Insurance
$2,500/yr
Insurance, not maintenance, is this vehicle's dominant running cost: $2,500 a year on a national average against $461 for upkeep.
Kia Forte Maintenance Cost (2016–2026)
Report ACI-KIA-FORTE · Updated July 2026 · Figures are ACI model estimates
Maintenance Cost Report ACI-KIA-FORTE
Kia Forte
gas · compact car · MY 2016–2026
- Avg annual cost
- $461
- 10-year total
- $4,605
- Cost rank
- #8 of 52 vehicles
- Major-repair chance, 5 yr
- 14%
Average Annual Cost $461
$38per month
3.8¢per mile
Assumes 12,000 mi/yr · independent shop · 10-year average · ACI model estimate
The Kia Forte ranks #8 of 52 vehicles we track — among the cheapest cars to keep running.
What it costs as it ages
Annual cost by vehicle age · ACI modelVehicle age, years · figures at 12,000 mi/yr, independent shop
Costs stay under $450 a year through year 5, then climb as tires (set of 4) and other wear items come due.
Common services
Typical U.S. pricing · independent shop| Service | Typical cost | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Oil change (synthetic) | $82 | 7,500 mi |
| Cabin + engine air filters | $70 | 15,000 mi |
| Brake pads (front, pair) | $260 | 48,000 mi |
| Tires (set of 4) | $690 | 55,000 mi |
| Brake fluid exchange | $115 | 45,000 mi |
Your numbers
Table recalculates with the settings panel| Vehicle age | Annual cost | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Age 1 | $145 | $145 |
| Age 2 | $180 | $325 |
| Age 3 | $250 | $575 |
| Age 4 | $325 | $900 |
| Age 5 | $410 | $1,310 |
| 5-year total | $1,310 | $1,310 |
Ownership context
National averages · beyond the maintenance billCost rank
#8 of 52
The Kia Forte ranks #8 of 52 vehicles we track — among the cheapest cars to keep running.
Gas service profile
5 routine items
Routine costs are fluid-and-wear driven: oil at 7,500-mile intervals, filters, brakes, and tires. Tires (set of 4) is the single largest routine bill at $690.
Against its rivals
Average annual maintenance · ACI model| Vehicle | Avg annual | 10-yr total | vs. Forte |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia ForteThis page | $461 | $4,605 | — |
| Toyota Corolla | $413 | $4,130 | −$48/yr |
| Hyundai Elantra | $453 | $4,530 | −$8/yr |
| Mazda Mazda3 | $470 | $4,700 | +$9/yr |
| Honda Civic | $482 | $4,820 | +$21/yr |
Questions people ask
Is the Kia Forte expensive to maintain?
No. The Forte averages $461 a year in maintenance and typical repairs, ranking #8 of 52 vehicles on AutoCostIndex. That places it among the cheapest vehicles we track to keep running.
What does a Kia Forte cost to maintain per year?
$461 a year averaged over the first ten years — about $38 a month. Year 1 runs roughly $145; by year 10 the annual figure reaches $850. Ten-year total: $4,605.
What are the most common Forte services?
The routine items are oil change (synthetic) (~$82), cabin + engine air filters (~$70), brake pads (front, pair) (~$260). Intervals and full pricing for every service are in the table on this page.
What's not included in this estimate?
Fuel or charging, insurance (about $2,500 a year nationally for this vehicle), collision damage, parking, tolls, taxes, and registration. The figure covers scheduled maintenance plus typical age-related repairs, modeled per our methodology.
Keep exploring
More Kia models
Similar running costs
Rankings & hubs
How we calculate this
Figures come from the ACI maintenance model: manufacturer service schedules priced at typical U.S. independent-shop rates, plus expected age-related repairs weighted by published reliability patterns. The calculator scales costs with mileage (wear factor) and shop choice. Figures are modeled estimates — your invoices will differ. Full detail on the methodology page.
SOURCES: ACI maintenance model v1 · manufacturer service schedules · 2026 U.S. parts & labor pricing · published reliability studies · Updated 2026-07-19