2024 Kia Forte

small car / 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: original test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Optional blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Optional rear automatic braking

Key

Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Kia Forte S 4-door

The Kia Forte was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Two driver-side small overlap frontal tests of the Forte were conducted, one by the Institute and the other by Hyundia/Kia. Ratings are based on both tests.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the Institute's driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well (Institute test car shown).

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury (Institute test shown).

The driver's space was maintained well in both tests, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1811	VTN1811
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	6	3
Footrest (cm)	6	3
Left toepan (cm)	3	1
Brake pedal (cm)	2	1
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2	2
Upper dash (cm)	4	2
Lower instrument panel (cm)	3	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1811	VTN1811
Head
HIC-15	400	361
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2	1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm)	6	10
Maximum Nij	0.22	0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28	30
Femur (kN)
Left	0.3	0.5
Right	0.2	0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0	0
Right	0	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0	0
Right	0	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.39	0.52
Right	0.53	0.45
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.2	2.8
Right	1.1	1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	54	92
Right	53	60

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Kia Forte EX 4-door

The Kia Forte was redesigned for the 2019 model year.

Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics The dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but slid off toward the right side, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag also deployed.
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1827
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	11
Footrest (cm)	8
Right toepan (cm)	4
Center toepan (cm)	2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	3
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	6
Upper dash (cm)	6
Right lower dash (cm)	6

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1827
Head
HIC-15	220
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.6
Extension bending moment (Nm)	8
Maximum Nij	0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm)	30
Femur (kN)
Left	0.6
Right	0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.50
Right	0.47
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.5
Right	2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	57
Right	59

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1827
Head
HIC-15	208
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	19
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	35
Femur (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.36
Right	0.18
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.6
Right	1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	47
Right	46

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Kia Forte EX 4-door

The Kia Forte was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1823
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	3
Left (cm)	6
Center (cm)	4
Right (cm)	4
Brake pedal (cm)	6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-3
Rearward (cm)	5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1823
Head
HIC-15	296
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	8
Maximum Nij	0.29
Chest maximum compression (mm)	37
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.2
Femur force - right (kN)	0.1
Knee displacement - left (mm)	0
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.31
Maximum tibia index - right	0.50
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.3
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	1.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	84
Right	42

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Kia Forte GT-Line 4-door

The Kia Forte was redesigned for the 2019 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head remained a safe distance from the front seatback.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a likely risk of injury to the head or neck and a moderate risk of injury to the chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis onto the abdomen, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2303
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	3
Left (cm)	9
Center (cm)	7
Right (cm)	8
Brake pedal (cm)	5
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	0
Rearward (cm)	-4
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2303
Head
HIC-15	232
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	7
Maximum Nij	0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm)	33
Femur (kN)
Left	0.5
Right	0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.24
Right	0.41
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.0
Right	1.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	66
Right	50

Test ID	CEF2303
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	3.3
Compression (kN)	0.5
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	33
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	6.4
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.7
Right femur compression	0.2

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Kia Forte FE 4-door

The Kia Forte was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS1821
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-16.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1821
Head HIC-15	492
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Compression (kN)	0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	51
Lateral force (kN)	1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	45
Average deflection (mm)	37
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.40
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.71
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	2.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.9
Combined force (kN)	3.9
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.8
L-M moment (Nm)	152
A-P moment (Nm)	-63

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1821
Head HIC-15	148
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.3
Compression (kN)	0.7
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	23
Lateral force (kN)	1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	31
Average deflection (mm)	25
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.03
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.44
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.1
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.0
Combined force (kN)	1.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.6
L-M moment (Nm)	142
A-P moment (Nm)	-42

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Kia Forte LXS 4-door

The Kia Forte was redesigned for the 2019 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection The dummy's head contacted the window sill hard, through the side curtain airbag. The head protection is inadequate.
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The driver dummy's head contacted the window sill through the side curtain airbag.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2230
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-10.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2230
Head
HIC-15	812
Peak gs at hard contact	104
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.7
Compression (kN)	0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	61
Lateral force (kN)	3.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	61
Average deflection (mm)	55
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	5.94
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	2.24
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	7.9

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2230
Head
HIC-15	398
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	0.6
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	47
Lateral force (kN)	1.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	46
Average deflection (mm)	38
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.90
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	1.18
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	4.4

About the side crash test

Headlights

Trim level(s)

LX trim
LXS trim
GT-Line trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	LX trim LXS trim GT-Line trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2022-24 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	88.2 m	None
Straightaway left edge	47.4 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	50.0 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	44.7 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	41.0 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	40.6 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	133.7 m
Straightaway left edge	89.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	49.7 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	51.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	40.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	41.0 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to 2024 models

System details

standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/ Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped)

of the following trim lines: LX trim, LXS trim, GT-Line trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation

Crossing child — day

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.

Crossing adult — night

In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 4 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 1 mph.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 14 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 3 mph.

Parallel adult — night

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 27 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.7 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 9 mph and a warning was issued 1.5 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)	None

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	S
Seat type	cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	S
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	16
Clearance angle (degrees)	78
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	16
Clearance angle (degrees)	88
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	21
Clearance angle (degrees)	85
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	21
Clearance angle (degrees)	85
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	52 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	71 dB
Difference between background and signal	18.8 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	55 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	71 dB
Difference between background and signal	16.1 dB
Dominant audio frequency	784 Hz