Kia Forte vs. Ford Fusion
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Forte and Ford Fusion 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 Kia Forte and the Ford Fusion.
When we compare the Kia Forte's and the Ford Fusion's specifications and ratings, the Kia Forte has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and resale value. The Ford Fusion has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Forte's and the Ford Fusion's specifications and ratings, the Ford Fusion is a better car than the Kia Forte.
Pricing: A used 2020 Kia Forte ranges from $13,399 to $20,271 while a used 2020 Ford Fusion is priced between $14,994 to $23,000.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Forte loses 33 percent of its value and the Ford Fusion loses 42.3 percent of its value. This means the Kia Forte retains 9.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Ford Fusion.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Forte is 8.0 out of 10 while the Ford Fusion's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Kia Forte being ranked 27 out of 43 Best Small Cars and the Ford Fusion being ranked 4 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Forte is 7.6 out of 10. For the Ford Fusion the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the Ford Fusion a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Forte.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Forte’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Ford Fusion base engine makes 175 horsepower. The Forte is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 518 miles. The Fusion is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 512 miles. This gives the Kia Forte the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford Fusion. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Fusion, 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, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Ford Fusion 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.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$17,890
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$20,870
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,995 - $28,595
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$23,170
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$25,348
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$22,095 - $35,995
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$16,815
Price Range:
$13,399 - $20,271
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$20,060
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$12,327 - $29,211
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
497
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
65,531
# Good or Great Deals:
166
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$18,866
Price Range:
$14,994 - $23,000
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$21,688
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$17,665 - $30,211
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
898
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
69,730
# Good or Great Deals:
285
Kia Forte Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Ford Fusion Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Forte
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
6.1 - 9.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
7.4%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Fusion
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
5.3 - 9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
6.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.6 - 17.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.2 - 16.8
Kia Forte Rankings
Ranking
7 out of / 24Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 21Ranking
16 out of / 21Ranking
24 out of / 43Ranking
25 out of / 43Ranking
27 out of / 43Ranking
27 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Ford Fusion Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Forte Trim Levels
EX, FE, GT, GT Line, LXS
Ford Fusion Trim Levels
S, SE, SEL, Titanium
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
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
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 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:
175 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
175 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 37 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
378 / 518 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
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):
21 / 31 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
347 / 512 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
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
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
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
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
102.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2721 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
182.7 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3410 lbs
Width:
83.5 inches
Height:
58.1 inches
Length:
191.7 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P195/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Gray
Gravity Gray
White
Clear White
Blue
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Agate Black
Gray
Magnetic
White
Oxford White
Blue
Velocity Blue
Red
Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
Silver
Iconic Silver
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Brown
Medium Light Stone