Used 2016 Kia Forte Consumer Reviews
Used Forte for sale
Underrated vehicle with unexpected surprises
Demian, 05/02/2019
2016 Kia Forte EX 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought used 2016 forte5 ex after trading my old 2000 crv lx. Test drove elantra GT, honda fit, civic hatchback. (I didn't try focus hatchback because when I drove rental focus on german highway I wasn't impressed at all and also heard reliability score is low. I also didn't try Mazda 3 hatchback because of small space for backseat and cargo and very similar interior design to my current CX5). I chose forte5 because a lot less money than civic hatchback (better driving experience but noisier), better interior design and body style than elantra, and more powerful than fit (felt like driving a toy car). I think I can comment on riding since I added around 1000 miles. Yes riding is a lot bumpier than my 2012 honda accord as other people mentioned. But I liked the direct feeling of road conditions on the steering wheel and enjoyed the riding every day. Unexpectedly powerful and smooth when I pressed acceleration pedal. I was constantly watching mpg number on the gauge for fun and managed to 37 mpg for commute (local driving with around 15 traffic stops and lights). Steering is quite responsive and nimble. One gripe if I have to say is I feel more rough movement when it starts than any cars I have driven. Probably it is designed that way since I don't feel any engine roughness while driving. At the beginning, sometimes I felt engine misfires. However, after I realized I have to hold the key in ignition position a little longer to start the engine, the symptom was gone. I just got used to engine start of all japanese cars I have owned the last 30 years. I never thought about owning a korean car but this purchase changed my mind. Though have to wait for its reliability, don't have any hesitation to give a huge kudos to 2016 kia forte5.
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Second KIA and still satisfied
meisnerjd@gmail.com, 04/18/2017
updated 10/19/2017
2016 Kia Forte LX 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this car as a daily commuter, I drive 90 + miles a day round trip to and from work. I average over 40 mpg. I gave the car five stars in performance because I am rating it against other cars in its class and price range. The manual trans. version (which I drive) accelerates circles around other subcompacts like Corolla, Sentra, Fit (not Hyundai -- same platform). Its cornering isn't amazing, but if I wanted something that took corners great, I'd have had to pay for it. Reviewers who hack on a sub $20K car's performance because it won't compare with that of a $60K sports car are trolls. This is my second KIA, having owned a 2013 Soul which I put 130K miles on with no problems what so ever. Likewise, I have had no issues whatsoever with the Forte. When this one reaches 100K miles, I'll most likely trade it for another KIA. The 100K mile warranty is the best in the industry.
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Fun Car!
Don B, 12/14/2017
updated 12/21/2023
2016 Kia Forte EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
first of all, this car is FAST. And BEAUTIFUL. Looks like an Audi A3, or a Mercedes C551. I got a, deal on a new 2016 in snow white with grey leather, moon roof, fully loaded with sun roof, nav, back up camera. Haven't figured out uvo infotainment system yet. Still no problems at 45000 miles.
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Quirky reliable car
Evan , 06/20/2023
2016 Kia Forte LX 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This was the most reliable car I have ever owned until I hit deep water at speed and killed her. The pros: Zero maintenance. I put 133k on with nothing but oil changes, a tail light bulb, tires and new wipers. Bluetooth connectivity and sturdy low-tech features that always work. Great gas mileage. Always came in over 40 average, with plenty of city driving thrown in. Surprisingly large front seat. I'm 6'7" and fit in it very comfortably. Lots of trunk space too. Cons: Absurdly loud cabin noise. Hitting a small stick sounds like you're running over an oak tree. The headlights angle down, and the field of vision driving at night is limited unless the light beams are on. I lived near boar for a period of time with this car and I didn't like to drive it without the high beams on because you could see things until they were <100 ft. Away. The trunk randomly opens. There were many times I came out to the car and the trunk was open. Luckily people left it alone, but if you had something valuable in it, it would be a real concern. There's no spare tire. It has an emergency inflator, but that feels wrong. Overall, this car was great. I reliably commuted in it for 7 years in rain, snow and extreme heat. I never had a mechanical problem with it, and I never in a million years would have picked a KIA. My wife saw it, liked the color and the price. I didn't want to buy it, but in the end, I liked it and drove it more than she did. For a daily driver I would recommend to people commuting long distances. This would not make a great rideshare vehicle due to a small back seat when people are up front. I wouldn't buy it as a first car either, but it would make a great graduation present from a reliability standpoint alone. Would recommend it, but it's going to be a little weird. I already miss mine. RIP Kim Jong Fun.
