While Toyota and Honda have reigned supreme in the compact sedan and five-door hatchback classes for years, Kia has been rolling out more and more high-quality models with really attractive features than ever before. While Korean cars are traditionally known for being cheap and unreliable, Kia continues to make a name for itself as a quality auto manufacturer and a tough competitor for the bigger Japanese brands.
Key Features
One of the most attractive features of the 2012 Kia Forte is the standard Bluetooth connectivity for all trims. While other manufacturers reserve this feature and their infotainment systems for their luxury trim levels, Kia has included both in all of their models. This is a really attractive move, especially for younger car buyers, who want to stream their music and stay connected when they’re driving.
Changes for 2012
The fuel economy for the new 2012 Kia Forte got a 2-mpg increase for highway miles and a 1-mpg increase for city driving, taking it up to 26 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway for the 6-speed automatic transmission in the 2.0-liter engine option.
What We Like
We like that Kia is really giving the big brands like Toyota, Nissan, and Honda a run for their money, and we love that they’re paying attention and including the features that their key demographics (specifically, young drivers) will most appreciate. We also like the fuel efficiency of the Forte, too.
What Concerns Us
To be completely honest, the 2012 Kia Forte doesn’t perform quite as well as some of the competition. It’s not as fast and doesn’t hug the road as well as the Volkswagen Jetta, the Ford Focus, or the Mazda 3. Also, with Kia’s old reputation for making cheap cars that don’t last, we have a feeling the resale values on the Forte won’t be the best.
Available Models
The base model Forte comes with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 156 horsepower at 6200 RPM and a rating of 26 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. If you upgrade to the 2012 Kia Forte SX, you can get an upgraded 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 173 horsepower at 6000 RPM and a rating of 23 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway.
Major Recalls
There have been no major recalls on the 2012 Kia Forte.
Common Issues
Some drivers have reported issues with oil leaks, and others have complained about the engine inexplicably racing while driving.
