Compare 2012 Kia Forte vs 2012 Toyota Matrix

2012 Kia Forte
2012 Toyota Matrix
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4-Door Sedan Automatic EX
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Forte 4-Door Sedan Automatic EX 26 36 $16,760 $17,600
Forte 4-Door Sedan Automatic LX 26 36 $15,880 $16,200
Forte 4-Door Sedan Automatic SX 23 32 $18,190 $19,100
Forte 4-Door Sedan Manual LX 25 34 $14,900 $15,200
Forte 5-Door 5-Door HB EX 26 36 $17,240 $18,100
Forte 5-Door 5-Door HB SX 23 32 $18,670 $19,600
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Automatic EX 25 34 $17,330 $18,200
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Automatic SX 23 31 $18,670 $19,600
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Manual EX 24 33 $16,380 $17,200
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Manual SX 22 32 $17,710 $18,600
Select style
5-Door Wgn Automatic L FWD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Automatic L FWD 25 32 $18,603 $19,685
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Automatic S AWD 20 26 $20,086 $21,715
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Automatic S FWD 21 29 $19,199 $20,755
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Manual L FWD 26 32 $17,808 $18,845
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Manual S FWD 21 28 $18,097 $19,565

Pricing

Invoice Price
$16,760
$18,603

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$17,600
$19,685

Monthly Payment Estimate
$293 / month
$328 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating
7.4
7.4

TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2012 Kia Forte family of vehicles manages to feel more eager, comfortable, and sophisticated than its sticker price might suggest. The 2012 Toyota Matrix combines the frugality of the best-selling Corolla with a little more sportiness and versatility--but it still comes up a bit short in features.

TCC Likes

TCC Dislikes

Fuel Economy

City
26 mpg 25 mpg

Highway
36 mpg 32 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification
Compact Cars Small Station Wagon

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)
53.3 43.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)
55.7 53.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)
96.8 94.2

Second Head Room (in)
37.6 39.3

Second Shoulder Room (in)
54.7 52.6

Front Leg Room (in)
43.3 41.6

Passenger Capacity
5 5

Front Hip Room (in)
53.0 52.3

Second Leg Room (in)
35.0 36.2

Front Head Room (in)
40.0 40.5

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)
61.3 59.8

Min Ground Clearance (in)
5.9 5.8

Length, Overall (in)
178.3 171.9

Height, Overall (in)
57.5 61.0

Track Width, Rear (in)
61.6 59.9

Wheelbase (in)
104.3 102.4

Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
69.9 69.5

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)
14.7 -

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)
- 49.4

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)
- 19.8

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA

Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
10.3 x - TBD - 10.1 x - TBD -

Brake Type
Pwr Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA

Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.0 x - TBD - 10.7 x - TBD -

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
13.7 13.2

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
14.2 16.2

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
33.9 36.0

Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr rack & pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.89 3.1

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD -

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA

Front Tire Size
P195/65R15 P205/55R16

Spare Tire Size
- TBD - Compact

Front Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA

Spare Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA

Rear Tire Size
P195/65R15 P205/55R16

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA 150

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA 225

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA 1500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA 1500

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)
2791 2888

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)
15 x 5.5 16 x 6.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)
- TBD - Compact

Rear Wheel Material
Steel Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)
15 x 5.5 16 x 6.5

Front Wheel Material
Steel Steel

Spare Wheel Material
- TBD - Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
6.3 5.8

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
550 - TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
110 - TBD -

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM
144 @ 4300 128 @ 4400

Engine Order Code
NA NA

Displacement
2.0L/122 1.8L/110

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
156 @ 6200 132 @ 6000

Engine Type
Gas I4 Gas I4

Fuel System
Electronic Fuel Injection Electronic Fuel Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
36 32

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
26 25

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
29 28

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)
NA NA

Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.80 1.00

Trans Type
6 4

Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 NA

Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA

Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.38 2.34

Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.63 1.55

Trans Order Code
NA NA

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
2.88 4.24

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.38 0.70

Trans Description Cont.
Automatic Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.77 NA

First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.21 2.85

Summary

Vehicle Name
Kia Forte Toyota Matrix

Body Style
4 Door Sedan 5 Door Wagon

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- TBD - 0.9

Suspension Type - Rear
Torsion Beam Independent

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs NA

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD -

Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- TBD - 0.8

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs NA

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
7 -

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
6.3 6.7

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating
--

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
--

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
--

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
--

Overall Side Crash Rating
--

Side Barrier Rating
--

Side Barrier Rating Driver
--

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
--

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
--

Combined Side Rating Front Seat
--

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
--

Rollover Rating

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