2018 Kia Forte MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2018 Kia Forte is rated 25 to 32 mpg combined across 6 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · rated 32 mpg.

EPA fuel economy

2018 Kia Forte · 6 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

32MPG combined

29 city 37 highway

$1,950 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score7/10

2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · rated 32 mpg

Best version saves $1,250 in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $1,950 to $2,500 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2017.

Fewer complaints than a typical Forte year

The 2018 drew 34 owner complaints in its first three years, against 35 for a typical Forte year.

Years to avoid: 2019; best year: 2022. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Forte year ranked The 2018 Forte's recalls and problems

Every 2018 Forte version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · rated 32 mpg Best EPA listing: Forte	32 mpg	29 / 37	$1,950
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · hatchback EPA listing: Forte 5	28 mpg	25 / 34	$2,200
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · rated 28 mpg EPA listing: Forte	28 mpg	25 / 33	$2,200
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Forte	28 mpg	25 / 34	$2,200
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 7-speed automated manual EPA listing: Forte 5	27 mpg	25 / 30	$2,300
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Forte 5	25 mpg	23 / 29	$2,500

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · rated 32 mpg	$1,875	$156	$9,375
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · rated 28 mpg	$2,143	$179	$10,714
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · hatchback	$2,143	$179	$10,714
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$2,143	$179	$10,714
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 7-speed automated manual	$2,222	$185	$11,111
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$2,400	$200	$12,000

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Kia Forte MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 29 to 35 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2024); highest in 2019.

2018: gas 32 mpg

Show as a table

Kia Forte best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version
2010	30
2011	30
2012	30
2013	30
2014	29
2015	30
2016	30
2017	32
2018	32
2019	35
2020	35
2021	35
2022	35
2023	34
2024	34

Every Forte year's ratings in one table

How the 2018 Forte compares

2018 compact cars covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2018 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota Prius Best: hybrid	56 mpg	–	$1,100
Honda Civic Best: gas	36 mpg	36 mpg	$1,750
Hyundai Elantra Best: gas	35 mpg	35 mpg	$1,800
Toyota Corolla Best: gas	34 mpg	34 mpg	$1,850
Volkswagen Jetta Best: gas	33 mpg	33 mpg	$1,900
Nissan Sentra Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950
Kia Forte This page Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950
Mazda3 Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950

2018 Forte recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 136 owner complaints for the 2018 Forte.

Owners most often describe stalling (29 complaints, 21%), then engine failure (19). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars for the version it has rated.

See the 2018 Forte recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2018 Kia Forte need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2018 Kia Forte version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2018 Forte's MPG compare with the 2017?

For 2018, the best gas version is rated 32 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.