---
title: "Here’s a Sketch of the 2019 Kia Forte"
description: "With a more sculpted hood, interesting headlight design, and fully-committed \"Tiger Nose\" grille, the third-gen Forte sports a front fascia slightly reminiscent of the luxury car-baiting Stinger. Look for the 2019 Kia Forte to debut in full at the Detroit Auto Show on Jan. 15."
date: "2018-01-11"
modified: "2018-01-11"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/17599/heres-a-sketch-of-the-2019-kia-forte"
categories:
  - "Kia News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "compact"
  - "Compact Cars"
  - "Detroit"
  - "detroit auto show"
  - "Forte"
  - "Kia"
  - "NAIAS 2018"
  - "sedan"
---

# Here’s a Sketch of the 2019 Kia Forte

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/01/13472_kia_motors_releases_renderings_of_all_new_2019_forte_sedan_ahead_of_north-e1515697685731.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Ahead of its debut in Detroit next week, Kia is teasing the newly-redesigned 2019 [Forte](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/17524/2017-kia-forte-forte5-sx-turbo-test-drive-review-hatchback-scouting-californias-wildfires>) sedan not with strategically lit-and-framed photographs but with a set of sketches that look like they were done by a caricature artist found on the streets of Seoul.

Bar the oversize wheels and lack of door handles, this burgundy Kia looks production-ready and decidedly less frumpy than [the car it replaces](<https://thestore.thedrive.com/>). With a more sculpted hood, interesting headlight design, and fully-committed "Tiger Nose" grille, the third-gen Forte sports a front fascia slightly reminiscent of the [luxury car-baiting Stinger](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/14860/the-2018-kia-stinger-gt-pokes-ze-germans-in-their-lederhosen>).

![message-editor%2F1515700751637-13473\_kia\_motors\_releases\_renderings\_of\_all\_new\_2019\_forte\_sedan\_ahead\_of\_north2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1515700751637-13473_kia_motors_releases_renderings_of_all_new_2019_forte_sedan_ahead_of_north2.jpg>)
**Kia Motors**

Moving to the rear, the car looks more upscale than before with a set of snazzily-designed LED taillamps paired with reverse lights and turn signals that are apparently separate, located on the corners of the bumper.

![message-editor%2F1515700801699-13474\_kia\_motors\_releases\_renderings\_of\_all\_new\_2019\_forte\_sedan\_ahead\_of\_north.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1515700801699-13474_kia_motors_releases_renderings_of_all_new_2019_forte_sedan_ahead_of_north.jpg>)
**Kia Motors**

On the inside, the [Stinger](<https://thestore.thedrive.com/>) influence continues, borrowing design elements from the best of Germany. Note the door panels by Audi and the turbine-shaped air vents that mimic something out of the Mercedes-Benz parts bin. While nobody should reasonably expect the new compact Kia to match those marques in terms of luxury or material quality, it's not bad at all for a compact car expected to start at well under $20,000.

Look for the 2019 Kia Forte to debut in full at the Detroit Auto Show Jan. 15.

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)