2012 Kia Forte MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2012 Kia Forte is rated 26 to 30 mpg combined across 8 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Eco.

EPA fuel economy

2012 Kia Forte · 8 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

30MPG combined

27 city 35 highway

$2,250 a year to fuel

2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Eco

Best version saves $750 in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,250 to $2,600 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2011.

Fewer complaints than a typical Forte year

The 2012 drew 23 owner complaints in its first three years, against 35 for a typical Forte year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.

Years to avoid: 2019; best year: 2022. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Forte year ranked The 2012 Forte's recalls and problems

Every 2012 Forte version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Eco Best EPA listing: Forte Eco	30 mpg	27 / 35	$2,250
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Forte	29 mpg	25 / 35	$2,300
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Koup EPA listing: Forte Koup	28 mpg	25 / 34	$2,400
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Forte	28 mpg	25 / 34	$2,400
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual · Koup EPA listing: Forte Koup	27 mpg	24 / 32	$2,500
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Forte	26 mpg	23 / 31	$2,600
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Koup EPA listing: Forte Koup	26 mpg	23 / 30	$2,600
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Forte (also Forte Koup)	26 mpg	22 / 31	$2,600

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Eco	$2,235	$186	$11,175
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,312	$193	$11,560
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Koup	$2,395	$200	$11,973
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$2,395	$200	$11,973
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual · Koup	$2,483	$207	$12,417
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,579	$215	$12,894
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Koup	$2,579	$215	$12,894
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$2,579	$215	$12,894

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Kia Forte MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 29 to 35 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2024); highest in 2019.

2012: gas 30 mpg

Show as a table

Kia Forte best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version
2010	30
2011	30
2012	30
2013	30
2014	29
2015	30
2016	30
2017	32
2018	32
2019	35
2020	35
2021	35
2022	35
2023	34
2024	34

Every Forte year's ratings in one table

How the 2012 Forte compares

2012 compact cars covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2012 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota Prius Best: hybrid	48 mpg	–	$1,400
Honda Civic Best: hybrid	44 mpg	32 mpg	$1,500
Hyundai Elantra Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$2,100
Mazda3 Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$2,100
Volkswagen Jetta Best: diesel	32 mpg	28 mpg	$2,400
Kia Forte This page Best: gas	30 mpg	30 mpg	$2,250
Toyota Corolla Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,300
Nissan Sentra Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,300

2012 Forte recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 306 owner complaints for the 2012 Forte.

Owners most often describe engine failure (70 complaints, 23%), then stalling (42). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars for the versions it has rated.

See the 2012 Forte recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2012 Kia Forte need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2012 Kia Forte version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2012 Forte's MPG compare with the 2011?

For 2012, the best gas version is rated 30 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.