The Kia Forte does 32.1 mpg combined (28.5 city, 38.1 highway), which works out to about $1,196 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 32.7 mpg while 1.8L 4-cyl does 29.7 — a difference of $119 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Kia Forte engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Kia Forte ranges from 32.7 down to 29.7 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $119 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 29.2 / 38.5 | 2010–2024 | $1,174 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 25.7 / 36.7 | 2014–2016 | $1,293 |
What that actually costs
The Kia Forte burns a gallon every 32.1 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 374 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.100 |
| Fuel per year | $1,196 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,980 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$298 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,970 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Kia Forte gives up 9.6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 38.1 out there against 28.5 in town, a 34% drop worth $339 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 28.5 mpg | $1,347 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 38.1 mpg | $1,008 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.6 mpg (34%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Forte changed over the years
The Forte peaked in 2022 at 35 mpg (31 city, 41 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2014 at 29 — 6 mpg apart, or $227 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2024 car does 34. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 / 41 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2023 | 30 / 41 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2022 | 31 / 41 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2021 | 31 / 41 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2020 | 31 / 41 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2019 | 31 / 41 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2018 | 29 / 37 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2017 | 29 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2016 | 26 / 37 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2015 | 26 / 37 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2014 | 25 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2013 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2012 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2011 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2010 | 27 / 36 | 1 | $1,280 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 15 EPA ratings of the Kia Forte — 2 engines across 2010–2024. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $1,970. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Kia Forte get?
32.1 mpg combined on average — 28.5 in the city and 38.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2010–2024.
How much does a Kia Forte cost in fuel per year?
About $1,196 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,980 over five years, or 0.100 dollars a mile.
Which Forte engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 32.7 mpg, against 29.7 for the 1.8L 4-cyl — a difference of about $119 a year.
Is the Forte good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Forte figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Kia Forte is $1,970 against the $1,196 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 35 and 29 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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