Used 2011 Kia Forte for sale 

The Kia Forte is available in three different trims. The base trim, the LX, is available with two transmissions setup; a 6-speed-manual transmission and a 6-speed-automatic transmission. The mid-level and top-of-the-line trim, the EX, and SX are available with an automatic-transmission setup only. The price range in which the Forte falls starts a little under the shade of $15,000 and extends up to $18,895 for the top-trim.

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We recommend buying the top-rack trim, the SX, for a luxurious driving experience. The extensive list of features including remote engine start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and fog lamps; make the top-of-the-line variant the most viable option. At $18,895, might feel rather expensive but it does provide a lot of value for the money that the buyer spends on purchasing the vehicle.

Offered with the Kia Forte are two different engine options; a 2.0L I-4 engine that is capable of 156hp of power and 144lb.-ft of torque. The second engine option on offer is a 2.4L inline-4 engine that is capable of granting the sedan with higher power and torque outputs at 173hp and 163lb.-ft respectively.

As standard, the Forte makes use of a 6-speed-manual or 6-speed-automatic transmission depending on the variant one chooses from with the exception that the top-rack variant gets paddle shifters which improves the overall driving experience. The Kia Forte races to the 60 MPH mark in 9.2 seconds making it the fastest car in the segment. In the quarter-mile run, the Kia Forte clocks 17.1 seconds.

In the segment, all cars are channeled as front-wheel-drive variants only. While the Kia and Hyundai are mated to a 6-speed-automatic transmission, the Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla make use of a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Toyota Corolla has the lowest power and torque output in the segment at 148hp and 131lb.-ft respectively, yet it manages to keep up with its competitor. 

While performance figures for the Ford Focus are not known, the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla manage 9.4 and 9.8 seconds respectively to the 60 MPH mark and can complete the quarter-mile mark in 17 and 17.4 seconds respectively.

Traditional buyers in the niche segment that features the Kia Forte have high fuel efficiency expectations since these cars are typically purchased to be family sedans and/or are to be driven on a daily basis. The Kia Forte works well by registering economical fuel figures. The Kia Forte averages a mileage of 26 MPG in the city which subsequently increases to 36 MPG while cruising on the highway. Combined, the Kia Forte manages 29 miles per gallon of fuel. It has a fuel capacity of 13.2 gallons and can cover 356.2 and 493.2 miles in the city and on the highway respectively.

In comparison, the Hyundai Elantra leads the pack with its most economical fuel figures. The Elantra averages 32 miles per gallon of fuel, while the other two competitors, the Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus remain marginally behind with figures of 29 and 28 MPG respectively. In terms of fuel capacity, the Kia Forte has the biggest fuel tank on offer followed by the Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra having a total capacity of 13.5, 13.2, and 12.8 gallons respectively.

The notion of the Kia Forte being a people pleaser emanates directly from its cabin. The infotainment system and central console feel driver-focused, while the dual-tone dashboards add to the aesthetic appeal. The cabin feels tranquil most of the time; however, the Kia does have a hard time absorbing some road patches and as result, there might be some noise intrusions.

The Kia Forte has a total seating capacity of five passengers, which is also the segment standard. It has a total head-, shoulder- and legroom of 40/55.7/43.3 and 37.6/54.7/35 inches for the front and rear passengers respectively. While front seats have ample space and feel comfortable; the rear seats do feel a bit cramped with restricted legroom. However, Kia’s cargo capacity does stand to impress. With a total capacity of 14.7 cubic feet, the trunk has enough to fit two luggage bags without any difficulty.

In comparison,all cars have equal passengers and differ from each other diminutively. The cargo capacity on offer is highest on the Hyundai Elantra at 14.8 cubic feet. The Ford Focus has a total trunk volume of 13.8 cubic feet and the Toyota Corolla lurks at the bottom of the table with a capacity of 12.3 cubic feet. However, the Corolla does have more legroom on offer at the rear than any other car in the segment. Some salient interior features include:

• Power mirrors
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Cruise control
• Cargo area light
• Single zone front air-conditioning

How intuitive is the 2011 Kia Forte’s infotainment unit?

As standard, all Kia Forte trims come equipped with Bluetooth, Sirius satellite radio, and an input jack for the audio system. Other usable features of the Kia Forte include steering wheel controls and voice activation.

The Kia Forte; however, does miss out on the navigation system and is something that reduces the usability of the infotainment system. Other key features include:

• USB Connection
• 6-speaker sound system
• AM/FM stereo
• CD Player
• MP3 Player

The refinement that the Kia features on the inside continues even on the outside. The Kia Forte is subtle in its design and has a lot of characteristics that allure the buyers. However, the Kia does look pretty basic. The headlights now feel a bit old school and instance look rather small. 

Other cars in the segment like the Corolla and Elantra have rather superior design quality and complex elements that look interesting. The Kia Forte weighs 2791 and stands at a total length of 178.3 inches. It is 69.9 inches wide and is 57.5 inches tall. It has a total ground clearance of 5.9 inches and a wheelbase that measures 104.3 inches.

In comparison, the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte are eerily similar dimensions with the exception that the Elantra is shorter in height and has the longest wheelbase in the segment which measures 106.3 inches. Toyota’s Corolla is the longest car amongst the competitors and stands at a total length of 180 inches. Some standout exterior features of the Kia Forte include:

• Rear Spoiler
• Wheel locks
• Rear bumper applique
• 15/17-inch wheels
• SX Package

The new Kia Forte scores four out of five stars in the crash tests conducted by the NHTSA. It uses 4-wheel disc brakes that grant the car a halting distance of 141ft in the deceleration test. The Kia Forte has been created keeping in mind the safety of people both inside and outside the car. As standard, the Kia Forte comes equipped with electronic stability control, traction control, and brake assist. Some other standout features include:

• Turn signal mirrors
• Child seat anchors
• Auto Delay Off Headlamps
• Emergency Trunk release
• Electronic brakeforce distribution

The Kia Forte is a viable buying option. It vaunts economical fuel figures, ample cargo space, and a sought-after cabin. While it feels adequate in performance, it does have a noisy cabin and limited space for rear-seat occupants. So, if you’re looking for a family hauler, the Kia Forte may not be the ideal car for you.