Used 2015 Kia Forte Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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I Love My KIA Forte 5 Door EX Hatchback
Robert Tishkevich, 01/19/2016
updated 07/26/2016
2015 Kia Forte Forte5 EX 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
54 of 54 people found this review helpful
Let me start by saying I LOVE my 2015 Forte Hatchback. It's probably the best car I ever owned. Are there things about it I don't like? Yes, that's why I only gave it 4 stars (didn't know how to give it 4 1/2 stars). Having said that, I would buy another one in a heartbeat. PROS 1. This is the 2nd KIA I've owned and both of them have been perfect mechanically. I haven't had one mechanical issue. It just cannot get any better than that. I also know two other people who had KIAs for at least 3 years and neither one of them had a single mechanical problem. 2. The car is sleek and people constantly tell me how cool it looks. I love looking at it every time I approach my car. 3. It's extremely comfortable and I thoroughly enjoy driving it. Is it fun to drive? I think so. 4. The A/C system works great in a very hot, southern climate. It even came with front seats which can be heated (I don't need that where I live) and/or cooled. 5. The UVO system is terrific and very easy to use. 6. The instrument panel is clear, easy to read, and very informative. I could do almost everything I wanted without ever looking at the manual. 7. I love my Sirius XM Satellite Radio. 8. Lots of storage space with 5 door Hatchback plus the special storage container under the normal floor in the rear is very handy. 9. My KIA dealer treats the customers like gold. 10. Very affordable but it has the quality of a more expensive car. 11. Very good highway mileage 12. Nobody beats the KIA warranty. I feel great because I had no problems, but if I did, it's always covered under the warranty. CONS 1. Wind noise, especially on the highway (seems to be a problem with KIAs) 2. Poor city stop and go mileage. Maybe it's because I'm always taking very short trips with lots of traffic lights where I accelerate briskly? It's hard to tell if it's my driving style or the vehicle. I think it's a combination of both. 3. The standard tires are just OK but very noisy. I'm used to riding on Michelins which are far superior. 4. The instrument panel is very cool but one gauge says MPH instead of MPG for the average miles per gallon 5. With one exception the navigation system works great, plus it has a large, easy to read screen. That one exception,unless I have a specific address to punch in, is it's often difficult to find what I'm looking for . For some unknown reason it's hard to find venues. In other words, it isn't user friendly.
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The Forte5 SX Manual is a great car to drive.
Forte5 SX manual owner., 08/08/2015
2015 Kia Forte Forte5 SX 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
25 of 27 people found this review helpful
This car excels in terms of design, comfort, and features. In addition, when an opportunity presents itself, the manual shifting turbo engine is wickedly good fun. Is this a car to take track-racing? Of course not, but the upside is that it's a pleasant and fun daily driver. However, know that the stiffer suspension disallows this car from being a comfortable highway cruiser when the pavement gets dicey. Nevertheless, if you're in the market for a fun-to-drive hatchback with space for 4 (not just seating, but actual space!) definitely check out the Forte5 SX. So far, my mileage has been about 3 better than the rated MPG from KIA, and that's in 50/50 mixed driving. I've also gotten (mostly) used to the much-maligned flex-steer. I rarely take it out of the 'normal' setting. On occasion I'll use 'sport' on a crowded, twisty interstate, and even less frequently I'll use 'comfort' when cruising on a well-paved, empty highway. Worth noting, even though UVO works well, the stock speakers are absolutely terrible. Given that UVO is such a key component of KIA's marketing, they should immediately discontinue the current speakers and use the Infinity upgrade materials they have available for other vehicles (but not the Forte . . .?). Finally, given KIA's incentivized sales approach, there is no way not to get a good deal. Especially on this under-marketed, under-appreciated, and undersold car. Based on all the info I can find online, I ended up paying less than inventory price by a couple hundred dollars.
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2015 Kia Forte for sale near you
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- Forte5 SX 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $8,10015 mi away
- Forte5 EX 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $6,9955 mi away
- LX SedanMSRP: $5,49920 mi away
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Great Car in an Excellent Package
Gary Balionis, 11/24/2015
2015 Kia Forte Forte5 SX 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
We shopped for a replacement car when the previous vehicle was declared a total loss. Couldn't beat the financial incentives at Kia, and this car is an extremely attractive package for the money. Fit and finish is fantastic, base equipment exceeded our expectations. Was a bit concerned about the smaller engine/turbo combination, but it has proved to be a perfect powerplant for this car: keeps it light and more than adequate acceleration. Ride quality, even with the low profile tires fitted, is several levels above the car we replaced, a 2010 Kia Forte Koup. At this point, admittedly early on, we are completely satisfied with this vehicle, and love the practicality of the 4 door hatchback design.
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Little Unknown Hot Hatch!
KiaFan, 10/26/2016
2015 Kia Forte Forte5 SX 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new in 2015 with little known about it. Kia doesn't advertise it at all. The SX model is well worth the extra money in my opinion with a pretty powerful 201hp turbo 1.6 liter 4. I travel 100 miles a day in this thing and average 30mpg on premium gas. This car DOES NOT like cheap gas!! It performs poorly and idles even bad on 87. I do on occasion run 89 octane which it does do ok but I do still feel a difference. The car handles great and brakes are super strong. Very stable car! I like the manual trans but wished they didn't use economy gearing. It has plenty of power for a lower ratio which would equal better mpg. In 40k miles now it has been pretty trouble free. Biggest grip on this car is the steering which is electric and hard to get use to. It tends to wander on the road because there isnt a center feeling to the steering and the slightest input you do and will veer off. Car shows no wear besides the few rock chips. You really cant beat the warranty with KIA and Hyundai brands. This is my 3rd product from them and I am very pleased. Great thing is you rarely see another on the road because they are unknown.
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Great cheaper alternative
Forte5, 01/23/2016
updated 02/06/2017
2015 Kia Forte Forte5 SX 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
This is a little unknown hot hatch. I didnt even know Kia made this car until some online new car browsing. Got a great deal and was actually pretty hard to find one which means you stand out since rare to see another. Turbo engine has great pick up at any speed or gear! 6 speed manual trans is alittle too geared towards city driving vs hwy. 5th and 6th just isnt a hwy gear it should be. I average 30mpg with high octane gas. Car hates cheap gas. Great build quality and warranty!! The zip and handing makes it fun. I even embarressed a GTI on hwy. This is a low car so getting out and in provides some hand support from the seat. Options galore on the SX model like heated and cooled seats in front and heated in back which is rare for this class of car. Heated steering wheel . Mine didnt come with the Nav and Hid headlights but not spending the extra $$$ on a in dash Nav with phones these days. Only two main gripes with this car is radio just sucks for sound and loudness and steering is electric with is very touchy with any input makes you wander. Also it seems to have a "sticky" feeling when driving straight . Its brief but alarms you when u go to turn . Otherwise been a great,reliable fun car! **Update** -- I now have almost 50k miles of no mechanical issues what so-ever. Has never let me down and still feels and looks new. I do get alot of road noise but mainly due to replacing tires with something that wasnt as quiet. Not the cars fault.
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