2012 Kia Forte Koup Reviews, Pricing & Specs

$17,200 to $18,600

Original MSRP

expert review

5.0

avg user rating

2012 Kia Forte Koup Preview summaryImage

Kia’s sportiest compact gains a tilt and telescoping steering wheel in EX trim this year, but not much else. Sure, the Technology Package gains an “Added Supervision” meter cluster, but that’ not exactly a major draw. Sadly, there’s no extra sport to add to the Koup this year, but we are still just one year into its life cycle.

This FWD, 2-door coupe offers base EX and sport-themed SX trims. While the EX doesn’t have much to offer in terms of features, at least it lives up to its “base” label. The 2.0-liter engine offers a paltry 156 hp and will struggle at nearly any speed as the Forte Koup attempts to pass, merge or even climb hills. The EX isn’t a complete stripper though, as it comes with a truncated power package consisting of just windows, doors and mirrors, and the mirrors at least have integrated signals. The stereo won’t impress either, but it does come satellite-ready with USB, Bluetooth and a digital media player connection. The SX on the other hand doesn’t manage to inject much sport into the Forte Koup. You’ll get the more powerful 2.4-liter engine good for 173 hp, as well as automatic headlights, fog lights and the tilt and telescoping steering wheel that was made standard for all trims this year. In the SX it’s leather-wrapped, but it’s some of the cheapest-looking leather I’ve seen in an automobile.

If you add the Technology Package to the EX trim, you’ll get the previously mentioned “Added Supervision” meter cluster for the dash, as well as navigation with traffic, a rear-view camera, keyless access and start, automatic climate control, fog lights and automatic headlights. Chrome door handles too. Bask in the technology.

The suspension is well-sorted at least in base form. It won’t provide the subtle blend of comfort and performance you’ll find more easily outside of the compact class, but it’s good enough to be fun without fully compacting your spine. With a bit more power, the Forte Koup could even be a bit of a thrilling ride, but unfortunately the only way to get more power is to go with the 2.4 in the SX, and that gets you a stiffer “sport” suspension that does seem to ruin things a bit. With the 17-inch alloys under you, every rut and ripple will be felt, and that’s not fun for anyone.

At least Kia didn’t skimp on safety, and the Forte Koup is loaded standard with traction and stability control, assisted 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, front-seat active head restraints and 6 standard airbags – dual front, front-side and curtain-side. A Premium Package will add a power sunroof and 16-inch alloys to the EX trim, while a Leather Package will build on that in the SX trim and give you heated front seats, leather and an automatic rearview.

Still, none of this makes the Forte Koup the most attractive option in the compact class. It’s not a bad choice – especially for the price – but if you’re looking for anything other than economical transportation, it’s probably best to look elsewhere.

Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team

While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2012 Kia Forte Koup

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by lindsey s

Feb 27, 2013

great acceleration and speed. nice navigation system and sound system is top notch. I have taken this vehicle on many trips, so there is a lot of highway miles. Awesome gas mileage! I only fill up once every 3 weeks at $30!Feb 27, 2013

2012 Kia Forte Koup Pricing

Original MSRP

$17,200 to $18,600

Price range

N/A

Average price on CG

N/A

YoY price change

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Kia Forte Koup price trends

Trims & specs

2012 Kia Forte Koup EX

Original MSRP: $17,200

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 · 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: 11.0 · 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: rear · 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: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

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 off

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: 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

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · 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 wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 5

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent

2012 Kia Forte Koup SX

Original MSRP: $18,600

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 · 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: 11.8 · 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: rear · 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: paddle shifter · Storage: sunglasses holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.20

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · 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

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range

Lights

Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED