About This Kia Forte EX 2020 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Kia Forte EX 2020 sits on a set of 18×9.5 / 18×9.5-inch Volk TE37 Saga S-plus wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Volk for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Kia Forte EX builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Volk TE37 Saga S-plus creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Volk TE37 Saga S-plus on the Kia Forte EX 2020
I walked up to this Forte and honestly did a double-take. Seeing Volk TE37 Saga S-plus wheels tucked under a daily driver like this really changes the game. We are looking at a square 18x9.5 setup with a +38 offset all the way around.
That 9.5-inch width is aggressive for a Kia platform. It pushes the wheel face right out to the edge of the fender line. You get that meaty, track-ready aesthetic without needing a widebody kit.
The +38 offset keeps the geometry balanced. It clears the factory brake calipers with room to spare, which is a massive win for Volk engineering. You do not need to worry about inner barrel contact here.
Since this car sits on stock suspension, the poke is noticeable. The wheels sit flush with the top of the fender arch. It looks purposeful and ready for a serious canyon run.
The hub bore fits the Kia perfectly, so you avoid vibration issues. I noticed the spokes clear the front hub assembly without any spacers. Everything bolts up clean and stays centered.
Watch out for rubbing on big bumps, though. The tires are sitting close to that plastic fender liner up front. You might hear a slight kiss if you hit a dip at high speed.
The barrel depth on these S-plus wheels adds serious visual weight. It fills the wheel well perfectly compared to the skinny factory rollers. This is how a Forte should have looked from the factory.
What We Recommend for Kia Forte EX 2020 Owners
If you want this exact look, proceed with caution on your tire choice. A 245-wide tire is your sweet spot for this 9.5-inch width. Anything wider will lead to excessive scrubbing on those plastic liners.
Stick to a square setup for a daily driver. It allows for tire rotation and keeps the handling predictable in the rain. Staggered setups on a front-wheel-drive Kia are just a recipe for understeer.
Do not skip on the alignment when you bolt these on. Dialing in a bit of negative camber will save your fenders from unwanted contact. A professional shop can tuck these wheels in just enough to keep you legal.
Avoid the temptation to use thick wheel spacers. The +38 offset already puts enough stress on your wheel bearings. Keep the design simple and let the TE37s do the heavy lifting.
Common mistakes usually involve buying the wrong bolt pattern or poor quality hub rings. Make sure you get the proper 67.1mm center bore rings. If you ignore the hub rings, you will feel every bit of road vibration in your steering wheel.
Style and Build Analysis
The Gunmetal finish is the secret sauce here. It provides a dark, industrial contrast against the factory paint. It looks refined but hints at the racing pedigree Volk is famous for.
Those iconic six spokes draw your eye immediately. The S-plus design is timeless because it focuses on strength first. It turns a standard commuter car into something that looks like it belongs in a time-attack event.
The proportions on this Forte feel spot on. By filling the arches, the wheels lower the car visually without touching the springs. It gives the body a squat, planted stance that screams stability.
I have seen plenty of builds with flashier wheels, but they often look cheap. This setup keeps the elegance of the Forte while adding a layer of raw aggression. It is understated, but car guys know exactly what they are looking at.
This car holds its own next to high-end builds at any meet. It proves that a great set of wheels defines the soul of the vehicle. The Gunmetal finish catches the light perfectly, revealing the intricate details of the wheel casting.
Why We Love This Build
I love this car because it celebrates function over everything else. The Gunmetal TE37s catch the afternoon light and emphasize the clean lines of the Forte. Seeing those massive wheels fill the arches gives the car an entirely new personality. It is not just a commuter anymore; it is a statement piece.
This build stops me in my tracks because it is so honest. It does not hide behind cheap aero or loud graphics. It relies on legendary Japanese engineering to turn a humble Kia into a head-turner. You want this setup on your own car the second you see it rolling down the street. It is pure, unfiltered automotive perfection.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Kia Forte EX 2020
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Volk TE37 Saga S-plus
- Wheel Size: 18×9.5 / 18×9.5
- Offset: 38 / 38
- Wheel Finish: Gunmetal
- Tires: Nankang NS-20 215/40 24.8″x8.5″ / 215/40 24.8″x8.5″
- Suspension: Stock
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Kia Forte EX owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 18×9.5 / 18×9.5-inch wheels fit my Kia Forte EX? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Kia Forte EX owners run 18×9.5 / 18×9.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
