2019 Kia Forte MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2019 Kia Forte is rated 31 to 35 mpg combined across 3 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT · FE.

EPA fuel economy

2019 Kia Forte · 3 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

35MPG combined

31 city 41 highway

$1,800 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score8/10

2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT · FE

Best version saves $2,000 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 $1,800 to $2,000 a year. Compared with 2018, the best gas version is up 3 mpg.

One of the Forte years to avoid

The 2019 drew 72 owner complaints in its first three years, against 35 for a typical Forte year: twice as many.

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

Every Forte year ranked The 2019 Forte's recalls and problems

Every 2019 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 · CVT · FE Best EPA listing: Forte FE	35 mpg	31 / 41	$1,800
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT EPA listing: Forte	34 mpg	30 / 40	$1,850
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Forte	31 mpg	27 / 37	$2,000

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 · CVT · FE	$1,714	$143	$8,571
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT	$1,765	$147	$8,824
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$1,935	$161	$9,677

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.

2019: gas 35 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 2019 Forte compares

2019 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.

2019 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
Toyota Corolla Best: gas	36 mpg	36 mpg	$1,750
Hyundai Elantra Best: gas	35 mpg	35 mpg	$1,800
Kia Forte This page Best: gas	35 mpg	35 mpg	$1,800
Volkswagen Jetta Best: gas	34 mpg	34 mpg	$1,850
Nissan Sentra Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950
Mazda3 Best: gas	30 mpg	30 mpg	$2,100

2019 Forte recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 150 owner complaints for the 2019 Forte.

Owners most often describe transmission failure (28 complaints, 19%), then stalling (21). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars.

See the 2019 Forte recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2019 Kia Forte need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2019 Kia Forte version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2019 Forte's MPG compare with the 2018?

For 2019, the best gas version is rated 35 mpg, up 3 from 32.

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.