Used 2018 Kia Forte Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Forte, so we've included reviews for other years of the Forte since its last redesign.
Nice car, bad transmission
DMtampaFL, 10/09/2017
updated 10/13/2020
2017 Kia Forte EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
Recently purchased a 2017 Kia Forte EX and I love it. From the second I started the test drive I knew it was the car for me. It has great handling and is pretty quick for a 4 cylinder. The interior has nice materials and easy to use controls. Even though it’s a new car and needs to be broken in, I have been getting around 30-32mpg almost all city driving ( but I do tend to drive a little fast.) The only con I have with this car is that even on the EX model (without the premium plus package) the drivers seat isn’t electric and there is no auto dimming mirror. It’s not a deal breaker but they would be nice without having to pay ~$5k more. Overall this is a great car and offers great value for what you pay for. UPDATE 10/10/18: I’ve had the car for about a year now and it hasn’t given me any problems. My only complaints are that the acceleration is poor which is what is kind of expected for this class, and the transmission feels like it tries too hard to shift up to the next gear while accelerating. The car is also very light, when driving on the highway if there are strong winds you can feel it a lot and it will make the car swerve in the lane. I can’t even believe it is as bad as it is. Overall the car has been great and the maintenance costs aren’t too bad so I would say it has been a great car for what was paid. UPDATE 4/10/20: Have had the car for almost 3 years and have only had one problem with water getting in the taillights but they were replaced under warranty. The transmission is very clunky and tries too hard to find the right gear, but the people at the dealership said it’s normal and to drive it until there is a check engine light. Other than that I’ve had no issues with the car. UPDATE 10/13/20: The transmission of the car feels like it’s going to fall out whenever you drive it. I’ve taken it to Kia multiple times but they say it’s normal and because there’s no check engine light they can’t do anything about it, going to trade in for something better ASAP
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Kia Love!
Mzcnnd, 12/20/2017
2017 Kia Forte LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I just purchased my 2017 Forte last month, but I love it already. I previously owned a 2015 and a 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage, which professional reviewers hated. I never understood their complaints about those cars until I bought my Kia. I suppose when you test drive cars for a living, there is a huge difference in the ride of a low-end (cheap) vehicle versus a top of the line luxury car. But bottom line is cars all do essentially the same thing. Yes, I know that heated seats and navigation systems and leather interiors are nice, but they really are not necessary. The only thing I would be willing to pay more money for is a safer vehicle. (There is not one car out there that can guarantee I won't be hurt or worse in it, so nothing is worth the cost of a small house!) That being said, I got a lot of bang for my buck with this Kia. Great looks, nice ride, awesome gas mileage. I do see the difference in the handling vs my Mirage. I do now know why horsepower (or lack of) is important. Still, I don't need a Lexus or Mercedes to get a comfortable ride and nice interior. I'm definitely experiencing Kia love!
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2018 Kia Forte for sale near you
Showing 3 of 34 listings
- LX SedanMSRP: $12,99997 mi away
- EX SedanMSRP: $14,998In-stock online
- LX SedanMSRP: $13,998In-stock online
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Lemon Forte
Joseph, 07/05/2018
2017 Kia Forte LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
17 of 20 people found this review helpful
I bought this P.O.S Forte on May 27 2017 at first it was a good car then six months into owning it the car began to act funny I took it to the dealer they did nothing so a few months later it just went downhill. Some days it wouldn't accelerate good and it was not cranking right. Then on June 17 2018 the engine light came on and flashed six times which is a sign that something wasn't good. I took it to the dealer and they thought it was the ignition coils they changed them and I left the lot. An hour later the engine light came back on and I took it back wound up being the whole engine was useless. The cylinder misfire is common knowledge to KIA but they won't recall the car hopefully I will be getting rid of this car soon. I will never buy a Kia again.
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2028 Kia Forte S
Mike, 08/25/2018
2018 Kia Forte S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
16 of 19 people found this review helpful
Lots of features, technology for under $20,000; great safety features; changed the tires as I thought they were average at best
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Thanks for selling me a death trap, Kia
Dbiddy , 09/17/2019
updated 03/21/2022
2017 Kia Forte LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
15 of 18 people found this review helpful
(Not so) funny thing happened the other day in my 2017 Kia Forte. I was driving through a roundabout and my engine locked up on me. I couldn’t take it out of drive, I couldn’t continue driving, and all of my computer functions shut down (my screens shut off, radio shut down, gauges shut off) but the car was still running. My sister (who also owns a 2017 Kia Forte) had that problem while parked in her driveway (thankfully). Another thing- recall these faulty trunk latches Kia!! Not only have both mine AND my sisters’ trunk latches broken within 2 years of ownership, but a friend of ours who has owned 2 Kia Souls has had the same issue. It’s absurd. I will NEVER own another Kia after this. I’m trying to spread awareness to other potential car owners- stay away from this car. Update: I traded in that hot piece of garbage and bought a Subaru Impreza. Just buy a Subaru.
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