drive. Today we’re going to examine the tech onboard the Kia Forte and see what this compact car has to offer.
Infotainment Comes First
Every Forte comes standard with an infotainment system that features a color touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone calls and music streaming, and more. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are also standard across all trims. That means you can hook up your smartphone and control your favorite navigation apps, music streaming services, and more directly through the car’s interface. The system can even read SMS text messages out loud so you can stay connected without taking your eyes off the road. All that audio will come through loud and clear over the available Harman Kardon premium sound system, which is sure to satisfy everyone from casual music lovers to hard-core audiophiles.
In addition to the central touchscreen display, the Forte offers steering wheel-mounted buttons that can be used to control the infotainment system. That makes it easy to raise and lower the volume, skip songs, and more without ever taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road. While all models come standard with a USB port that can be used to keep your phone fully charged while en route, you can also get an available wireless charging pad. That way, your phone can get to full power while you drive without any cables, which are both easy to lose and prone to breaking.
Comprehensive Safety
Kia offers a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, making it easy for Forte drivers to have peace of mind on the road. These automatic systems can provide warnings or even take direct action under certain circumstances in order to avoid bad situations. The following features are available on the Forte:
- Blind-Spot Detection System uses radar to spot vehicles that are in your blind spot and gives you audible and visual alerts if you attempt to change lanes while your blind spot is occupied.
- Advanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist uses radar and cameras to determine if a potential frontal collision is imminent and uses automatic emergency braking to avoid or lessen the impact of the collision.
- Lane Keep Assist System prevents you from drifting out of your lane by alerting you if you begin straying over the lines without signalling.
- Driver Attention Alert System uses a variety of sensors to detect driver inattentiveness and provides audible and visual warnings to either pay more attention to the road or pull over for a short rest.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert keeps you aware of traffic approaching from the side while you’re backing up, which can be especially helpful when you’re exiting a space in a crowded parking lot.
- Smart Cruise Control will keep you cruising along at a set speed while the lane in front of you is clear. However, if you catch up to a slower vehicle, the system will keep you a safe distance behind it, slowing down or even stopping as needed before speeding back up to your set speed when it’s safe to do so.
In addition to driver-assist tech, the Forte also offers a number of other safety features. Automatic headlights turn on or off depending on the ambient light, so you’ll never have to worry about forgetting to turn your lights on when you need them. Heated side mirrors make it easy to keep an eye on your surroundings, even when it’s cold enough for ice and frost to be an issue. Hill-assist control lets drivers handle inclines with ease, and a rearview camera gives a clear view of what’s behind you while backing up.
Improving Comfort
Smart Key with push-button start is standard in the higher trim levels, so you never have to dig your key fob out of your purse or pocket in order to enter, exit, or start the car. Inside, the cabin has plenty of features designed to keep you and all your passengers at a comfortable temperature. Available dual-zone automatic climate control allows you and your front passenger to each set your own temperature, so no one has to compromise. In addition to the vents, you can also keep warm with heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel. In the summer, air-cooled front seats give you an extra way to keep cool on a hot day.
A multi-directional power-adjustable driver’s seat is also available. This feature is easier to use than a manually-adjustable seat and allows you to get your position just right for optimal comfort, even on hours-long road trips. A tilt and telescopic steering wheel is also standard, making the driver’s position even more customizable so that people of all shapes and sizes can make it just right for them.
Top-Notch Performance
Drivers looking for a sporty feel and top-notch performance will find plenty of features designed for them on the Forte. For instance, under the hood of the top-level GT Limited trim, you’ll find a turbocharged engine that delivers 201 hp despite displacing only 1.6 litres, providing plenty of excitement while still proving quite efficient. While all of the Forte’s powertrains include an automatic transmission, available paddle shifters give drivers more control over gear changes. With the available Electric Sound Generator, you can make any drive more thrilling, with a little boost of audio muscle helping to create an immersive driving experience. Drive Mode Select allows you to pick the right settings for any situation, from everyday errand runs to more taxing driving.
Kia Connect
The available Kia Connect smartphone app lets you control your car from afar. It can be used to start the car and control the temperature settings remotely. That allows drivers to get the heat going ahead of time on cold mornings or start running the AC early on hot summer days. You can also set off your car alarm or hazard lights remotely in case of emergencies. Plus, you can lock and unlock the doors from the app, making it easy to secure your car from a distance if you ever forget to lock the doors right away.
Some Final Thoughts
From comfort and convenience features to high-tech driver assists, there’s plenty of technology available on the 2023 Kia Forte. And since the Forte is also a highly affordable car, it’s a great way for shoppers on a budget to get a new vehicle with desirable tech without paying an arm and a leg for it. Whether you’re looking for an efficient commuter car, a sporty model with great performance, or a versatile vehicle for everyday driving, the Forte is a solid choice. The technology that Kia brings to the table here is comprehensive and useful, elevating the experience of drivers and passengers alike.
