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Kia Forte vs. Volkswagen Jetta

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Forte and Volkswagen Jetta 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 Volkswagen Jetta.

In comparing the Kia Forte's and the Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, 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, resale value and interior volume. The Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Forte's and the Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.

Pricing: A used 2024 Kia Forte ranges from $19,899 to $26,527 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Jetta is priced between $21,495 to $29,945. For a new model, the Kia Forte's price is between $20,394 and $27,514, with the Volkswagen Jetta priced between $23,088 and $30,451.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Forte loses 33 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Jetta loses 36 percent of its value. This means the Kia Forte retains 3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Jetta.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Forte is 8.0 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Jetta's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the Kia Forte being ranked 27 out of 43 Best Small Cars and the Volkswagen Jetta being ranked 13 out of 43.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Forte is 7.6 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Jetta the reliability rating is 8.1 out of 10. This gives the Volkswagen Jetta 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 Volkswagen Jetta base engine makes 158 horsepower. The Forte is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 546 miles. The Jetta is rated to deliver an average of 34 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 554 miles. This gives the Volkswagen Jetta the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Kia Forte. Both models use regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, 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, and cargo space. The Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the area of rear leg room.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Volkswagen Jetta 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
Volkswagen Jetta

2024 Kia Forte
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Kia Forte for Sale

2024 Volkswagen Jetta
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Volkswagen Jetta for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$20,394 - $27,514

Starting MSRP:

$19,990

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$23,088 - $30,451

Starting MSRP:

$21,435

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$22,724

Price Range:

$19,899 - $26,527

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

7,298

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

509

# Good or Great Deals:

97

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$25,029

Price Range:

$21,495 - $29,945

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

4,189

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

614

# Good or Great Deals:

85

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$6,839

Depreciation %:

34.2%

Resale Value $:

$13,151

Residual Value %:

65.8%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$7,817

Depreciation %:

36.5%

Resale Value $:

$13,618

Residual Value %:

63.5%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

Kia Forte Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.0 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

8.5 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10

Volkswagen Jetta Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.8 / 10

Reliability:

8.1 / 10

Retained Value:

8.3 / 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:

7.4%

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Jetta

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:

9%



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

3.2

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Kia Forte Rankings

Most Affordable Small Cars

7 / 24

Most Comfortable Small Cars

11 / 43

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

13 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

13 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

13 / 43

Best Small Cars Under $20k

14 / 21

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

16 / 21

Most Reliable Small Cars

24 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

25 / 43

Best Small Cars

27 / 43

Best Small Cars for Tall People

27 / 43

Safest Small Cars

32 / 43

Volkswagen Jetta Rankings

Best Family Small Cars

3 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

6 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

8 / 24

Best Small Cars Under $25k

8 / 13

Best Small Cars for the Money

9 / 13

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

10 / 43

Safest Small Cars

11 / 43

Most Reliable Small Cars

11 / 43

Best Small Cars

13 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

24 / 43

Best Small Cars for Tall People

30 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

34 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

37 / 43

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Kia Forte Trim Levels

GT, GT-Line, LX, LXS

Volkswagen Jetta Trim Levels

SEL, Sport, S, SE

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:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

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):

5 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

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:

158 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque:

184 foot-lbs @ 1750 rpm

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

0.055 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:

1.5 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

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


29 / 42 / 34

Range (city/hwy):

383 / 554 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:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

N/A

Parking Sensors:

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Roadside assistance:

Standard

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:

Available

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:

Standard

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:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

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:

38.5 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.1 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

55.9 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.2 inches

Rear Leg Room:

37.4 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

54 inches

Cargo Space:

14.1 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

94.7 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:

2895 lbs

Width:

80.2 inches

Height:

57.7 inches

Length:

186.5 inches

Wheelbase:

105.7 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.5 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:

aluminum alloy with painted accents

Tire Size:

P205/60R16

Exterior Colors

Black

Aurora Black Pearl

Gray

Gravity Gray

White

Clear White

Blue

Not available

Silver

Not available

Exterior Colors

Black

Deep Black Pearl

Gray

Platinum Gray Metallic

White

Pure White

Blue

Rising Blue Metallic

Silver

Pyrite Silver Metallic

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Gray

Not available

Interior Colors

Black

Titan Black

Gray

Storm Gray

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