Kia Forte vs. Mitsubishi Lancer
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Forte and Mitsubishi Lancer 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 Mitsubishi Lancer.
When comparing the Kia Forte's and the Mitsubishi Lancer'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 interior volume. The Mitsubishi Lancer has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Kia Forte and Mitsubishi Lancer have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Kia Forte's and the Mitsubishi Lancer's specifications and ratings, the Kia Forte is a better car than the Mitsubishi Lancer.
Pricing: A used 2017 Kia Forte ranges from $7,700 to $16,900 while a used 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer is priced between $7,978 to $16,992.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Forte’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Mitsubishi Lancer base engine makes 148 horsepower. Both the Forte and the Lancer are rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 449 and 512 miles respectively. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Forte has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Mitsubishi Lancer has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Kia Forte has an average safety rating of 4 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
16600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
20010
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
13995 - 35655
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
17795
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
12182
Price Range:
7700 - 16900
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
15337
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
8833 - 26195
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
294
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
97892
# Good or Great Deals:
110
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
12086
Price Range:
7978 - 16992
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
23
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
90815
# Good or Great Deals:
5
Kia Forte Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.01667 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.450009 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Mitsubishi Lancer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Forte
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
4.0
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
2.1 - 7.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.074
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mitsubishi Lancer
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.269
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.05928204770919
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 14.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.0367943700078472
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Kia 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 / 37Mitsubishi Lancer Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Forte Trim Levels
EX, LX, S
Mitsubishi Lancer Trim Levels
ES, LE, SE, SEL
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:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
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):
Not yet available
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:
4 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):
0.052 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
148 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
145 foot-lbs @ 4200 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):
25 / 34 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 449 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 33 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
372 / 512 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.9 inches
Cargo Space:
14.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
96.2 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.3 inches
Cargo Space:
12.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
93.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2811 lbs
Width:
70.1 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
179.5 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2888 lbs
Width:
69.4 inches
Height:
58.3 inches
Length:
182.1 inches
Wheelbase:
103.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
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:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black
Blue
Deep Sea Blue
Brown
Titanium Bronze
Red
Garnet Red
Silver
Silky Silver
White
Clear White
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Labrador Black Pearl
Blue
Octane Blue Pearl
Brown
Not available
Red
Rally Red Metallic
Silver
Alloy Silver Metallic
White
Diamond White Pearl
Gray
Mercury Gray Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
Beige
Beige
