Kia Forte III (BD) photos

The third-generation Kia Forte (BD) debuted at the North American International Auto Show in January 2018. Designers crafted a sleek fastback silhouette heavily inspired by the flagship Kia Stinger. Overall body length expanded to 4,640 mm. The interior introduced a clean horizontal dashboard with a floating 8-inch touchscreen display and turbine-style air vents. This generation of the Forte (BD) was produced from 2018 to 2024 and offered in sedan, hatchback body styles. Built on an engineered platform, it features strong structural rigidity, refined aerodynamics, and advanced occupant safety engineering.

Power came from a 2.0-liter Nu Atkinson-cycle engine (147 hp) mated to an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), alongside a 1.6-liter T-GDI turbo (201 hp) for the performance Forte GT with multi-link rear suspension. A 2021 facelift updated the front end with Kia's new brand emblem, dashed LED daytime running light signatures, and enhanced Drive Wise active safety systems. The powertrain lineup features modern engines optimized for thermal efficiency, balancing responsive acceleration with economical fuel consumption. Power is delivered through reliable manual or automatic transmissions. Mid-cycle updates introduced modernized LED lighting graphics, premium cabin materials, and enhanced active driver assistance suites.