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 11 through 20 of 40.00

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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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  Canadian Kia Forte 5 EX Auto - 2011 Kia Forte
  By canuck29 - November 12 - 7:28 pm

  Purchased 2011 Kia Forte 5 as a commuter car for wife. Test drove hatchback two times and came away feeling it was a good combination of value, space, safety features, fuel ecomomy, performance and interior room. So far have put on approx 900 kilometers ( approx 540 miles) all in the city and have averaged about 27 miles per gallon. Engine and powertrain ( 6 speed automatic) provide good driving dynamics for the class of vehicle. Unknown is Kia service as I suspect new generation of Kia vehicles are probably ahead of the service in terms of quality. Will find out in time.

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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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  steer clear from Kia, Silver Spring Kia and the King automotive group - 2011 Kia Forte
  By planedoc42 - August 15 - 5:29 pm

  In April 2011 I bought Kia Forte. since i drove off the dealers lot the car seemed sluggish like theres a brake or gear is stuck on. Within two weeks after i bought the car i asked the Kia service station to look at the car and thats when a employee at Kia service stated that the catalytic converter could be clogged or not functioning properly. (I think Kia hide him because I never saw him again). Since than my check engine light which i actually thought wouldnt even come on if came on as I was on the beltway coming from my office at Andrews going 60 mph it did come on and the engine automatically slowed down which concerned me because this could have caused an accident during rush hour. A day after the check engine light came on i brought it into the Kia service station and Kia said we reset the light and we do know it was a misfire code but we dont know why or if it will happen again. For a new car this scares me. 6 days later i started my car and began to drive and AGAIN i noticed the check engine light stayed on but went off in 47 seconds Again for a new car this scares me and represents a safety issue and for Kia to disregard safety complaints from customers is disgraceful. The dealer Silver Spring Kia was great UNTIL i bought the car I actually brought the car back 3 days later and told the sales Mgr Laura Jerlet the i had a problem with the car and what i can do now to get trade it or get a refund (again this was after 3 three days) she said "once you buy a Kia your screwed" the dealership GM Betty ann Mendelsohn Aschenbach a the part of the KING AUTO group should be steered away from at all costs, the customer service after you buy the car is awful. So far I spent at least $1000.00 on this car due to something wrong with the engine operation that can be causing the bad fuel economy and the check engine light to come on and slow down in beltway traffic. (it happened 3 times since i bought the car 9 Mounts) Under the Md State Lemon Law I Asked Kia to Re-purchase or at least help me get into a car that doesnt have issues. The BBB arbitrator actually stated at the arbitration hearing before the hearing started "Kia doesnt want to do anything to assist you anyway." I did explain the issues to the Arbertrater (Harold Cohen) and the person from Kia Ted Renfrow explain his side (he lied and covered up issues about the vacuum system and the safety issues i explained To be safe Customers that are looking to buy a new or used car must stay away from Silver Spring Kia. and Kia all together. Kia is a very poorly made very cheaply built car and at highway speeds the car is very unsafe and the Kia corporation that covers up safety issues and lies to customers are best just kept away from.

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  Kia Forte Opinion - 2011 Kia Forte
  By skc6 - May 29 - 2:28 pm

  Purchased Forte in late May 2011. Interioe comfort is good. Mileage could be better that current average of 26 mpg. Took it on vacation and the average mpg jumped to 30.5-more highway miles at higher speeds. On rain slick streets it handles good.

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  Low Priced Car--Great Value, great MPG - 2011 Kia Forte
  By rogern1967 - March 17 - 8:45 am

  I have logged 34k miles with no reliability issues whatsoever. I am nearly 6ft tall, 220lbs, and feel very comfortable in this smallish car. I find it notably more spacious in the footwell than both the Focus and Mazda3 I recently rented on biz trips. I am very partial to manual transmissions, and chose this car for that reason. Clutch action is very predictable, and gear changes are positive. Though this car is not exactly fast, the transmission adds great fun to driving, and I recommend a manual for all people who enjoy driving as I do. I average about 33mpg in mixed driving, 37+ on sustained freeway trips.

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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.

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  Grandsons car - 2011 Kia Forte
  By richard palmateer - December 9 - 10:23 am

  Bought this car for my grandson. He has become a very good mechanic. This car had 73000 miles when purchased and needed shocks and front brakes, which we did ourselves. Overall I was impressed with this car. UPDATE: CAR WAS TOTALED IN APRIL 2017 - FOLDED UP LIKE A TIN CAN! GRANDSON WAS NOT INJURED, AIR BAG WORKED BUT SEAT BELT BROKE. To be fair, the crumple zones were very effective. Crumple zones are designed to take a lot of the impact. This accident was a 45 MPH impact and all he got were burns from the air bag, so I would rate safety at a 5 star.

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  Love This Car - 2011 Kia Forte
  By bjsafe - August 3 - 3:54 am

  Purchased SX model with all option packages (rearview cam, nav, sirius w/traffic, bluetooth, leather, sunroof, push-to-start, heated seats, rear spoiler) for $20K, which was my entering price point. Youd be hard pressed to find all that w/a 10 year warranty in any other car at that price. Owned for one month, put over 3000 miles on it, 1700 on a road trip, 1300 over daily 32 mile roundtrip commute. Gas mileage as advertised. As mentioned in a previous review, pictures dont do this car justice. It is a very attractive car. Incidentally, I was interested also in the Koup but found it too tight of a squeeze at 63". Despite issues listed below, I am totally happy with my purchase.