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I Love This Car!
Gaines E., 09/14/2020
updated 11/13/2023
2016 Kia Forte EX 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I'm a second generation Kia owner - traded a 2008 Spectra in on this 2016 Forte5. Some people would say it's not peppy enough, but I find it keeps up in traffic just fine; true, it won't win any races, but it gets a solid 32 mpg with the AC on and 36 mpg during milder months. I am 6' 3" and the front seats are plenty spacious for my long legs. My wife complains the car is too low, but to me that just adds to the sportiness. I am the only driver of this car, so I know everything about it, and it is a pleasure to drive. In fact, I've put on 30K trouble-free miles. One thing I like about Kia is the service department at the dealership. They don't push you into buying extra service. I bought the service plan, and have enjoyed free oil changes, deep discounts on "other" services, etc. In comparison, my wife's Sentra seems to "need" something every time we take it in for ANYTHING! In conclusion, I will definitely buy Kia again; they build a quality car with a bunch of amenities as standard. Mine is a Forte5 EX (middle trim level) and it has LED DRLs, power folding mirrors, automatic transmission (not a goofy CVT), my radio can hold 250 songs, but I'm old school and listen to CDs, and alloy wheels (no plastic hubcaps). I chose the black cloth interior with black carpeting, and it is holding up well, however, I'm a neat freak, so my car is hardly ever dirty - inside or out....I even wipe down the door jambs every time it's washed. Update 3/18/21 Still loving my Forte5! I have nothing bad to say about this car. It's at 30K miles and my tires are wearing evenly (no alignment needed), the oil stays amber even though it has 5K miles on it (getting it changed Saturday), the finish is still shiny - even with two car washes a week.... I'm just a happy Kia guy. What's more to say? Update 3/20/2022 Still very happy with my Kia. I live close to work, so in a year I've only put on 5K miles since my last update. The finish is holding up well, still no alignment needed....I did have to put new tires on last April, but only because one developed a bulge in the sidewall. I put Pirelli's on it (boujee). UPDATE 9/26/2022, 39,168 miles Still a happy Kia owner. My free oil changes finally ran out, so I did the last oil change; a full synthetic job. The skidplate has to be removed in order to access the drain plug and filter - which protects the underbelly of the engine really well, but it's not consumer-friendly. I spent more time on that skidplate than the oil change itself. The original battery is still in the car, so the alternator either charges well, or Kia makes a darned good battery. No alignment needed yet, and my tires are all wearing evenly. 3/28/2023 42xxx miles Still completely happy with this car, and even more so now that it's paid off. The Pirelli tires are quite noisy, though - no fault of Kia's. As stated above, I'm a neat freak, so I've clay-barred the finish twice, and the paint is smooth as glass. The plastic headlight covers are still very clear with no yellowing, yet, but I have treated them with a product from Chemical Guys. Really, the only negative thing for me is the DIY oil change and that pesky skidplate. 11/11/23, 48K miles Drove it 1950 miles on vacation a week ago and it ran flawlessly, averaging 32mpg, and through high altitude mountains. Still very satisfied with this little car. In fact, got a compliment last Thursday from a truck driver I know. He saw me get out of it and asked, "Is it new?" I said, "Heck no, it's a 2016."
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