Kia Forte vs Hyundai Elantra
Compact cars · head to head, 2010–2024
The Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra were both sold for 15 model years (2010–2024). Among the Forte's own years, its best bet is 2022; years to avoid: 2013–2014, 2017; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024. Among the Elantra's own years, its best bet is 2024; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Kia Forte
Sedan · 2010–2024
- Best bet 2022
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid 2013–2014, 2017
- Be careful 2011–2012, 2015, 2018–2019
Hyundai Elantra
Sedan · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2024
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2012, 2017
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Forte year says nothing about whether it beats a Elantra. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Kia Forte | Hyundai Elantra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly collision avoidance and engine | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly power train and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2018 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly engine and air bags | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.9× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly engine and structure | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly engine and air bags | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.3× usual, mostly engine and steering | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and brakes | Side by side |
| 2013 | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.7× usual, mostly engine and brakes | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.1× usual, mostly engine and air bags | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and air bags | Side by side |
| 2011 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly engine and air bags | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and air bags | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and air bags | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2024: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2024 Kia Forte | 2024 Hyundai Elantra | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | GOOD BUY | BEST BUY |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $19,990 to $24,690 base price by trim, 4 trims | $21,625 to $33,700 base price by trim, 8 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 201 hp 2.0L 4-cyl, 147 hp manual available | 1.6L 4-cyl hybrid 1.6L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl 2.0L 4-cyl turbo manual available |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 26–34 mpg | 23–54 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 4 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 0 · 25 | 1 · 61 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2024 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Forte LX lowest price, $19,990 | Forte GT highest price, $24,690 | Elantra SE lowest price, $21,625 | Elantra N Base highest price, $33,700 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | — | Standard | Wired only |
| Adaptive cruise control | — | Varies | — | — |
| Blind-spot warning | — | Varies | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | — | — | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | — | — | Varies |
| Remote start | — | Varies | — | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2024 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2024 page (Forte, Elantra).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Kia Forte
14 manufacturer programs on file: 2 extended coverage, 12 repair programs.
- Extended coverage TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CLOCKSPRING REPLACEMENT FOR AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON â DTC B1346/B1481 - This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the driverâÂÂs airbag clock spring assembly on some 2012-2013MY… (TSB ELE218, 2014–2015 models)
- Extended coverage WARRANTY EXTENSION - NOTICE TO DEALER PRINCIPALS - This document is notice to the dealer principals of the warranty extension on the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly on 2012-2013 MY Rio and 2014-2015 MY Forte and Forte Koup… (WTY017, 2014–2015 models)
Hyundai Elantra
25 manufacturer programs on file: 10 extended coverage, 15 repair programs.
- Extended coverage The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use,… (22-EM-006H-2, 2014–2020 models)
- Extended coverage Hyundai has announced an extended warranty for the motor driven power steering (MDPS) coupling on the following vehicles: ? 2011-2014 Sonata (YFa), 2011-2014 Sonata Hybrid (YF HEV) ? 2007-2015 Elantra (HD, MD/UD), 2009-2012 Elantra Touring… (5NP-F8M5G, 2010–2015 models)
- Extended coverage Certain Elantra (CN7) non-N-Line and N-Line, Elantra (CN7A), Elantra N (CN7 N), and Elantra Hybrid (CN7 HEV) vehicles may experience an inoperable horn. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this… (25-BE-005H-1, 2021–2025 models)
- Extended coverage Certain Hyundai Elantra (CN7) non N-Line and N-Line, Elantra (CN7A), Elantra (CN7 N), and Elantra Hybrid (CN7 HEV) vehicles may experience an inoperable horn. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this… (25-BE-005H-2, 2021–2025 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2010, 2016, 2020–2024. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2014: the Elantra is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and brakes), while the Forte is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.3× usual, mostly engine and steering). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2013: the Elantra is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.1× usual), while the Forte is rated avoid (serious complaints 2.7× usual, mostly engine and brakes). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: Forte 2013–2014, 2017.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Forte 2024; Elantra 2025.
- Third row: neither has one in 2024.
- Lower starting price in 2024: the Forte, from $19,990 against $21,625. Prices are the maker's listed base prices, not what dealers charge.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2024: Elantra at 54 mpg (Forte: 34), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.