We’ve always had a soft spot for the Kia Forte. Maybe it’s because we like underdogs. Or maybe it’s because the current Forte is just a solid, well-designed car. But it’s a car we’ve long been fond of, especially in GT guise. The Kia Forte GT is the sportiest Forte, designed to go head-to-head against cars like the Civic Si and Jetta GLI. It may not have the tuner cred of its direct competitors, but stock-for-stock, it can more than hang with those two.

The current-gen Forte has been around for a bit, but it gets a mid-cycle refresh for 2022. Styling up front is nothing less than dramatic, with its new-style “tiger nose” grille and wildly styled LED headlamps. While not a direct clone of the new K5’s styling, the aggressiveness seen here shows that the two cars are definitely a part of the same family. Red accents adorn everything from the grille to the front splitter to the wheels. A red-trimmed rear diffuser and dual exhaust punctuate the rear.

Interior updates include a larger 4.2-inch TFT screen in the gauge cluster, the Kia-standard 10.25-inch touchscreen display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While not new for 2022, the GT versions of the Forte get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, sportier front seats, and red contrast stitching. Move up to GT2 spec and you’ll get conveniences like heated and ventilated front seats, a power driver’s seat and an upgraded Harmon/Kardon sound system.

Mechanically the Kia Forte GT falls right in line with the Civic Si and Jetta GLI. Power comes from a 1.6-liter turbocharged four banger rated at 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Its standard transmission is a 7-speed DCT, though a manual is available. And the suspension has been stiffened for sport-inspired duties.

On paper, it sounds great. And in photos, it looks great. But in the real world, it’s just okay. It’s at least as good, if not better, than competitors like the current-gen Corolla sedan and Jetta. It’s interior design leans heavily on the hard black plastic stuff, but is well thought-out and unassuming. Its seats, wrapped in fake leather (meaning vinyl), are definitely on the harder side, but do their job well enough.

That 1.6-liter turbo is buzzy, but fun. Mated to that 7-speed DCT, it offers plenty of punch off the line, and has ample power on tap for overtaking at highway speeds. Its sport-tuned suspension is stiff – not punishingly so like the Corolla APEX, but decidedly more firm than the Civic. In all drive modes, this is a car that is more than willing to go where you point it and will confidently hold its line, but it doesn't feel light or tossable. Oh, and its lane-keep assist feature is a bit on the aggressive side, so it’s best left turned off.

Comfort-wise, it is a Kia Forte, so it’s not the most refined thing. The touch points are comfortable, but the cabin lets in a fair bit of engine and tire noise. So much so that we have to crank that Harmon/Kardon system way up if we want to hear anything with any semblance of clarity.

But if you’re looking to buy a sporty, cheap Kia, you’re likely not looking for a whisper-quite ride. You’re looking for something that’s fun, with some real-world practicality. And the Kia Forte GT offers plenty of that, and then some. And those looking for something more hardcore may find the manual transmission package, with its Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires, more to their liking.

In terms of features and performance, the Kia Forte GT offers a lot of bang for the buck. And design-wise, it simply looks fantastic. It’s a car that can easily stand alongside the likes of Jetta and Civic, and feel like it belongs. And maybe when people realize that the Forte can be a (much) prettier version of the Hyundai Elantra N, we may finally start to see it get some aftermarket support, too.

The refreshed 2022 Kia Forte GT

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