Customer Reviews for 2012_Kia_Forte

2012_Kia_Forte

Average Customer Rating:
4.682 of 5
4.7
 of 
5
(22 Reviews) 22
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Snapshot (22 reviews)
5 stars
17
4 stars
3
3 stars
2
2 stars
0
1 star
0
20 of 22(91%)customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for 2012_Kia_Forte
Review 1 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

love it

May 17, 2013
By flobett
from pa
Comfort
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"always had dodge trucks so when I seen this I was not sure if it would move,
it is smaller than my truck but it moves, pretty and I have to say you have to try it to understand, it is fun to drive, I love it.
"
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Just getting around
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 2 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Best car i've owned

March 16, 2013
By Teresa
from Yonkers, NY
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"I bought this car from Yonkers Kia.Joe Paltucci was the best salesman I could have asked for. He bent over backwards to help. The general manager was also amazing! Yonkers Kia is the friendliest dealer ship I have been to. They really work hard to please their customers. My kia is great on gas mileage and so reliable! It's the most comfortable car to drive."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Just getting around
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 3 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Good, but not perfect.

December 5, 2012
By Bluepig
from South Jordan, UT
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value for the Money
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"Prior to this vehicle I have been driving VW Jetta's, and enjoy the ride, but hate the mileage. So I went to the KIA dealer and they said the car gets between 26-36 with a combined of 31 mpg.
I have had my KIA Forte 5 EX for 9,110 miles and feel ready to render my review. I drive a commute that is 90% highway, and 10% mixed suburban driving. At Utah highway speeds (70-75) I have never once gotten better than 27.8. As a test I have taken the Legacy Highway out and back twice (55 mph) to see if the vehicle could get anything close to 36. NOPE, I got 28.4 doing 55 mph, so the mileage rating is wrong.
The other hit I would give the car is in the area of hard braking. When a car dives in front of you and you are forced to aggressively attack the brakes, the car walks hard to the right, and unless you let off the brakes, you will be drawn into the other lane. I have done it twice and did not like the results of either emergency.
When I went looking, the KIA actually had a better fit and finish than the new Jetta's I was considering.
Nothing on my KIA has come apart; the seats handle my 230lb girth w/o complaint and are not breaking down. The tires are wearing well (a good indication of the suspension). The basic sound system is all I need, and having the incorporation of my Bluetooth phone is really nice. I did add the upgraded rear view myself, and front mud flaps, but otherwise the car is factory.
After renting several Jetta's I am glad I did not buy one. The headliner in each rental was coming apart by the cabin lighting and storage, as well as by the door jams. The carpet is cheap and the seats wear poorly.
I purchased this vehicle for its advertised mileage, and in that regard the purchase is a failure, as I am loosing almost 10 mpg over expectations, or increasing my costs by over 25% per year. My wife’s 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is getting better mileage in two wheel drive than my KIA.
So if you want a well-built car that is fun to drive with plenty of headroom, the Forte 5 is a good car. If you’re looking for mileage, you might consider the Hyundai Elantra as my son’s car is getting 31-39. When he drove from SLC Utah to Dover DE he got 41 mpg.
Hyundai sent my son a letter apologizing for the incorrectly advertised mileage, and offered him a refund for the difference. When I got to replacing this vehicle in early 2014, I will be looking for something that actually gets the mileage the salesmen and sticker promote. Kia might consider doing the same thing, so they don’t lose other business beside mine.
Hyundai Elantra hatchback, here I come."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Commuting
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 4 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Forte SX 2.0 2012

October 5, 2012
By Nacho
from Argentina
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"I drive the "forte" of routes in Patagonia Argentina. It is comfortable, quiet, the radio sound is excellent. The routes and climate here are very aggressive but the forte does it all. The car is noisy when accelerating at high speed. But then it is super quiet. Forte is a fascinating car that makes me happy."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Work
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 5 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

One year after purchase review our 2012 Forte EX

September 27, 2012
By ForteForUs!
from Los Angeles, CA.
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"And it's all good news! My wife loves it, a 2012 Forte 5 door hatchback now has 14,000 miles...trouble free. We were so impressed that I bought myself a 2013 Forte Koup SX.
Mileage is terrific, recently my wife took a 300 mile trip to visit her sister, averaged 28 mpg on freeway and climbing the steep prolonged "Grapevine" summit here in SoCal was easily handled by the KIA!
The car is holding up perfectly, no issues or problems and everything is as new still. It is a great long distance car, comfortable and quiet, the stereo and the Sirrius radio keeps you company, and the hands free bluetooth system allows easy cell phone calls."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Commuting
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 6 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

