The Kia Forte, which has been produced by South Korean carmaker Kia since mid-2008 and has replaced the Kia Spectra, is a compact automobile. It is also known as the K3 in South Korea, the Forte K3 or Shuma in China, and Cerato in South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Russia. It comes in versions with a two-door coupe, a four-door sedan, and a five-door hatchback. In Europe, where the comparably sized Kia Ceed is sold, it is not readily available (except for Russia and Ukraine, where the Ceed and the Forte are both available).
The Forte, which replaces its forerunner of the same name in other areas like Costa Rica, Australia, and Brazil, is sold as the Kia Cerato. The second generation of the car was marketed under the name Cerato Forte in Colombia and Singapore[1], while Naza Automotive Manufacturing of Malaysia has been assembling it since 2009 and selling it there under the name Naza Forte. [2]
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Are Kia Forte vehicles dependable?
With a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, the Kia Forte is ranked sixth among 36 compact automobiles. Its great ownership costs are reflected in the $451 average yearly repair cost. The Forte is one of the more dependable automobiles on the road since repair needs are both more severe and less frequent than with other vehicles.
Cost
Compared to an average of $526 for compact vehicles and $652 for all vehicle types, the total yearly cost of repairs and maintenance for a Kia Forte is $451.
the typical annual sum for unplanned maintenance and repairs for all model years of a car. A vehicle’s greater average cost alone does not imply that it is less dependable. For instance, your car’s parts and labor may be pricey, especially if it’s a European luxury model, but if there are few serious problems and frequent service visits on average each year, that’s a sign of a dependable vehicle.
The typical annual frequency at which a vehicle is taken in for unplanned maintenance and repairs. This metric is produced by monitoring millions of distinctive automobiles over a number of years to ascertain the typical yearly visits for each make and model. Controls were included to prevent small, routine shop visits, such those for oil changes.
The severity element of dependability calculates the likelihood that a repair will cause a significant problem. The cost of a repair is assessed to be excessively expensive given the unscheduled nature of the repair if it is three times the average annual repair cost for all models. Due to their more expensive labor and component expenses, premium and luxury brands have a higher barrier.
Frequency
Compared to the average of 0.3 for compact cars and 0.4 for all vehicle models, Kia Forte owners bring their cars in for unplanned repairs 0.2 times less frequently each year.
A Kia Forte is what kind of vehicle?
*The price listed as the “Starting MSRP” is the MSRP for the base model trim. The MSRP of the model is listed in the “Build and Price” section. Destination and handling fees, taxes, title, license fees, extras, and dealer fees are not included in the MSRP. vehicles with optional extras displayed. Dealer sets the actual pricing, which can change. The “Build and Price section” contains information on the applicable destination and handling fees for each model. Details are available from the dealer. Some features are exclusive to certain bundles. Details can be found on the “Features & Specifications” and “Options” pages. The availability of vehicles, destination and handling costs, colors, materials, specs, features, accessories, packages, and models are all subject to change at any time by Kia America, Inc. typographical or technological issues not my fault.
Is a used Kia Forte a dependable vehicle?
A Kia Forte can go between 150,000 and 200,000 miles with the right maintenance, according to several reliable car sources, including the Vehicle History website. The Forte will last you 1013 years before substantial repairs are required if you drive over 14,250 miles annually, which is the typical for American drivers. It’s important to note that the Forte has a 10-year/100,000-mile guarantee and a stellar J. D. Power dependability rating of 87 out of 100.
Having careful and safe driving habits will significantly extend the life of your Forte. If you’re looking to purchase a used Kia Forte, make sure to look into the vehicle’s service history and inquire as to whether the previous owners adhered to the recommended maintenance schedule, which is essential to achieving higher mileage without experiencing any issues.
Among the crucial services are:
- Change the engine oil at 7,500 miles, rotate the tires, and check the air intake and vacuum hoses.
- Replace your temperature control air filter at 15,000 miles, and check your brake system, steering gearbox, and air conditioning refrigerant.
How durable are Kias?
Maintaining the factory-recommended maintenance plan and taking care of problems as soon as they appear are the best ways to maintain your Kia in good working order. Any material or workmanship flaws should be covered by the Kia guarantee that comes with new and certified pre-owned cars, but these protections ultimately run out.
If your car needs repairs after the first warranty period has passed, an extended warranty might assist cover the cost of such unforeseen expenses. Kia has an extended warranty that may be purchased directly from the company, but you can also acquire coverage from third parties.
Independent extended warranty providers frequently provide more options for coverage, older vehicle coverage, a larger network of repair facilities, and more comprehensive benefits. Endurance and CarShield are two companies that we suggest.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles of additional warranty coverage are possible with Endurance. Additionally, Endurance offers some of the market’s most comprehensive contracts. There are five different coverage options available, ranging from straightforward powertrain coverage to complete bumper-to-bumper warranty protection.
