- Newest year: 2018
- Gas
- Midsize cars
2014-2018 Kia Forte MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 24–32 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 8 of 10 midsize car configurations, MY2018. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2014-2018 Kia Forte at a glance
The 2014-2018 Kia Forte covers 5 model years in the EPA database (48 configurations in all), rated 24–32 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2018, costs about $2,040 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD (32 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The best combined rating in the generation, 32 MPG, was reached in 2017 and 2018.
2014-2018 Kia Forte by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Gas | 25–32 MPG | $2,040–$2,580 | Ratings changed |
| 2017 | Gas | 25–32 MPG | $2,040–$2,580 | Ratings changed |
| 2016 | Gas | 24–30 MPG | $2,170–$2,740 | Ratings changed |
| 2015 | Gas | 24–30 MPG | $2,160–$2,740 | Ratings changed |
| 2014 | Gas | 24–29 MPG | $2,250–$2,740 | First year |
What the 2018 Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$170
$2,040 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$3.40
Per 100 miles
$13.60
Five years
$10,200
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the midsize car median
$890less a year
Class median $2,930 a year, MY2018
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2018 Kia Forte MPG
Versus 2017: The most efficient configuration stays at 32 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,040.
Gas configurations (6)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 29 | 37 | 32 | $2,040 |
| Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,290 |
| Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,320 |
| 5 2.0L 4-cyl | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,320 |
| 5 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (AM7) | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 25 | 30 | 27 | $2,430 |
| 5 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 23 | 29 | 25 | $2,580 |
2017 Kia Forte MPG
25–32 MPG · $2,040–$2,580/yr
Versus 2016: The most efficient configuration moves from 30 to 32 MPG, up 2. Its annual cost goes from $2,170 to $2,040, $130 less.
Gas configurations (9)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 29 | 38 | 32 | $2,040 |
| Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,290 |
| Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,320 |
| 5 2.0L 4-cyl | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,320 |
| Koup 2.0L 4-cyl | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,330 |
| Koup 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (AM7) | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 25 | 32 | 27 | $2,390 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (AM7) | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 25 | 30 | 27 | $2,430 |
| Koup 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,550 |
| 5 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 23 | 29 | 25 | $2,580 |
2016 Kia Forte MPG
24–30 MPG · $2,170–$2,740/yr
Versus 2015: The most efficient configuration stays at 30 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $2,160 to $2,170, $10 more.
Gas configurations (10)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte 1.8L 4-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 1.8L 4-cyl | FWD | 26 | 37 | 30 | $2,170 |
| Forte 1.8L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 1.8L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,240 |
| Koup 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,320 |
| Forte 2.0L 4-cyl | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 35 | 28 | $2,320 |
| 5 2.0L 4-cyl | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,360 |
| Koup 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,390 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koup 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,630 |
| Koup 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 29 | 24 | $2,680 |
| 5 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,720 |
| 5 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,740 |
2015 Kia Forte MPG
24–30 MPG · $2,160–$2,740/yr
Versus 2014: The most efficient configuration moves from 29 to 30 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,250 to $2,160, $90 less.
Gas configurations (10)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte 1.8L 4-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 1.8L 4-cyl | FWD | 26 | 37 | 30 | $2,160 |
| Forte 1.8L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 1.8L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,240 |
| Forte 2.0L 4-cyl | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,290 |
| Koup 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,320 |
| 5 2.0L 4-cyl | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,340 |
| Koup 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,390 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koup 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,630 |
| Koup 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 29 | 24 | $2,680 |
| 5 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,720 |
| 5 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,740 |
2014 Kia Forte MPG
24–29 MPG · $2,250–$2,740/yr
Gas configurations (13)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte 1.8L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 1.8L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,250 |
| Eco | 1.8L 4-cyl | FWD | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,260 |
| Forte 1.8L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 6-spd | 1.8L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 35 | 28 | $2,320 |
| Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 35 | 28 | $2,350 |
| Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,360 |
| Koup 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 33 | 28 | $2,360 |
Show 3 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,380 |
| 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,380 |
| Koup 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,430 |
| Koup 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic 6-spd | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,630 |
| Koup 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 29 | 24 | $2,680 |
| 5 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic 6-spd | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,720 |
| 5 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,740 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD: $2,780 in California and $1,780 in Texas, a $1,000 difference.
- California $2,780
- Washington $2,570
- New York $2,040
- Florida $1,930
- Texas $1,780
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2018 midsize car models.
Generations
- 2010-2013 (TD)
- 2014-2018 (YD)
- 2019-2024 (BD)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2014-2018 Kia Forte get?
EPA rates the 2014-2018 Kia Forte at 24–32 MPG combined across 48 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2018 Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 32 MPG (29 city, 37 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2014-2018 Kia Forte?
The Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 32 MPG, in 2017 and 2018. The lowest top rating, 29 MPG, was in 2014.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2014-2018 Kia Forte?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
How does the 2014-2018 Kia Forte compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2010-2013 Kia Forte) is rated 26–30 MPG combined and costs $2,180–$2,550 a year to fuel; the 2014-2018 model is rated 24–32 MPG and costs $2,040–$2,740 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Kia Forte per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,040 a year. Across all 6 configurations the cost runs $2,040–$2,580 a year. That is a $540 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2018 Kia Forte 100 miles?
About $13.60 per 100 miles for the Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $13.60 and $17.20 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2018 Kia Forte more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD is rated 29 city and 37 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 8 MPG.
How does the 2018 Kia Forte compare with other midsize car configurations?
The Forte 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,040 a year to fuel, $890 less than the class median of $2,930, and less than 8 of 10 midsize car configurations. The comparison covers all 205 rated midsize car configurations for MY2018, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2018 Kia Forte different from the 2017 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 32 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,040. EPA lists 6 configurations for 2018 against 9 configurations for 2017. See the 2017 Kia Forte for that year.