BEST LOOKING CAR I'VE EVER OWNED

September 8, 2012
By LOVE MY KIA
from DANVILLE VA
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"I LOVE THIS CAR IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I AM DRIVING AN EXPENSIVE SPORTS CAR. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD IT FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS. I'LL ADMIT THAT I HAD TO GET ACCUSTOM TO THE STEERING BECAUSE I WAS OVER STEERING THE CAR ,BUT NOW THAT I KNOW HOW TO DRIVE THE IT'S MUCH BETTER."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Just getting around
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 7 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Nice Sports Coupe

September 1, 2012
By HatestoShop
from Austin, TX
Comfort
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Performance
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
"After 6 months of car shopping, I bought a 2012 Kia Forte Koup SX based on its looks & performance. Since I was replacing a Nissan 240SX, I wanted a sports coupe for looks and a 2.4L DOHC for performance. The Forte Koup SX has both at a very reasonable price. I chose the base model with a spoiler (no leather or nav package). It still came with Sirius XM radio + USB port for my iPod/phone. I really like the radio/phone controls on the steering wheel for no-look music. I also like the 6-way adjustable driver's seat. Would definitely recommend this car -- at the very least, take a test drive. It's a fun car to drive & I enjoy the looks I get!"
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Commuting
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 8 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Best car yet

August 11, 2012
By Kia lover
from Cleveland, Ohio
Comfort
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"I've never owned a Kia before. I've had a Ford Taurus, Escort and Saturn SL2. I'd say the Forte is the luxury of those cars.
I'm not great at writing reviews, but I'll give some brief thoughts. I love the power it has. It also gets 36-40 mpg highway mileage. City mileage kind of sucks, but there's nothing we can do about that.
The interior is great to sit in. One big complaint I have is the short arm rest in the middle consol. You can't really rest your arm on it.
Other then tat, I love it."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Commuting
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 9 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

My little secret

June 7, 2012
By Ms. Particular
from Florida
Comfort
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"I am very happy with my 2.4 litre Sx Hatchback and that is coming from a string of expensive luxury and European sports cars. I had to look twice when it was parked next to an almost identical Lexus.
This car is both practical and sporty. It's fun to drive, responsive, easy to turn around, and park. The visability is good I've found if the driver mirror is adjusted out far enough. The larger motor in this model gives you all the power you need for safety, unlike it's competitors, in highway passing or mountain terrain and still provides great mileage.
You don't have to pull over and park to figure out how to work any of it's convenience systems and and there are many. It is fitted standard with everything you'd want and more, and almost as importantly, just exactly where you'd want it. The usb is not under the tissue box in the center console or some other irritating place like that for which I have no patience. Both doors have a place for my water thermos in addition to the two center drink holders. There are two in the center arm rest in the rear as well.
Other much appreciated little things stand out that I didn't find on other cars such as the adjustable red dash lighting, metal finish on the pedals and foot rest, the leather boot on the plus/minus automatic shifter with addl paddle controls, tilting sunroof, and leather wrapped steering wheel give it more of a sports car feel and look. That's not to mention the bluetooth, XM, etal.
You can't believe how much stuff I can get into this vehicle by looking at it. I made the dealer give me a rubber mat for the back which I would recommend because I'm always carrying something. I could live for a week with what I have packed in the storage compartments under the rear deck. It would be nice if it had six way seats but then again I really don't want anyone else driving it."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Just getting around
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
Review 10 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Kia is going to rule the market

May 30, 2012
By Avid Car Researcher
from Boise, Idaho
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"After several months of test driving and researching cars, I bought the 2012 Kia Forte 5 SX. All I can say is...wow! I would have never believed this was a Kia if the Kia badge wasn't on the front. This is a fine automobile at a good price! I feel like I'm driving an Audi or Acura, not a Kia. I think Kia is poised and ready to dominate the market.
The handling, acceleration, and quality are second to none. Some have complained about a "stiff" ride. If you want a car that rides like a boat, then buy a Buick. The ride is firm but responsive, I give it 5 stars for a compact car.
Visibility is excellent and the steering is refined and accurate. Pleanty of room for my 100lbs German Shepherd in the back with the seats folded down. I am 5'11" / 175 pounds and have pleanty of room. After I positioned the front seat, I jumped behind it to check the leg room. I had enough room for my legs, shoulders, and head to fit comfortably.
If you are in the market for this type of car, then buy the Kia."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Commuting
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 11 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Best Car in It's Class

