Overview & Reviews

For 2012, the Kia Forte lineup returns largely unchanged save for the midrange EX model, which gets a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. Revised gauges have also been added to the EX Technology package.

• Excellent handling in SX trim.
• Affordable pricing
• Long warranty
• Wide variety of body styles

• Lackluster interior
• Rear seat short on legroom.
• Tepid handling except for SX
• Intrusive road noise

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 18.00

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  Love my Forte! - 2012 Kia Forte
  By double77s - December 6 - 5:04 am

  I decided to purchase the Forte Sedan because of all the features I got for the best price. Kia also has the best warranty in the business and that is what truly sealed the deal for me. I do not have a great history with cars and was reluctant to have a car payment again. I chose Kia because if something goes wrong...its covered by warranty. Also, I am driving the most fun car I have ever owned. Sunroof, satellite radio, and very comfortable seats sold me when I took the test drive. This is the smallest car Ive owned but it drives like a bigger car and is great on gas. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a great car with great features and warranty at a great price.

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  Absolutely LOVE this car!! - 2012 Kia Forte
  By sarbronson - October 27 - 12:14 am

  I bought my car two weeks ago and I am so happy with it! I have four kids ages 13-4 including a car seat and we fit comfortably in this car!! My transaction was clean, and simple and I cannot recommend this car enough!

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  Perfect So Far - 2012 Kia Forte
  By mustrockon - December 13 - 8:13 am

  Ive owned this car for 3 weeks and absolutely love it. I traded in my 2010 Nissan Sentra SR. I have a dog that is close to 100lbs and he fits in the hatch area no problem. It came with leather, a sunroof, bluetooth, all cargo accessories, heated seats, great radio, and Ipod plugin. It has some serious getup and go even transferring from Nissans CVT which I wasnt sure about. My nissan was fully loaded, but didnt have all the features of this Kia for the same drive out price 21K. I have gone on 3 long distance trips already getting 29+ mpg hwy/city without even being broken in. If you live in Houston area go to the dealership in Conroe, theyll treat you right. Couldnt be more pleased.

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  Great MPG ffrom automatic... - 2012 Kia Forte
  By waltchan - August 2 - 6:18 pm

  I rented one, and this Forte gets up to 50-55 MPG on highway if cruising only up to 50 mph speed (no higher) at the magic, low 1,500 RPM mark, A/C off, cruise control on, and windows closed. Accelerate this Forte very carefullly by not letting it run higher than 1,500 RPM for each and all transmission gears it shifts from stop to go in city driving, regardless if other drivers behind you find you too slow. Shift to neutral for all downhill driving as much as possible to receive up to 100 MPG. Shift back to drive if neutral driving reaches below 50 mph. Anyone can do it. Happy traveling...

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  Love, love, love my Kia Forte! - 2012 Kia Forte
  By doitalone - September 29 - 5:25 am

  Its a fun car to drive. Even with being one of the bigger hatchbacks on the market, (I call it a mini-SUV) its got great handling and fun engine. My previous car was a suped up Ford Focus, and I actually like driving this Kia more. The back seat provides a ton of room for passengers. Seats are comfortable to sit in, and I drive 40 minutes to and from work most mornings and never have problems with my knees or back - which was a problem with my focus and sometimes my boyfriends civic. The price is a little high for the SX version - but see if you can find rebate deals. I got mine on a lease fully loaded for $250 a month. If I choose to buy it out Ill only pay $20,000 total.

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  new car - 2012 Kia Forte
  By crunchyed - August 18 - 9:51 am

  I traded my 2009 Nissan Versa Hatchback for the 2012 Kia Forte Ex. So far I love it. It had all the bells and whistles that I wanted without the extra cost. Its a lot more fun to drive than the versa.

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  Nice Tweener Car - 2012 Kia Forte
  By brianth - April 15 - 8:23 pm

  The five-door SX lives between base-level economy hatches and higher performance (and higher cost) cars like the GTI, WRX, and Mazdaspeed3. You will likely not see many of these, probably because the Soul gets most of the attention in Kias sub-Sportage slot, but we use ours as an urban family car, and for that purpose it is an excellent value--ample interior room and good cargo space with the rear seats in use, nice standard features and reasonable options, and classy "European" styling. Given the pricing available on this Kia, particularly in relation to newer-model used cars these days, we are still very happy with our choice.

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  Really good, roomy and nice looking car and great value! - 2012 Kia Forte
  By mazda5forme - February 26 - 6:39 pm

  Everytime we buy a new car, we look at all the brands and compare. Mazda, Toyotas, Honda, Fords, etc. We currently have 2 Fords and we also have a Mazda5 that we bought new a few years ago, that my college age daughter is now using.We bought a brand new 2011 KIA Sorento SX suv in March. Very impressed with the quality and value, also the styling. Then we needed a car for my wife, and looked at everything in the way of small sedans. To make a long story short, we bought a 2012 KIA Forte 5 door EX.

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  Perfect little car! - 2012 Kia Forte
  By mai_sai - February 28 - 7:09 pm

  Dont let the price tag fool you, this car is well built. It doesnt give that cheap feel youd expect from a lower budget vehicle. The interior is very comfortable for my petite frame, I dont have trouble seeing the road or maneuvering. My larger passengers seem quite comfortable as well. Has a peppy engine and tight suspension, shifts smoothly, very quiet, brakes effortlessly.. This car does well on winding roads. The feel of the car when driving it is very similar to the 11 Ford Focus. My Forte has high mileage (70,000 miles) & hasnt had a single problem, runs great, & is very dependable which is great since the Focus started having problems at 21,000 miles.

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  Thyrome - 2012 Kia Forte
  By abair1 - October 3 - 1:47 pm

  This car is a tank! I was not paying as much attention as I should have been and nearly rear ended a truck but instead jerked the wheel at like 40 mph skidded sideways like 50 ft and hit and then jumped a curb, all it did was give the rim a small bit of rim rash it still drives fine and is still in alignment. The mileage though is not what it said it should be even though using medium grade does make a notable difference in this and power. And it is sorta peppy. It has plenty of room, I am almost 6 and am not skinny. And yes it drives like butter, only problem is the stock tires are not very shall we say "grippy". I am at 35,000 miles with absolutely no issue just tune-up type stuff.