Kia Forte vs. Scion tC
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Forte and Scion tC 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 Scion tC.
When we compare the Kia Forte's and the Scion tC'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 interior volume. The Scion tC has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Forte's and the Scion tC's specifications and ratings, the Kia Forte is a better car than the Scion tC.
Pricing: A used 2016 Kia Forte ranges from $6,207 to $15,790 while a used 2016 Scion tC is priced between $9,477 to $17,997.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Forte’s base engine makes 145 horsepower, and the Scion tC base engine makes 179 horsepower. The Forte is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 488 miles. The tC is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 450 miles. This gives the Kia Forte the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Scion tC. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Forte 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: 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:
$15,990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$19,416
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$15,990 - $35,650
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$19,385
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$10,675
Price Range:
$6,207 - $15,790
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$13,577
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$10,035 - $24,151
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
206
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
99,456
# Good or Great Deals:
69
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$13,916
Price Range:
$9,477 - $17,997
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
28
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
94,837
# Good or Great Deals:
14
Kia Forte Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Scion tC 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):
2.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
2.5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
1 - 6.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
7.4%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Scion tC
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
21.1%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.6 - 9.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
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 / 43Scion tC Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Forte Trim Levels
EX, LX
Scion tC Trim Levels
Base, Release Series 10.0
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:
2 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 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
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
145 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
130 foot-lbs @ 4700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
179 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
172 foot-lbs @ 4100 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.058 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 37 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 488 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 31 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
334 / 450 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
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:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Available
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:
N/A
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:
37.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.1 inches
Cargo Space:
14.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
88.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2804 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:
3082 lbs
Width:
70.7 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
176.6 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Blue
Steel Blue
Red
Crimson Red
Silver
Silky Silver
White
Clear White
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black
Blue
Blue Streak Metallic
Red
Absolutely Red
Silver
Not available
White
Blizzard Pearl
Gray
Cement / Cosmic Gray Mica / Magnetic Gray Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Dark Charcoal
Gray
Not available