May 24, 2012
By BeepBeep
from Stamford, CT
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"I had my heart set on a Hyandai Elantra until I went into a local Kia Dealership to kill time between appts. The Kia dealership offered tons of incentives & the Forte has more trunk space, a roomier interior, & more base model features then the Elantra. The Kia also felt more "solid" & had a smoother ride.
I've owned the car for 4 months(5,200 miles) & LOVE IT! Highway MPG is 33-34 @ 65-70mph & city is around 28-30mpg. The trunk is HUGE! The seats are comfortable & the interior is roomy & user friendly (I love the side water bottle holders). I traded in a Volvo S60 for my new Kia Forte and feel as if I "traded up" in comfort.
Acceleration is quick and there is a super tight turning radius which I love. The car does feel a little light (out of control) if a curve in the road is taken too fast. That and the poor rear view visibility are the only negatives I have with the car."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Just getting around
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 12 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Good Value and Kinda Fun

April 16, 2012
By TAG
from Joliet, IL
Comfort
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Performance
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"I was looking for a new car for over 3 months and had test driven 11 different compact cars that were on my list. A KIA wasn't on that list until I saw a photo of of a Forte SX 5dr.
Took one for a test drive and I was sold. The car has a definite personality. It's not perfect, the ride is a bit harder than it has to be, the interior could use some additional soft touch plastics here or there, and the brakes could be a bit more progressive.
But, the pluses way out number the negatives. The main plus is value. The price to feature equation beats all its competition hands down. It's styling is tasteful and distictive. It's performance is on par or better than everything else I test drove. Also with the ridiculously fair deal I got, plus a $1000 rebate, I can buy a ton of gas with the many thousands of $ I saved over comparable/liked equipped competitors that may get a few more mile per gallon."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Commuting
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 13 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
3 out of 5
3 out of 5

good value

March 24, 2012
By Val
from Syracuse NY
Comfort
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Performance
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Exterior Styling
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Interior Design
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Value for the Money
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"The 2012 Kia I bought is a good buy if you are zipping around the city. The only thing that I did not like was how it handled going over bumpy roads at 70mph. It felt like you could lose control very easy. Bought the car in September of 2011 and have traded it in for a new car with a better suspension. I worried because I have a teenager that drives this car and did not like how it handled. Everything else was great about the car. Would not recomend this car if you have young drivers."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: No
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Commuting
0points
1out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 14 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Value Plus

February 8, 2012
By PATRICK
from Morris Plains, New Jersey
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"My 2012 Kia Forte Koup 6 speed manual transmission is one amazing sporty car for the money. It is packed with accessories at a reasonable price. The sport suspension ride holds true on twisty country roads and has firm but comfortable leather bucket seats. There is lots of room up front with all instruments within easy reach. The 6 speed stick shift is the most fun on twisting country roads as it has a smooth short throw between gears which mesh willingly. The power and gear ratios are in perfect harmony for this 4 cylinder engine riding on 17" Good Year Eagle tires. The steering is very direct and precise. My mileage is about 26 MPG around town on regular gas. The stereo sound and mood lighting are super. Rear fold down seats provide extra cargo space when needed. Overall, this car is a winner and a sleeper to be feared by other Japanese competitors. Also, how could you beat a 5 year 60,000 mile basic warranty which is a testament to a quality product. I would recommend a test drive to validate my positive assessment.
Minor negative comments:
<> The glove box and trunk can not be locked.
<> The left foot rest and clutch pedal could have greater separation distance.
<> Map pockets behind the front seats are omitted.
"
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Just getting around
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 15 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Found My Forte

January 23, 2012
By StoppedLooking
from Glendale AZ
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"I narrowed my search based on price and reliability.
You can't beat 100k miles. Most cars I looked at had most of same features, so it came down to price. The size of the Forte is deceptive. I rides like a high end sedan, but looks sporty and easily fits five passengers with lots of rear seat legroom. It is luxury without a high price. It fits my needs.
"
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Just getting around
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 16 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
3 out of 5
3 out of 5

