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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $20,759–$25,976 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2017 Kia Forte SL is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.4/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.0/10, while Performance at 6.0/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.7/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.0/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.2/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $20,759–$25,976, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Kia Forte SL sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.0/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2017 Kia Forte SL sits in the middle of the field. Until its performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Kia Forte SL ranks #687 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 48% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $20,759 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 25%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Forte SL model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $27,067 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $26,279 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $25,490 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $24,702 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $23,913 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $23,125 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $22,336 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $21,548 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $20,759 | |
| 2016 | 7.3/10 | $19,971 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.3/10 | $19,182 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.