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 31 through 40 of 40.00-
Top of the class - 2011 Kia Forte
By bitwize01 - March 17 - 9:25 pmI purchased a Kia Forte SX Coupe 2 months back for about 16k. It had 6,000 miles on it and was is great shape. Now that the honeymoon is over Im still very pleased with my purchase. My Kia is definitely turning heads in the parking lot, something that doesnt often happen with a car < 20k. Besides the attractive styling, the comfortable interior with leather and power sunroof (optional) make it a very comfortable daily driver. Further, when youre feeling more engaged, the stiff suspension and ample horsepower make it a blast to drive. Compared to other "economy sport" cars like the Civic or Mazda3, I feel the Forte Koup SX is far and away the best "fun to dollars" ratio.
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A Very Good Deal Among Compact Coupes - 2011 Kia Forte
By 353cathedral - July 28 - 4:39 pmI selected the forte EX coupe over the SX because I didnt want a sunroof and, more important, I already have a set of winter tires and rims that would fit the EX, but not the SX. I was impressed with the long list of standard features that are extra-cost options on cars like the Civic, Cruze, Corolla and Focus. In addition, compact coupes are becoming quite rare now, but the Forte fulfills my needs almost perfectly. Its 156 hp engine, 2845 lbs. weight and 6-speed manual transmission combine for lively performance and excellent gas mileage. In addition, it handles well, absorbs bumps better than my previous vehicle and brakes smoothly. Its also quite unique; Ive seen very few others yet.
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Pros and Cons - 2011 Kia Forte
By 2011kiaforte - May 14 - 6:27 pmI purchased my 2011 Forte EX in January and there are some things I like but others I dont. It is a great city car. If you drive daily on the highway be cautious of strong winds especially when behind an 18-wheeler. It seems to be too aerodynamic and lite in my opinion. I have already been in an accident that cost the other driver about $1,500 to fix a small dent in my drivers door that wasnt hit very hard to begin with. I downgraded from a Volvo S60 so Im not as happy with this car as I was my last, but for a college student driving to and from work and school it is a very reasonable car, although I am looking to trade it in for the Optima at the end of the year.
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KIa Forte 5 EX 2011 - 2011 Kia Forte
By alfa0 - April 15 - 12:55 pmI have Kia Forte 5 for 1 months, I loved hatchbacks before I had VW Golf so I wanted to try Kia.... I didnt read the reviews before I got my car. It is rough car. Every time I get in to not even surface it seems to me that car is going to break down cause of rough and noise inside. Poor gas saving. I like those toys inside for standard trim and fun to drive. If I knew that this car is so rough Id never buy it.
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Forte in PA... - 2011 Kia Forte
By nepaforte - April 5 - 2:23 pmBought a 2010 Forte Koup SX on a great deal. Brand new on the lot with the two features I wanted (Moonroof and auto-dim mirror) for $16,500! Driving on Northeastern PA roads does put this car at a disadvantage: Between too stiff of a ride and 45 profile tires, you REALLY feel everything. Also had the misfortune of busting two tires within a month on the areas wonderful roads... That aside, it handles like a dream, has fun acceleration, is one of the best looking sub-20k cars on the road, and the accelerator pedal can be tweaked to feel better through this guide: http://www.forteforums.com/forums/do-yourself-articles/1342-best-throttle-mod-ever-2.html#post16307
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An car for people who have never driven a honda - 2011 Kia Forte
By bytes220 - February 6 - 4:53 amMy car is a Kia forte SX hatchback. First let me start off by saying that if youre considering this car, Only buy it if you can get it with the six speed manual. The 2.4liter engine is completely unsuited for the 6 speed automatic. All the shift points are wrong meaning that you end up with a car that is 1.5 seconds slower to 60 than the manual and sucks gas like theres no tomorrow. My previous car was a 2004 Honda Accord EX-L with a manual 5 speed transmission. This car had an engine that had less horsepower and torque than the Kia and was quite a bit heavier and larger but it was substantially quicker and got 35% better gas mileage than the Kia. The Honda also handled better.
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LOVE my New Car - 2011 Kia Forte
By waters3 - December 22 - 6:10 pmI purchased a used 2011 Kia Forte. I didnt want a new car Note so I decided to get a used vehicle... I Love my Vehicle. It is the first time I have driven a small vehicle in a very long time... My previous vehicle was a durango. I am getting use to the smaller size but the ride is ok, I love the interior design. I love the gas milage.
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first 500 miles - 2011 Kia Forte
By walt35 - December 19 - 10:33 pmI traded my three year old PT Cruiser... which I would have kept if it had not gotten such awful fuel enonomy.. So I wanted another hatch back. The seating position of the Forte is like a race car .. I have to get used to that and the smaller wheel.. but handling is precise and very fun.. The Korean tires are made with nylon rather than polyester which I think causes too firm a ride at times.. They otherwise handle just fine.. I had to pay a guy to put on painted body side mouldings.. KIA does not offer factory body side mouldings.. that was a small pain ... first tank of gas with mixed driving was 27.. thats good... Overall quite happy so far.
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Worth the money - 2011 Kia Forte
By skaterer - June 29 - 9:51 pmPurchased an SX model with all the options including NAV. Just been a few weeks. So far so good. A few rattles, but nothing major.
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A good car, but not a great one - 2011 Kia Forte
By forte5 - March 11 - 6:14 pmI have had my Forte 5 SX with manual for about 29k miles. It has been completely reliable. I find it spacious, get 30mpg with suburban driving, its very quick, and the controls are easy to use. Negatives are a rough around town ride that smooths out on the highway, it can be noisy on rough road surfaces, the throttle it too light and aggressive - making it hard to drive smoothly.
