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Kia Forte vs. Subaru Impreza

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Forte and Subaru Impreza 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 Subaru Impreza.

In comparing the Kia Forte's and the Subaru Impreza's specifications and ratings, the Kia Forte has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. The Subaru Impreza has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Forte's and the Subaru Impreza's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Impreza is a better car than the Kia Forte.

Pricing: A used 2024 Kia Forte ranges from $19,899 to $26,527 while a used 2023 Subaru Impreza is priced between $19,663 to $26,590.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Forte loses 33 percent of its value and the Subaru Impreza loses 29.7 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Impreza retains 3.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Forte.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Forte is 8.0 out of 10 while the Subaru Impreza's quality rating is 8.9 out of 10. This results in the Kia Forte being ranked 25 out of 37 Best Small Cars and the Subaru Impreza being ranked 9 out of 37.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Forte is 7.6 out of 10. For the Subaru Impreza the reliability rating is 8.0 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Impreza 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 Subaru Impreza base engine makes 152 horsepower. The Forte is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 546 miles. The Impreza is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 409 miles. This gives the Kia Forte the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Subaru Impreza. Both models use regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Subaru Impreza 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 Subaru Impreza 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.

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Model & Pricing
Kia Forte
Subaru Impreza

2024 Kia Forte
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Kia Forte for Sale

2023 Subaru Impreza Sedan
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Subaru Impreza for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

20394 - 27514

Starting MSRP:

19990

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

26555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

17795 - 45665

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

19795

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

25502

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

17245 - 44740

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

22724

Price Range:

19899 - 26527

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

28855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

19171 - 47673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

921

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

21797

# Good or Great Deals:

221

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

23290

Price Range:

19663 - 26590

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

27642

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

17037 - 46048

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

264

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

30537

# Good or Great Deals:

52

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

6839

Depreciation %:

0.34213261

Resale Value $:

13151

Residual Value %:

0.65786739

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

0.3164027

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

0.24379468 - 0.4011125

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

6019

Depreciation %:

0.30407279

Resale Value $:

13776

Residual Value %:

0.69592721

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

0.30407279

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

0.30407279 - 0.30407279

Kia Forte Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.01667 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

8.450009 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10

Subaru Impreza Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.895238 / 10

Reliability:

8.027956 / 10

Retained Value:

8.657759 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10



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:

0.074

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Impreza

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

9.5

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

10.0

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

9.1 - 12.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.023



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

3.160785193043901

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.0 - 18.8

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

12.521689585412819

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

3.4

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

1.5 - 22.8

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

Subaru Impreza Rankings

Best Small Cars Under $20k

2 / 15

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $20k

2 / 15

Most Comfortable Small Cars

3 / 37

Best Small Cars for Tall People

5 / 37

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

7 / 17

Best Small Cars

9 / 37

Most Reliable Small Cars

9 / 37

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

10 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

10 / 37

Safest Small Cars

11 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

23 / 37

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan, Wagon

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Kia Forte Trim Levels

GT, GT-Line, LX, LXS

Subaru Impreza Trim Levels

Base, Premium, Sport, Limited

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:

3 years / 36000 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:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

5 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:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque:

132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm

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

0.053 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

152 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque:

145 foot-lbs @ 4000 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:

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

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Flat/Horizontally Opposed

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

AWD

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


23 / 31 / 26

Range (city/hwy):

304 / 409 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

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

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

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:

N/A

Heated Seats

Available

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

N/A

Navigation System:

Standard

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Parking Sensors:

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Roadside assistance:

Standard

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:

N/A

Internet Radio:

Standard

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

Available

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

Available

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Forward Collision Warning:

Available

Lane Departure Warning:

Available

Lane Keeping Assist:

Available

Pedestrian Detection:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

Available

Blind Spot Monitoring:

N/A

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

N/A

360-Degree Camera:

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:

39.8 inches

Front Leg Room:

43.1 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

56.7 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.2 inches

Rear Leg Room:

36.5 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

55.6 inches

Cargo Space:

12.3 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

99.8 cubic feet

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

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2976 lbs

Width:

79.4 inches

Height:

57.3 inches

Length:

182.1 inches

Wheelbase:

105.1 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.1 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

15.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

195/60R15

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

205/55R16

Exterior Colors

Black

Aurora Black Pearl

Gray

Gravity Gray

White

Clear White

Blue

Not available

Red

Not available

Silver

Not available

Exterior Colors

Black

Crystal Black Silica

Gray

Magnetite Gray Metallic

White

Crystal White Pearl

Blue

Ocean Blue Pearl / Sapphire Blue Pearl

Red

Crimson Red Pearl

Silver

Ice Silver Metallic

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Beige

Not available

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Beige

Ivory

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