has anyone seen this prob.. thinking of buying this car
is this a deal breaker? disabled 60+ guy, not a lot of money or handy. starts
33 views
2011 Kia Forte Koup Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Good intentions and bad execution. It’s hard to criticize when failure is the result of such valiant attempts. In looking to create a sporty Forte, Kia took its slick little sedan and did what might seem logical – made it handle even better. This seems prudent and smart, and unfortunately it’s wholly incorrect. What the Forte Koup needed was more power.
The Forte already handled quite well, spending its time straddling that fine line where cornering meets comfort, where spring rate meets shock absorption. The Koup had no qualms about what side of the line it landed on, however, willing to sacrifice panache for performance. Customers noticed. Customers complained. For 2011, Kia has addressed these issues, claiming to have made suspension adjustments to the Koup that bring things closer to the cause of comfort.
It’s a good thing, and the 2011 Koup does ride with less firm brutality, no longer ready to accordion your spine back and forth with every seam, lip and ripple you encounter on your ride. But again, this is merely correcting a previous mistake rather than a glaring omission. The Koup needs to be faster.
With its base 156-hp 2.0-liter Theta II engine, the EX trim of the Forte Koup is woefully anemic. The engine begs for more power at any speed and sounds like it will come apart upon adding any rpm, more of which is always needed. With 144 lb-ft of torque it’s lacking just as much down low as it is up high.
The SX fares marginally better with 173 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque, but this is still the same engine available in the sedan. Where’s the turbocharged version we saw at the NYIAS back in 2008? Where’s the added “oomph” we’ve come to expect, desire, require? This engine too is a noisy affair, producing more sound than fury and offering little in compensation for preventing conversation at anything other than cruising speeds.
Transmission choices are a welcome improvement at least, with new 6-speed offerings in manual and automatic offering a big improvement over outgoing models. Clutch feel is a high point of the new 6-speed manual, but the automatic is slick and responsive as well, even offering a manual shiftgate for those who don’t want to give up gear choice altogether.
The EX trim will get you the more forgiving suspension and 16-inch alloys, which improve the ride comfort greatly, but it's only available with the weak 2.0-liter engine. On top of that while traction and stability control are standard, the EX isn’t very well equipped with a base stereo and a pedestrian power package. Moving up to the 2.4-liter gets you the extra power, but it’s still not enough, and with it you’ll have to suffer through the stiff sport suspension and 17-inch wheels, which make this little coupe handle like a hay wagon. Features are slightly more abundant with automatic headlights, a tilt and telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel and foglights, but the leather for the steering wheel is nothing to be impressed by, looking like it’ll start flaking away after a few thousand miles.
No, Kia came close with the Forte Koup, but it isn’t there yet. With a bit more power and a few extra features, it could have something to actually compete with its compact sport coupe rivals. For now, it's got a car that’s too firm and not fast enough.
Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2011 Kia Forte Koup
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Paul C
Feb 22, 2021
Sporty low klm great condition Feb 22, 2021
by DeShawn T
Oct 01, 2020
The car is missing alot of features that the 2010 Kia Forte Koup has but over all the price is greatOct 01, 2020
by Derek W
Apr 18, 2012
Performance is good. Handling quality is good as well. Build quality is 5 stars. Appearance is 5 star, excellent mean looking stance. Cost to own is average to buy. Pays off in fuel economy within months. Cargo capacity is good considering this is a koup. This car is really fun to drive. Handling should be a little better for the price but is above average for it's range of cars. Opps it actually has 10 airbags! 2 in each front seat, side curtain airbags. 16 in cast aluminum rims that look good. No mods to date. Considering a skirt package and some interior mods done.Apr 18, 2012
User rating:
by Paul C
Feb 22, 2021
Sporty low klm great condition Feb 22, 2021
by DeShawn T
Oct 01, 2020
The car is missing alot of features that the 2010 Kia Forte Koup has but over all the price is greatOct 01, 2020
by Derek W
Apr 18, 2012
Performance is good. Handling quality is good as well. Build quality is 5 stars. Appearance is 5 star, excellent mean looking stance. Cost to own is average to buy. Pays off in fuel economy within months. Cargo capacity is good considering this is a koup. This car is really fun to drive. Handling should be a little better for the price but is above average for it's range of cars. Opps it actually has 10 airbags! 2 in each front seat, side curtain airbags. 16 in cast aluminum rims that look good. No mods to date. Considering a skirt package and some interior mods done.Apr 18, 2012
by Michael R
Oct 19, 2011
Got this vehicle in the Summer of 2011 and I have not had a second thought of my
final choice since. In terms of performance, it by far surpasses those that in a
similar class including the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. Definitely a fun car to drive,
especially when you are in the countryside in the summer cruising along with the
windows open and the music blaring. In terms of cost, it definitely surpasses those
in the same class as this vehicle in the highest trim level available (SX-LUX) is
cheaper than a mid-level trim of other similar vehicles. Oct 19, 2011
What users have asked
Lock system and fog lights
I have a 2011 kia forte koup. Been working great until recently. A few things have happened suddenly and all at once. 1. When I open my doors(either side), it doesn't register that they are open on the dash or with the light coming on (yes the lights work manually and are in the door switch position). 2. When my key is in the ignition (car off) and i get out and lock the doors, it doesnt automatically unlock like it used to. I have accidently locked them in a few times. 3. When i unlock my door (with the fob) it sometimes unlocks other times it acts like the lock is stuck. And it always automatically lock itself after a min even after i have opened the door. 4. My fog lights suddenly dont work or register on the dash. If i hold the arm just right they sometimes flicker. Is this a wiring issue? Should i replace the whole arm? Any ideas on what i can do. I preder to do all my own work on my vahicles rather than take them in. Thanks for the help.
187 views
two questions about kia forte koup 2011
i need to know how can i change the language of the system from the korean to english??and how to switch on the fog lights?
315 views
Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 2011 Kia Forte Koup?Compare this car
2011 Kia Forte Koup Pricing
Original MSRP
$16,995 to $18,395Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: sunglasses holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.20
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Lights
Headlights: Auto on
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: cloth
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.96
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Sunroof: tilt
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: premium cloth
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent