The 2011 Kia Forte ranks 3 out of 32 Affordable Small Cars. Kia succeeded, and the 2010 Forte became a reviewer favorite for its ample cargo space, affordable price and strong list of standard features. For 2011, Kia Forte sedan and Koup models remain largely unchanged. Kia, however, has added another model to the Forte lineup: a five-door hatchback.
The new transmission should improve fuel economy, but Kia nor the EPA have released fuel economy ratings.
In addition to a new transmission, the hatchback is shorter in length than the 2010 Kia Forte sedan and Koup, but it’s still longer than the Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Golf. Some aspects of the five-door hatchback carry over to the 2011sedan and Koup models. The 2011 Kia Forte five-door hatchback will be available this fall, but Kia has not provided a release date for the 2011 Forte sedan and Koup. Unlike the Fiesta and Forte, the Fit is only available as a hatchback.
The 2011 Kia Forte has three model options: a sedan, Koup and a five-door hatchback--Kia hasn’t released pricing information for the 2011 models.
At the leading edge, along with the Forte, are the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2011 Hyundai Elantra.
The Cruze is a roomy compact, almost mid-size by some gauges, and it has top-notch safety along with a new fuel-efficient 1.4-liter turbocharged engine; the new Hyundai Elantra also promises to be a top contender, with 40-mpg highway ratings across the model line.
Bluetooth and steering-wheel controls with voice activation aren't standard on most of these other models, but they are on the Forte—even the base LX model.