CarShield: Best Value
Additionally, CarShield provides extended warranty protection for cars with up to 300,000 miles on the odometer, potentially doubling the Kia factory warranty’s scope of coverage. CarShield offers a solid reputation in the market, a wide range of coverage options, and some of the most affordable contracts available.
For more information, see our comprehensive CarShield review. To get a free, no-risk CarShield quote, click the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kia is a dependable automaker. Overall, Kia receives a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing it third overall (out of 32 brands).
Both Kia and Toyota are well-known for their dependability, and both have a 4.0 out of 5.0 RepairPal reliability rating. Kias may be marginally more reliable, while RepairPal puts Toyota seventh overall and Kia third.
Kias require an average of 0.2 unforeseen repair shop visits year, according to RepairPal. This is half of the 0.4 visits per year average for all brands. You have a one in five risk of needing an unforeseen repair each year, according to this statistic.
Previously, the Kia name was associated with low-cost, subpar vehicles. This is partly because the brand’s automobiles had a lot of issues when it first appeared in the United States. Since then, Kia has made fleet improvements and has earned a reputation for having great reliability.
Yes, Kias have a reputation for lasting just as long as other trustworthy cars like Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota. Although the powertrain is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for up to 100,000 miles, many owners keep their Kias for much longer.
Is Hyundai the owner of Kia?
Some people consider Hyundai and Kia to be simply rebadged versions of the same cars. The two brands do have a close relationship, despite the fact that this is not the case. Hyundai acquired Kia in 1998 and now has a 51 percent share in the business. The two corporations are now regarded as sisters because that share has decreased to around a third.
Hyundai and Kia frequently use one another’s vehicle platforms as a result of their tight cooperation. Do the cars from both brands have the same engines?
What drawbacks exist with a Kia Forte?
The Kia Forte has a few flaws as well: Lacks space in the backseat. Several engine problems issues with the speakers for the audio. transmission problems
Styling and Presence
Hyundai and Kia have extremely comparable vehicle lineups. Though it’s important to note that Hyundai has established a luxury branch named Genesis that largely addresses those gaps, Kia does provide a few vehicles that Hyundai doesn’t. Hyundai’s aesthetic is generally much more restrained and understated, with slender curves and unobtrusive round forms making up the majority of the design elements. However, compared to their Hyundai cousins, Kia vehicles have sportier style that gives them a more aggressive and dynamic appearance. In a similar vein, compared to the Hyundai model, Kia SUV vehicles have a more robust, off-road oriented look. In general, Hyundai automobiles are more likely to blend in with the crowd, but Kia styling is more angular and futuristic, designed to grab attention and make a statement.
Performance and Handling
Although Hyundai and Kia share platforms and drivetrains, we already established that each company maintains its own independent engineering divisions. This is significant because it enables individual ride and handling characteristics to be tuned for each brand of car. It’s risky to generalize given the large range of vehicles available, including hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers, and vans. In contrast, a comparable Hyundai vehicle is probably going to prioritize a smoother, but disconnected-feeling ride, whilst you will probably find that Kia vehicles provide more dynamic, engaging handling qualities. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but in our opinion, Kia automobiles’ special chassis tuning significantly increases fun.
Price and Value
Kia automobiles are typically less priced than their Hyundai counterparts. The comparable Hyundai Elantra starts at $19,850, while the Kia Forte starts at $17,890. Although the Forte is less priced, Kia didn’t scrimp on quality or features. Like Hyundai, Kia provides one of the best warranties in the industry, which is ten years and 100,000 miles. Both companies offer quality that is unmatched in the industry and stand behind their products. In the J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study*, Kia placed third for 2021, ahead of brands like Toyota, Chevrolet, and even Mercedes-Benz. Even Hyundai’s luxury division, Genesis, ended behind Kia. Only Porsche and Lexus were ranked higher among mass market brands in terms of quality than Kia. At the top of that list, Kia is, in our opinion, in good company. It’s also important to note that J.D. Power named the Kia Optima, Sorento, and Sportage as the top models in each of their respective classes.
The Kia Advantage
In conclusion, Kia cars offer greater value and better quality, with bolder style and a more dynamic driving experience, even though Kia and Hyundai offer comparable vehicles. Simply put, no matter what you value most in a car, Kia automobiles are better overall. Of course, it is ultimately up to you to decide. We recognize that purchasing a new car is a significant investment. We advise you to test drive both brands since we are certain that you will ultimately decide on a Kia. Any way you look at it, it’s unquestionably the better option. Please forgive me, Hyundai.
Toyota Corolla versus Kia Forte: which is superior?
The Toyota Corolla has a 4.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, which places it first among 36 compact automobiles. Its great ownership costs are reflected in the $362 average yearly repair cost. Major problems are rare for the Corolla because to the low severity of repairs and average frequency of those problems.