Used 2012 Kia Forte SX Hatchback Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2012 Kia Forte SX Hatchback.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Wow, this car was a great ride!
connelly.carol@gmail.com, New Port Richey, FL, 12/30/2015
2012 Kia Forte SX 4dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
For the first 56,000 miles, this car is dependable and looks great; however, do not be fooled by the "normal" KIA noise coming from the engine. I live in Tampa, Florida, and dealership support has been poor thus far. The clicking sounds in the engine base ended up needing a tension pulley at 60,500 miles, just 500 out of warranty. Kia USA agreed to honor and pay as it was 600 $ for … repairs. I still heard a metal whirling sound, but was told that was a "normal" KIA sound...what? At any rate, about 3000 miles later, the whirling sound is getting louder and now it has been diagnosed as needing a new compressor..haha. seriously? I still like the car; it handles a little better than the Honda fit (which is out of my league, it seems pricewise), but the Forte is still the riff raff of the hatchbacks, and honestly? With this happening at 60,000 miles, holy moly, I do not see the car having any value whatsoever at 100,000. P.S. I had an Isuzu Trooper 290,000. It was the sweetest 20,000$ I ever spent. I feel I was a bit rough with the scoring, but if I was to get mezmerized and sucked in on a 100,000 power train warranty, it would be with an Elantra. Right now with the boom shakalaka noise and rattle and roll, anything is better than what I am dealing with...1200$ for a compressor, wow!
2012 Kia Forte Hatch SX - dead at 93k
CG from WA, Burlington, WA, 08/30/2019
2012 Kia Forte SX 4dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
Purchased a new to me 2012 Kia Forte at a Kia dealership with 66k miles. After 3 years and 33k miles, light driving, the engine seized on the highway. Car was good well it worked. Scary when it failed at 65 mph. 8k for engine replacement. Appears that Theta II failures are common even with the MPI engine, according to my mechanic and certainly in my limited experience. Should have … bought the warranty--no factory powertrain to 100k for second owner. Really don't recommend this car, or KIAs, maybe as a lease it makes sense but don't buy it.
quicker than you expect
rb7385899, San Francisco, CA, 12/12/2011
2012 Kia Forte SX 4dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
I have the hatch with the 2.4 liter.
this is a seriously fast car (for its class/price) with 0-60 in about 7 seconds (A/T).
i've owned mine since february 2011, and have about 11,000 miles on it.
no service issues so far.
My experience with this car
Oscar Bonilla, Great Neck, NY, 08/21/2021
2012 Kia Forte SX 4dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
I bought this brand new from Yonkers Kia in New York I had for 4 years at 55k I was driving the car and then all of a sudden I saw fire coming from the hood minutes later my car was on fire I lost it even my maintenance was on time I complained to Kia and the dealer and they did nothing. I never in my life would never buy a Kia brand don’t even look at it . Really bad experience they … look good but they don’t last.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2012 Kia Forte SX Hatchback
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Wide variety of body styles
- Pro:affordable pricing
- Pro:long warranty
- Pro:excellent handling in SX trim.
- Con:Tepid handling except for SX
- Con:intrusive road noise
- Con:lackluster interior
- Con:rear seat short on legroom.
Full Edmunds Review: 2012 Kia Forte Hatchback
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2012 Kia Forte in North Carolina is:
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