[Tebore]

2011 Kia Forte 5-Door Hatchback Test: Kia Forte Review ? Car and Driver

C&D basically says the 5 is close but not quite as good as a Mazda 3 hatch. Seeing as how the Mazda 3 is one of the best selling hatches in the segment that's pretty good.

 

[Reject]

They basically say the 5 sucks unless you consider space lol. I was getting pissed reading that review XD.
Also I would say the mazda 3 hatch is a bit of a chick car, but thats just me -.^

 

[Joechicklets]

mazda3 hatch>forte 5. Forte is to station wagony for me.

 

[Reject]

It is a wagon technically.

 

[xXRockAweaRXx]

I'm still waiting to see a modded Forte 5-Door

Give it an ArtX grille, black Tenzo DC-5's with the chrome lip, SX-R front lip and Mark II sharkfin antenna then you'll have a winner

 

[missourimule]

Well, I haven't driven the Mazda so I can't make a head to head comparison but in nearly two months with my five door SX, I wouldn't change a thing. The storage is perfect for my uses when I go grocery shopping as I don't have to bend down as far and it has more than adequate room. As to the handling, I'm not racing it but I haven't seen anything that can corner with me at the speeds I drive. Some hot shots in the neighborhood like to run up my tailpipe but when I go around this sharp curve they are like nailed to a fencepost. The power, comfort and handling suit me just fine. I don't view this as a wagon but as a hatchback.

 

[Walpole5]

I had a loaner Mazda 3 while my RX8 was in for repairs (which was very often). The 3 was fun to drive, but the road noise on the highway was a deal breaker for me. Also, because of the horrendous reliability of my RX8, I did not look at Mazdas when I needed to trade in my BMW 528i. I originally thought I would end up with the new Optima, but I really liked the Forte 5. Mine has a manual, which is a big plus for me, and I thought the design both inside and out is very good. The car is fun to drive and has plenty of power. It seems well made and I'm happy with my choice.

 

[missourimule]

What issue is this in? I can't find it in my December, 2010 issue as shown in the link.

 

[popeye]

I was considering a 3 hatch, but 2 things stuck in my craw: Price and mileage. The 5 in either trim has it over the 3 in these areas. I also like the Forte over the 3 now, '09 and prior I might be more on the fence.

 

[A790]

The Forte5 is funky looking, and while it's competitive based on value, it doesn't have the performance to match the top selling cars in the hatch segment - Mazda3, VW GTI, etc.

 

[Reject]

It performs pretty closely with the base Mazda3's and Mazda3i sport. The gti if you didnt know is turbocharged, but compared to a Golf (not a gti) it does extremely well. And I'd say it looks pretty darn sharp.

 

[popeye]

It performs pretty closely with the base Mazda3's and Mazda3i sport. The gti if you didnt know is turbocharged, but compared to a Golf (not a gti) it does extremely well. And I'd say it looks pretty darn sharp.

Especially compared to the latest M3... maybe funky is good? Who knows with language anymore, sick is good, phat is bad and bad is cool... lolz

 

[Walpole5]

I looked at the Jetta wagon TDI and the GTi. I love the GTi, but can't stand the base plaid fabric seats. For 2011, to get leather, you have to spend over $5k in options. This put the price around $31k, which was too much. The Jetta wagon is a great car, but was $8k more than the Forte. I'm using the Kia for work, so price was a big issue and it's an excellent car for around $20k.

 

[Ignite201]

I agree that Forte5 is a strong competitor in the hatchback segment. You can get a nicely equipped or fully loaded one for around the base price of the others. I've actually grown to like the styling of the Forte5 a lot.

 

[Tebore]

I think the Forte 5 personally looks nerdy. It's too much a wagon like the M3.
When I think Hatch I think Civic SI hatch or Focus both of which are only in europe.

That said I think the Forte 5 is a great attempt by Kia to a competitive market. VWs generally carry a premium over Asian products (at least here in Canada).

I think if you get the Forte 5, tint it, get some 18" with skirts or lower it. Give it a badass exhaust and you got yourself a very sporty looking hatch that won't break the bank. Yes I said hatch because when you lower or get bigger wheels it just completely changes the stance.

I've driven a Mazda 3 when I was car shopping and depending on trim I like how it handles over the Forte family of car but like C&D said it's not worth the premium.

I don't get why C&D says the rear looks like a Mazda 3 when it looks clearly more like an Audi A3. Heck the whole car looks like a smaller A3.

 

[BFrogger007]

I personally think that everyone is jealous that kia and hyndaui are the only car companies going positive in sales for the last 10 years. So you have these so called professional drivers driving these cars and being biased of course to try and ruin a successful and growing company.

 

[Forte333]

2door hatch would have been better, like the focus zx3's this way its sporty and roomy.

I honestly dont like the looks of the 5door at all, would only look good if lowered and had a skirtpackage.

I wouldn't be suprised to see kia dropping the forte5 in a few years (heck maybe even when the 2.0turbo comes out in 2012/13 or the next generation fortes)

Matrix, Mazda 3, Ford Focus seem to have the sporty hatch wagon market covered pretty well.

 

[Reject]

I hate 2 door hatches, hence why I didnt like the earlier GTI's I like the functionality of 4 doors and the space of a hatch/wagon. This way my friends and family don't have to climb into the back seat.

And if KIA did drop the Forte5 they'd lose my business. I'm definitely one for the Hatch / Wagon segment of vehicles =P

And who said nerdy is a bad thing? I'm a proud nerd!

 

[Tebore]

I hate 2 door hatches, hence why I didnt like the earlier GTI's I like the functionality of 4 doors and the space of a hatch/wagon. This way my friends and family don't have to climb into the back seat.

And if KIA did drop the Forte5 they'd lose my business. I'm definitely one for the Hatch / Wagon segment of vehicles =P

And who said nerdy is a bad thing? I'm a proud nerd!

Nerds are smart and practical. No one said they can't be hot too. Ever see a hot chick in a glasses? Nerdy but still hot.

 

[boostedscooby]

I see the audi influence on the rear not mazda. Mazda is more edgy(in a bad way) and well like the mazda 2 is just too ugly for my taste. The newer mazdas look CARTOON like.Like something you would see on those new weird cartoons shows .

personally i think the style that kia has now is a major step up. With aftermarket support the forte hatch can be one hot hatch .