2012 Kia Forte vs 2012 Volkswagen Golf

2012 Kia Forte

2012 Volkswagen Golf

Select style

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

2-Door HB DSG

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
GTI 2-Door HB DSG	24	33	$24,091	$25,095
GTI 2-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn	24	33	$29,851	$31,095
GTI 2-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn PZEV	24	33	$29,851	$31,095
GTI 2-Door HB DSG PZEV	24	33	$24,091	$25,095
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof	24	33	$26,281	$27,375
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV	24	33	$26,281	$27,375
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi	24	33	$27,787	$28,945
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV	24	33	$27,787	$28,945
GTI 2-Door HB Manual	21	31	$23,035	$23,995
GTI 2-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn	21	31	$28,795	$29,995
GTI 2-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn PZEV	21	31	$28,795	$29,995
GTI 2-Door HB Manual PZEV	21	31	$23,035	$23,995
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof	21	31	$25,224	$26,275
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV	21	31	$25,224	$26,275
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi	21	31	$26,731	$27,845
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV	21	31	$26,731	$27,845
GTI 4-Door HB DSG	24	33	$24,667	$25,695
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn	24	33	$30,427	$31,695
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn PZEV	24	33	$30,427	$31,695
GTI 4-Door HB DSG PZEV	24	33	$24,667	$25,695
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof	24	33	$26,857	$27,975
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV	24	33	$26,857	$27,975
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi	24	33	$28,363	$29,545
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV	24	33	$28,363	$29,545
GTI 4-Door HB Manual	21	31	$23,611	$24,595
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn	21	31	$29,371	$30,595
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn PZEV	21	31	$29,371	$30,595
GTI 4-Door HB Manual PZEV	21	31	$23,611	$24,595
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof	21	31	$25,801	$26,875
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV	21	31	$25,801	$26,875
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi	21	31	$27,307	$28,445
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV	21	31	$27,307	$28,445
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic	24	31	$18,331	$19,095
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic PZEV	24	31	$18,331	$19,095
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic w/Conv	24	31	$19,142	$19,940
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic w/Conv & Sunroof	24	31	$20,885	$21,755
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV	24	31	$20,885	$21,755
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic w/Conv PZEV	24	31	$19,142	$19,940
Golf 2-Door HB DSG TDI	30	42	$24,322	$25,335
Golf 2-Door HB DSG TDI w/Sunroof & Nav	30	42	$25,973	$27,055
Golf 2-Door HB DSG TDI w/Tech Pkg	30	42	$27,590	$28,740
Golf 2-Door HB Manual	23	33	$17,275	$17,995
Golf 2-Door HB Manual PZEV	23	33	$17,275	$17,995
Golf 2-Door HB Manual TDI	30	42	$23,266	$24,235
Golf 2-Door HB Manual TDI w/Sunroof & Nav	30	42	$24,917	$25,955
Golf 2-Door HB Manual TDI w/Tech Pkg	30	42	$26,534	$27,640
Golf 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv	23	33	$18,086	$18,840
Golf 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof	23	33	$19,829	$20,655
Golf 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV	23	33	$19,829	$20,655
Golf 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv PZEV	23	33	$18,086	$18,840
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic	24	31	$19,003	$19,795
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic PZEV	24	31	$19,003	$19,795
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic w/Conv	24	31	$19,814	$20,640
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic w/Conv & Sunroof	24	31	$21,557	$22,455
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV	24	31	$21,557	$22,455
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic w/Conv PZEV	24	31	$19,814	$20,640
Golf 4-Door HB DSG TDI	30	42	$24,993	$26,035
Golf 4-Door HB DSG TDI w/Sunroof & Nav	30	42	$26,645	$27,755
Golf 4-Door HB DSG TDI w/Tech Pkg	30	42	$28,262	$29,440
Golf 4-Door HB Manual TDI	30	42	$23,937	$24,935
Golf 4-Door HB Manual TDI w/Sunroof & Nav	30	42	$25,589	$26,655
Golf 4-Door HB Manual TDI w/Tech Pkg	30	42	$27,206	$28,340
Golf R 2-Door HB	19	27	$32,631	$33,990
Golf R 2-Door HB w/Sunroof & Navi	19	27	$34,071	$35,490
Golf R 4-Door HB	19	27	$33,207	$34,590
Golf R 4-Door HB w/Sunroof & Navi	19	27	$34,647	$36,090

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$16,760

$24,091

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$17,600

$25,095

Monthly Payment Estimate

$293 / month

$418 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.4

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

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 Volkswagen Golf feels like a premium vehicle, and it's priced like one too, especially its fuel-efficient TDI edition.

TCC Likes

Elegant, simple styling
Cabin space (sedan and hatch)
Standard connectivity features

Premium feel
Well-damped ride
Quick electric power steering

TCC Dislikes

Base model lacks telescopic steering
Balky clutch (manual)
Front-seat comfort

Frumpy looks
Mediocre gas mileage on base Golfs
Less room than expected in three-doors

Fuel Economy

City

26 mpg

24 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

35.0

35.5

Front Head Room (in)

40.0

39.3

Second Hip Room (in)

53.3

- TBD -

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.7

54.6

Passenger Volume (ft³)

96.8

93.5

Second Head Room (in)

37.6

38.5

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.7

53.1

Front Leg Room (in)

43.3

41.2

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

53.0

- TBD -

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

69.9

70.0

Track Width, Front (in)

61.3

60.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.9

5.0

Length, Overall (in)

178.3

165.8

Height, Overall (in)

57.5

57.8

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.6

59.7

Wheelbase (in)

104.3

101.5

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

14.7

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

46.0

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

15.3

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.0 x - TBD -

12.3 x 1.0

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.3 x - TBD -

11.3 x 0.5

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.7

14.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

14.2

15.6

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

33.9

35.8

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.89

3.0

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P195/65R15

225/40R18

Rear Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Front Tire Size

P195/65R15

225/40R18

Spare Tire Size

- TBD -

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Spare Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2791

3151

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

- TBD -

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

15 x 5.5

18 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

- TBD -

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

15 x 5.5

18 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

6.3

8.4

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

550

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

110

120

Engine

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

144 @ 4300

207 @ 1800-5000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0L/122

2.0L/121

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

156 @ 6200

200 @ 5100-6000

Engine Type

Gas I4

Turbocharged Gas I4

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.77

0.92

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.21

3.46

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.80

1.46

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.09

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.38

3.98

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.63

2.15

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.88

4.06/3.14

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.38

1.08

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Automatic w/manual shift

Summary

Vehicle Name

Kia Forte

Volkswagen GTI

Body Style

4 Door Sedan

Hatchback

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Torsion Beam

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Emissions

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

6.3

6.7

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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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