Kia is selling more Fortes than ever before and has refreshed their 2017 model to give customers more of what they’re looking for- power, performance, and convenience.

It now looks like the rest of the Kia lineup. For model year 2017, the Forte has a new front bumper and “tiger nose” grille. Newly designed headlights help the face of the vehicle look more in line with what Kia offers throughout its sedan lineup.

There’s a new trim level. The new S sport level that is set between the entry-level LX trim and the top-trim EX model. It offers buyers a a sport-tuned suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, LED positioning lights, rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tip, exclusive black cloth seats with white contrasting stitching, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

 

 

Under the hood there’s a new engine. Replacing last year’s 1.8-liter inline-4 cylinder engine is a standard 2.0-liter Atkinson I-4 engine that makes 147 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 132 lb-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. The new base engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The Forte also offers a six-speed automatic transmission impaired with a 2.0-liter GDI I-4 engine, which produces 164 hp at 6,200 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.