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Hyundai ELANTRA vs. Kia Forte

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai ELANTRA and Kia Forte contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Hyundai ELANTRA and the Kia Forte.

When comparing the Hyundai ELANTRA's and the Kia Forte's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai ELANTRA has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume and overall quality score. The Kia Forte has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. The Hyundai ELANTRA and Kia Forte have the same base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai ELANTRA's and the Kia Forte's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.

Pricing: A used 2024 Hyundai ELANTRA ranges from $21,995 to $27,989 while a used 2024 Kia Forte is priced between $19,899 to $26,527. For a new model, the Hyundai ELANTRA's price is between $22,531 and $28,639, with the Kia Forte priced between $20,394 and $27,514.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Hyundai ELANTRA loses 33.4 percent of its value and the Kia Forte loses 33 percent of its value. This means the Kia Forte retains 0.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Hyundai ELANTRA.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Hyundai ELANTRA is 8.3 out of 10 while the Kia Forte's quality rating is 8.0 out of 10. This results in the Hyundai ELANTRA being ranked 12 out of 37 Best Small Cars and the Kia Forte being ranked 25 out of 37.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Hyundai ELANTRA is 7.8 out of 10. For the Kia Forte the reliability rating is 7.6 out of 10. This gives the Hyundai ELANTRA a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Forte.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the Hyundai ELANTRA and the Kia Forte makes 147 horsepower.

Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Hyundai ELANTRA has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Kia Forte has the advantage in the areas of rear head room cargo space.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Hyundai ELANTRA has higher safety ratings than the Kia Forte, with an average rating of 4.64 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Hyundai ELANTRA has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.

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Model & Pricing
Hyundai ELANTRA
Kia Forte

2024 Hyundai ELANTRA
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Hyundai ELANTRA for Sale

2024 Kia Forte
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Kia Forte for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$22,531 - $28,639

Starting MSRP:

$21,625

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$20,394 - $27,514

Starting MSRP:

$19,990

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$24,763

Price Range:

$21,995 - $27,989

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

1,455

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

11,831

# Good or Great Deals:

259

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$22,724

Price Range:

$19,899 - $26,527

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

919

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

19,541

# Good or Great Deals:

189

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$7,431

Depreciation %:

34.4%

Resale Value $:

$14,194

Residual Value %:

65.6%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$6,839

Depreciation %:

34.2%

Resale Value $:

$13,151

Residual Value %:

65.8%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

Hyundai ELANTRA Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.3 / 10

Reliability:

7.8 / 10

Retained Value:

8.4 / 10

Safety:

8.6 / 10

Kia Forte Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.0 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

8.5 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai ELANTRA

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

10.2

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

11.2

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

10.1 - 13.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

6.6%

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Forte

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

10.3

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

11.2

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

10.1 - 13.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

7.4%



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

4.1

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

3.2

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Hyundai ELANTRA Rankings

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

1 / 37

Best Small Cars for Tall People

2 / 37

Most Comfortable Small Cars

5 / 37

Best Small Cars Under $25k

5 / 13

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $25k

6 / 13

Best Small Cars for Teens

6 / 6

Safest Small Cars

7 / 37

Best Small Cars for the Money

7 / 22

Most Affordable Small Cars

7 / 22

Best Small Cars

12 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

12 / 37

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

14 / 37

Most Reliable Small Cars

15 / 37

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

26 / 37

Kia Forte Rankings

Most Affordable Small Cars

4 / 22

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $20k

4 / 15

Best Small Cars for the Money

5 / 22

Most Comfortable Small Cars

10 / 37

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

11 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

11 / 37

Best Small Cars Under $20k

11 / 15

Most Reliable Small Cars

13 / 37

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

13 / 17

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

15 / 37

Best Small Cars for Tall People

19 / 37

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

21 / 37

Best Small Cars

25 / 37

Safest Small Cars

25 / 37

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Hyundai ELANTRA Trim Levels

Limited, N Line, SE, SEL

Kia Forte Trim Levels

GT, GT-Line, LX, LXS

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

10 years / 100000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

5 years

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

10 years / 100000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

5 years / 60000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

4.64 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

TOP SAFETY PICK

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque:

132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.054 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque:

132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.053 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


28 / 39 / 32

Range (city/hwy):

392 / 546 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Available

Roadside assistance:

Available

Satellite radio:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Alloy wheels:

Available

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Available

Roadside assistance:

Available

Satellite radio:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

Available

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

40.6 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.3 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

56.5 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.3 inches

Rear Leg Room:

38 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

55.6 inches

Cargo Space:

14.2 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

99.4 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.8 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

56.1 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.5 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.7 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

55.3 inches

Cargo Space:

15.3 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

96.0 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2725 lbs

Width:

71.9 inches

Height:

55.7 inches

Length:

184.1 inches

Wheelbase:

107.1 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2769 lbs

Width:

70.9 inches

Height:

56.5 inches

Length:

182.7 inches

Wheelbase:

106.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

15.0 x 6.0 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

195/65R15

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

15.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

195/60R15

Exterior Colors

Black

Abyss Black Pearl

Blue

Intense Blue Pearl

Gray

Amazon Gray Pearl / Ecotronic Gray Pearl / Fluid Metal Metallic

Red

Ultimate Red Pearl

White

Serenity White Pearl

Exterior Colors

Black

Aurora Black Pearl

Blue

Not available

Gray

Gravity Gray

Red

Not available

White

Clear White

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Gray

Gray

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Gray

Not available

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