Used 2023 Kia Forte for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2023 Kia Forte cost?

Prices have softened 9.93% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

There are 406 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2023 Kia Forte a good car?

Yes — the 2023 Kia Forte earns a 4.6/5 from owners and a 6.3/10 from our experts. The model scores 7/10 across Performance, Form and function, and Cost effectiveness.

Owners commonly praise its stylish design, impressive fuel economy, and comfortable ride. They also describe it as reliable and fun to drive, with safety features that add to its appeal. On the other hand, some owners say the cabin can feel a bit cheap, especially in the trunk area.

That lines up with the Forte’s role as a compact sedan for you if you want strong value without giving up a well-rounded feel. It is especially appealing if you want an affordable daily driver that still feels thoughtfully equipped.

With 27.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2023 Kia Forte reliable?

Owners rate it 4.6/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owners describe it as reliable and dependable, and they also say it feels fun to drive over the long term. The expert assessment also points to a well-built feel that helps it stand up well against rivals.

If you are buying used, the main ownership risk is that lower crash-test performance and base-model equipment gaps may matter more than mechanical durability.

What should I look for when buying a used 2023 Kia Forte?

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX trim uses 15-inch steel wheels, while higher trims bring alloy wheels, LED lighting, and more upscale cabin materials. The GT trims add LED fog lights and red accents, but those details are more about style than substance.
• Powertrain: You get a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 147 horsepower in the base setup, while the GT Limited upgrades to a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 hp and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The base powertrain is adequate, but the turbo model is the one to choose if you want more urgency.
• Safety package: Kia’s Highway Driving Assist appears on the GT-Line and GT Limited, while the EX trim adds forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, a driver attention monitor, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Base models miss most of those features.
• Infotainment: Supporting trims get an 8-inch touchscreen, while the GT-Line and GT Limited move to a 10.25-inch display with onboard navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and Kia Connect starts at the EX Premium trim.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine is rated at 8.2 L/100 km city, 6.0 L/100 km highway, and 7.2 combined. The GT Limited rises to 8.7 L/100 km city, 6.6 L/100 km highway, and 7.8 combined.

Which 2023 Kia Forte trim should I buy?

The 2023 Kia Forte is offered in 6 trim levels: LX, EX, EX Premium, GT-Line, GT Limited, GT.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, but it is best for you only if price matters most and you are comfortable giving up most driver-assistance features and some convenience equipment.
• EX: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the key safety and convenience features that make the Forte feel much more complete.
• EX Premium: Choose this if you want the EX equipment plus more connected-services capability and a more upscale feature set.
• GT-Line: This is the better pick if you want the larger 10.25-inch screen and a sportier presentation without jumping all the way to the performance-focused trims.
• GT Limited: This is the one to buy if you want the strongest performance, the turbocharged engine, and the most complete equipment list.
• GT: This trim sits at the top of the range and is the most expensive route into the Forte lineup.

The safety-package trim note is simple: most driver-assistance and safety features beyond airbags and electronic stability control start at the EX trim.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2023 Kia Forte?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 27.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 406 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.93% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $20,151 CAD, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2023 Kia Forte's resale value?

The current average of $20,151 CAD sits slightly below last year's $22,373 CAD.

That softer pricing suggests the Forte is currently more buyer-friendly than seller-friendly. If you plan to sell later, the recent decline means you may not recover as much as owners did a year ago. Still, the model’s value reputation and broad appeal should help keep demand steady.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.6/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2023 Kia Forte safe?

The 2023 Kia Forte was awarded four out of five stars for overall, frontal, side, and rollover protection from NHTSA, and the IIHS gave it a Good rating in most evaluations but Poor in the updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests.

It earns a 5/10 safety score from our experts.

Kia’s safety suite starts with forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, a driver attention monitor, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert on the EX trim. The EX Premium adds advanced forward collision assist warning and adaptive cruise control, while Highway Driving Assist appears on the GT-Line and GT Limited.

The main caution for used buyers is that base models miss much of the safety tech, and the IIHS results include some weak crash-test outcomes.

Should I buy a 2023 Kia Forte or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2023 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2023 if:

• 27.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.93% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines strong value with available manual-transmission appeal and a well-rounded compact-sedan package.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,858 CAD, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $20,151 CAD average.
• It was updated with sharper styling and newer infotainment, driver-assist, and collision-avoidance systems.

The bottom line: You should lean toward the 2023 if you want the stronger current-market balance of value, satisfaction, and inventory. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2022 is the better budget-first alternative.

How does the 2023 Kia Forte compare to the 2023 Hyundai Elantra?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2023 Kia Forte:

• Pros: Excellent value for money, Comfortable, Manual transmission available.
• Cons: Lower-than-average crash test scores, Underwhelming base engine.

2023 Hyundai Elantra:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Easy-to-use technology, Excellent value for money.
• Cons: Potentially polarizing design.

Our experts score the 2023 Kia Forte 6.3/10 and the 2023 Hyundai Elantra 8.7/10. The Forte is the more straightforward value play, especially if you want comfort and the option of a manual transmission. The Elantra brings more powertrain variety and easier-to-use technology, which helps explain its higher score. If crash-test performance matters a lot to you, the Forte’s weaker results are a drawback.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.