Hyundai SONATA vs. Kia Forte
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai SONATA 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 SONATA and the Kia Forte.
In comparing the Hyundai SONATA's and the Kia Forte's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SONATA has the advantage in the areas of interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. 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 fuel efficiency, reliability and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai SONATA's and the Kia Forte's specifications and ratings, the Kia Forte is a better car than the Hyundai SONATA.
Pricing: A used 2024 Hyundai SONATA ranges from $21,799 to $30,354 while a used 2024 Kia Forte is priced between $16,601 to $23,988. For a new model, the Hyundai SONATA's price is between $24,500 and $34,241, with the Kia Forte priced between $20,016 and $26,625.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Hyundai SONATA loses 46.2 percent of its value and the Kia Forte loses 39.3 percent of its value. This means the Kia Forte retains 6.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Hyundai SONATA.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Hyundai SONATA is 8.1 out of 10 while the Kia Forte's quality rating is 7.7 out of 10. This results in the Hyundai SONATA being ranked 4 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars and the Kia Forte being ranked 25 out of 37 Best Small Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Hyundai SONATA is 7.1 out of 10. For the Kia Forte the reliability rating is 7.6 out of 10. This gives the Kia Forte a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Hyundai SONATA.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Hyundai SONATA’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the Kia Forte base engine makes 147 horsepower. The SONATA is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 572 miles. The Forte is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 546 miles.This gives the Kia Forte the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Hyundai SONATA the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Hyundai SONATA, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Kia Forte, a compact car, has the advantage in the area of rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Hyundai SONATA has higher safety ratings than the Kia Forte, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Hyundai SONATA has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
24500 - 34241
Starting MSRP:
27500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
26196
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
24700 - 27895
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
20016 - 26625
Starting MSRP:
19990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
26555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
17795 - 45665
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
25465
Price Range:
21799 - 30354
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
25370
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
20239 - 27759
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
678
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
12450
# Good or Great Deals:
189
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
19356
Price Range:
16601 - 23988
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
26717
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
15053 - 44102
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
921
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
21797
# Good or Great Deals:
221
Hyundai SONATA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Kia Forte Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
7.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai SONATA
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
10.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
6.8 - 12.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.036
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Forte
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.0
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
11.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
7.8 - 15.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.115
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.226124383806757
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
2.2 - 18.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.421398104720195
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.6 - 22.6
Hyundai SONATA Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Kia Forte Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 22Ranking
10 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 37Ranking
13 out of / 17Ranking
15 out of / 37Ranking
19 out of / 37Ranking
21 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Hyundai SONATA Trim Levels
N Line, 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):
5 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:
5 out of 5 Stars
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:
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.060 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:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 36 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
398 / 572 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
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
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
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
Parking Sensors:
Available
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:
N/A
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 inches
Front Leg Room:
46.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
104.4 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:
3192 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
192.9 inches
Wheelbase:
111.8 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:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/55R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
195/60R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Onyx Black Pearl
Blue
Carbon Blue Pearl / Transmission Blue Pearl
Gray
Nocturne Gray / Portofino Gray Metallic
Red
Ultimate Red Pearl
Silver
Aero Silver Metallic
White
Serenity White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Blue
Not available
Gray
Gravity Gray
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Clear White
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Dark Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
