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 11 through 18 of 18.00

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  20k miles in... great car - 2012 Kia Forte
  By morningland - August 22 - 7:55 am

  I got this car because of the fold down seats and the great interest rate. I do a lot of camping and traveling so the fold down seats were critical since I sometimes car camp. I am able to comfortably lay down in the back area for a cat nap during a long trip or to get a good nights sleep. I am trading it in only because I want the four wheel drive but this car performed pretty decent on forest roads for what it is. It rides very nice too. I borrowed some chevy car of the same size for a week and when I got my Forte back, it felt like driving butter! It is reliable too. 20k miles and not a single engine problem at all!

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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.

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  Amazing car for the price - 2012 Kia Forte
  By marco34 - August 18 - 1:14 am

  I purchased the Kia Forte Hatchback (really a wagon) with 16,000 miles for $12,400. I drive short distances to work and weekly long highway trips to family. Recently got 43.7 mpg on a flat highway for a 100 mile drive. Normally average 25 mpg in the city. Easy to hit 36 mpg on the highway at 70-75 mph. Absolutely no problems at current miles of 27K miles on the odometer-only oil changes so far.

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  Great value at a very good price! - 2012 Kia Forte
  By bd21 - July 29 - 5:46 am

  The Kia Forte is a well engineered vehicle that I believe is best in class for the price. I paid $17,713.00 out the door for a EX 5-door in Titanium with stone interior. My car was equipped with auto-dimming mirror w/compass, wheel locks, rear bumper applique, cargo net, cargo tray, spashguards and an i-pod cable. I had no trade-in and the price included 6% sales tax and all dealer fees. I did get $2,000.00 in rebates. This car is fun to drive around town and on the interstate. Im very impressed with the design, quality and functionality of this car. I dont think you will find a better car under $21K.