It runs but nothing special

December 19, 2011
By Reliable
from Bethesda, MD
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Exterior Styling
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Interior Design
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value for the Money
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Reliability
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
"The car runs. I wanted something reliable, as my last Japanese car lasted more than 25 years but got too expensive to maintain. The Forte operates and has more bells and whistles than the last car but gas mileage and handling hasn't improved all that much in 25 years.
I've only put about 2,000 miles on it so far, so I don't know how long it will hold up. But both the windshield and rear mirror are small and give less view than I'm used to. Also, for whatever reason, reflections appear in the windshield and side windows which are annoying and obstruct the view. And there are big blind spots in the back. These view problems can be safety hazards.
Fortunately, I haven't needed the safety features (anti-lock brakes, airbags, etc.), so I can't say if they work.
It is comfortable to drive, though.
"
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: No
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Just getting around
-4points
0out of 4found this review helpful.
Review 17 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Best car so far!

December 7, 2011
By Very Pleased!
from Burlington, NC
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"I'm a 23 year old recent grad and this is my 5th car. I originally wanted the optima turbo but it just got a little to pricy. Saw the Forte SX Sedan on the lot, fully loaded. Nav, Backup Cam, Leather, Auto Dim Mirror, and Bluetooth. I was just thrilled. Car drives very nice and the warranty is even better. I love the push button start and the little beep it makes when I lock the door. I especially love the auto headlights. It's one less thing I have to worry about. I walked away at a 25k price tag but I'm very pleased with my Forte."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Work
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 18 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Love My Kia

October 28, 2011
By Kia for me!
from Grandville, MI
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"Favorite color, low to the ground for excellent turning, easy to park and plenty of room. 2nd Kia I have bought and great incentives, too."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Just getting around
0points
1out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 19 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Great Car!!

October 25, 2011
By Car Lover
from TX
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"I took this car on a road trip to Missouri. It got 38 mpg. Very comfortable car, handles very well and roomy enough for us. I made a great choice!"
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Just getting around
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 20 for 2012_Kia_Forte
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Great Car, Awesome Deal

September 25, 2011
By New Owner
from Houston, TX
Comfort
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Performance
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Exterior Styling
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Interior Design
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value for the Money
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Reliability
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
"I recently drove (and purchased) a 2012 Kia Forte EX.
Previously we owned a Kia Sportage, and while we loved it, it definitely had some things we didn't like, for instance, sluggish acceleration, and the steering felt very stiff.
When driving the Kia Forte, the first thing I noticed was how comfortable it felt in the seat. It wasn't too fancy, and compared to some of the other cars we drove before choosing this one, we didn't have to get used to any strange shifters, we didn't have to squint to read any of the information on the odometer, we didn't have to pop open the manual to learn how to use the radio (or even the satellite radio).
Performance wise, the acceleration is fantastic in comarison to other cars in its class. I was impressed how responsive it was in comparison to others, but most especially in comparison to our previous Kia.
The interior is adequate, nothing to write home about, but it looks nice. The back seats are very roomy, and when everyone who looks in the trunk is amazed at how much room there is.
The turning radius is pretty good which is helpful when making U-turns and such. Some things I didn't like about it -- the steering still felt very tight. I also didn't like that we had hubcaps on (or wheelcovers or whatever they are). I feel alloy wheels should have been standard, and unfortunately they weren't even an option out of the car choices we had at the dealership.
While the road noise is good.. (very quiet on the freeway) I was not impressed with the shocks on bumpy roads. Its like you can feel almost every pothole.
Not to flip flop too much here, but also, the fuel economy is very good, even though we didn't opt in for the Eco model. The tank was filled when we left the dealer, and we started the trip counter then, nearly 120 - 130 miles later and we haven't even hit a half of a tank. (I believe the tank holds 12 gallons).
I am very content with my purchase, and you can't go wrong with a 5 year bumper to bumper warranty, which is the reason we bought our first Kia. Kia has always seemed to have a reputation of being just a cheaply made, somewhat unreliable car, and usually my thought process was, they weren't very stylish. The Forte is just one of the models that proves all of that wrong. When people hear about the other cars we looked at before purchase, they are astounded we ended up with the car we did. After riding in it, it pretty much speaks for itself.
If you're looking for a sedan with a lot of the best technology standard and great mechanical performance (that doesn't look half bad either) do yourself a favor and try the Forte. It could really put things in perspective on what you get, for what you pay."
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: Yes
This vehicle was purchased: New
Primary use for this car: Commuting
+12points
12out of 12found this review helpful.