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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  2011 Forte EX - 2011 Kia Forte
  By skinsfanjack - September 23 - 8:11 am

  I have now owned my new Forte for one month. Have driven it just over 1,000 miles in mostly city driving and have achieved an average of 30MPG. I am a BIG guy, 63" and 260#. I find more leg, head, shoulder and hip room in this Kia than others in its class. It is comfortable to drive - but maybe not so much on a long trip. Has many creature comforts not found without extra cost on the competition. If I have a complaint it is that it feels a little light and "squirelly" in Interstate driving, so one must pay attention. I was used to a big Oldsmobile before checking on most cars in this class, all of whom came up short except for the Hyundai Elantra. The Kia won the coin toss.

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  poor gas mileage - 2011 Kia Forte
  By lucymo - April 7 - 4:06 am

  I have owned it for a month. It has 20K miles on it. So far, it does 19 mpg 50/50 mixed. I am very disappointed in this. My other cars (a CUV and a wagon) give me 22 mpg/city!!!!

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  Good value, roomy for its class, lacks great handling - 2011 Kia Forte
  By turgon - January 15 - 8:09 am

  I traded in my 8 year old Pontiac Vibe for the Forte EX (ECO), which I use as a long-distance commuter car. I purchased the Forte on price and decent reviews after test driving some of the competition in this class. I am happy with the acceleration, comfort, interior space, and styling of the vehicle. Combined gas mileage thus far through the first 2k miles has averaged in the low 30s mpg in my commute of mixed highway and city driving, which is virtually identical to my former Vibe and acceptable to me as the Forte ECO is rated 37/27. Steering still feels a bit uncertain to me and handling on windy roads does not compare to my former Vibe, which I did not notice in my initial test drive.

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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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  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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  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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  Great Car Overall - 2011 Kia Forte
  By john57110 - August 14 - 5:10 am

  I purchased this vehicle for commuting and as a safe reliable vehicle to pass on to my teenage son. So far I am mostly satisfied with my Forte. It is really comfortable for a small car and it is much quieter than any other small car I have been in. I have the technology package with the nav, backup camera and smartkey. The smartkey is a feature I never knew I wanted, now I cant imagine not having it. I am very pleased with the way this car drives on ice and snow due to the stability and traction control. My only real complaint is the fuel economy. I currently average 28 mpg, mostly highway driving and was really expecting it to be better. Overall I am satisfied and think its a good value.

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  Forte SX hatch vs. Mazda 3 or Elantra Touring - 2011 Kia Forte
  By rb7385899 - July 13 - 4:06 am

  We already have an 09 elantra touring. The Kia is a step up (173 hp, 6 speed auto) and better styled. We cross shopped it against the Mazda 3 (too little rear seat room) and Subaru Forrester (noisy, handles worse). After about 1,000 miles im pretty satisifed with the Kia. Returning about 26 mpg on my commute, and is fully loaded (leather, sunroof, power everything for $21K and change). Much peppier than the elantra, which I still love anyway.

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  Kia Forte SX - 2011 Kia Forte
  By rgebbia - June 20 - 3:39 pm

  Have had this car since July. Have 7300 miles. Car is loaded with Nav, sunroof, leather, Sirius radio, rear camera, etc...Its comfortable inside, good drive on the highway, handling isnt bad but the Jetta I also tested didnt handle any better surprisingly. It has great acceleration for a 4-cylinder, non-turbo and the 2.5 engine is what makes the difference. My only complaints so far are the suspension and the gas mileage. I do mostly highway driving and am only getting 26 - 28 mpg. Also, I feel every bump, big or small in this car. Great value for the money and will be a good car to hand down to the kids but not sure I would purchase another.