Overview & Reviews

For 2011, the Kia Forte lineup finally gets a six-speed automatic transmission, a new four-door hatchback body style and a minor equipment shuffle.

• Excellent handling in SX trim
• Affordable pricing
• Long warranty
• Standard Bluetooth.
• Good fuel economy

• Tepid handling except for SX
• Telescoping steering wheel only available on top trim level.
• Road noise can be intrusive on some surfaces

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 40.00

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  The Love for Kia begins... - 2011 Kia Forte
  By scrutinizer2 - September 16 - 5:35 am

  I have been researching this and many other vehicles for many years. This car in particular has always been at the top of my list of FWD sedans and hatchbacks. FINALLY GOT IT! The SX Forte has an enormous amount of power for a four cylinder, best in class handling, and to my surprise, it also rides very comfortably. Go Kia for Great Value, Best Warranty, and Good Steering Feel! The EPA estimated 32mpg on highway. But I wanted to test the best that it could do. After driving in the MOST ECO-FRIENDLY manner, the car went 39mpg on the highway!

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  good ride - 2011 Kia Forte
  By cdog77 - June 19 - 3:17 pm

  Had it for 8 months now and made 6 road trips and love the comfort and mileage. Would definitely suggest it to anyone.

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  Wonderfully, Disappointing - 2011 Kia Forte
  By juego - May 28 - 4:48 pm

  I would look at Mazda 5 again, but the Kia value as a 2.0 liter hatchback with the long warranties, roadside assistance, and all the standard features, likes Bluetooth, satellite radio, and safety equipment is hard to beat. Speaking about safety, I keep getting cruiser and volume controls mix up on the steering wheel. Hopefully, I will differentiate them before it’s too late.

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  Nice car - 2011 Kia Forte
  By Rick - June 29 - 10:09 am

  Nice car, purchased new in 2011. No problems!! Gas mileage is disappointing, only 31-32. Does not have a "engine temperature" gage only an "idiot light".

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  Luv my kias - 2011 Kia Forte
  By 04spectre - January 13 - 2:25 am

  Traded in our 04 Optima EX V-6 @ 133,000 for our Forte. The Optima was a great car. Only had to replace the starter. Absolutely luv the forte. Spirited 2.0L, great 6sp auto. Outstanding gas mileage, on a trip from Jax, Fl to Philly it avg over 40 mpg during 1 tank run, i.e. 403 miles and only took 9.7 gal to fill. Averaged 37-38 mpg on the trip. A definite gas saver over the 2.7L Optima. I am 61", 256#, a little cramped but otherwise REALLY like this car. Started out with a 2001 Sephia, bought 02 Optima EX V-6 for Mama, Traded both cars in on the same day in Dec 03 for an 04 Spectra and the 04 Optima. Still have the Spectra @ over 103,000 miles.

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  Fast and furious - 2011 Kia Forte
  By Paula - January 13 - 5:51 pm

  Love driving the car. Steering is super easy and smooth, hugs the corners, glides right down the high-way and the power is there when you need it. I love the look of it... got mine in white, very girly. Cutest car in the universe. I find it extremely comfortable and so does my 120 LB Labradane. Hes got plenty of room to stretch out in the back seat and is perfectly fine hopping in and out. Overall I love the car and look forward to driving it daily. Technology... Okay so maybe I am spoiled because I came from a 2015 automobile with all of the cool techie features. I mean the XM is good but options and sound quality is awful. Speakers are awful. Could have spent a little more for the navigation and back up camera. Since I got such a good deal on this car I have asked the dealer to upgrade the radio/system/speakers. Problem fixed.

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  I am coming back 5 years later to write this - 2011 Kia Forte
  By kinsey - November 29 - 3:38 am

  I absolutely adored this car. Bought it brand new off the lot, had one weird fluttering valve issue to start, that got fixed immediately and for free, and then I literally never had a single problem with this car since. It was reliable; I drove it 4 hours to and fro from college to visit home quite a few times, and I took this thing across the US in three days. Fantastic. I just totalled it (I am unhurt, thank you, KIA!) and am already on the hunt for my next Kia. I guess a lot of people complain about road noise? I didnt notice. Stereo could be a bit better and front seat a bit more comfy. I never did any of the 15,000/ 25,000 whatever mile maintenance either. They kept telling me the car was in such great shape I didnt need to and it looks like they were right.

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  Outstanding Value - Fun To Drive - Safety No. One - 2011 Kia Forte
  By btatr - September 24 - 4:25 pm

  Our priorities ar safety, comfort, fuel efficiency, and the fun to drive quality. We bought a KIA 5 Door SX and love it! We think its tons of fun to and the price was very reasonable. If that isnt enough, the warranty is fantastic. The Forte has a vast array of safety features such as Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, etc. The silky smooth, powerful 2.4 Liter Engine in the SX model packs plenty of power and is far superior to the 2.0 Liter version in the EX model. Every day we cant wait to drive this car. Compare it with the 2012 Ford Focus Hatchback and see which one you prefer.

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  Minor glitches, not getting MPG advertised - 2011 Kia Forte
  By sschultz - September 7 - 2:41 am

  I bought the 2011 Kia Forte 5-door four weeks ago and already need to head into the shop. The clock quit working on a drive the other day, the key fab control for the hatch isnt functioning and the power outlet casing comes out when I try to remove my ipod charger. Relatively minor things - but it is a new car. Averaging 30MPG (not included in the trip computer, but a manual calculation) driving 60 miles highway every day. Im not an inefficient driver so unclear on when Im going to start getting 34MPG. Overall its a fun car to drive but have concerns about the build quality and reliability of electronic components specifically.

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  Great Car - 2011 Kia Forte
  By lorri66 - February 21 - 2:35 pm

  I was not in the market for a Kia and had no intention of buying one. I had my heart set on a new Honda Civic but decided to test drive the Kia Forte to compare against the Honda. The Kia turns out to have vastly more features than the Honda including, bluetooh, Sirius radio, cruise control, internet capability to name a few. Plus the warranty on the Kia is far better than what you would normally get with a Honda. And at the dealership I went to Dick Hannah Kia in Vancouver Washington they offer you free tires for life and other services that I have never heard of with any other dealership. My salesman was very knowledgeable and seemed to really care about me. Thank you Luis.