The compact sedan segment has seen some fierce competition in recent years, with two of the most notable contenders being the Hyundai Elantra and the Kia Forte. As sister companies, Hyundai and Kia have a history of sharing platforms, engines, and even design cues, which has led to a close rivalry between their respective compact sedans.
In this in-depth article, we will delve into an in-depth comparison of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte, examining their various features and characteristics to help you decide which one best suits your needs.
Exterior Design
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte both feature striking exterior designs that are sure to turn heads. The Elantra boasts a bold and aggressive look, with its large front grille, sharp LED headlights, and distinctive, angular lines. Its coupe-like profile and sloping roofline add a sporty flair that sets it apart from the competition.
In contrast, the Kia Forte presents a more understated, yet elegant design. Its smooth, flowing lines and refined details create a cohesive and mature appearance. The Forte also features a sleek, signature “tiger-nose” grille and modern LED lighting, which contribute to its premium look.
Interior Design
Inside, both the 2023 Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte offer stylish and well-appointed cabins that boast quality materials and cutting-edge technology. The Elantra’s interior design is focused on creating a driver-centric experience, with a wraparound dashboard and an intuitively laid-out center console. The use of soft-touch materials and ambient lighting add to the premium feel of the cabin.
The Forte’s interior, on the other hand, leans more towards a minimalist and clean design. It features a horizontally oriented dashboard with easy-to-use controls and a generous amount of high-quality materials. Both vehicles offer an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, with an optional 10.25-inch screen available on higher trims.
Seating
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte offer comfortable and supportive seating for up to five passengers. Both vehicles feature well-bolstered front seats, which provide ample support for long drives. In the rear, passengers will find sufficient legroom and headroom, though taller passengers might find the Elantra’s sloping roofline slightly restrictive.
Storage
When it comes to cargo space, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra offers 14.2 cubic feet of trunk capacity, while the Kia Forte slightly edges it out with 15.3 cubic feet. Both vehicles also feature 60/40 split-folding rear seats, which allow for increased storage capacity when needed.
Performance
Under the hood, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte come equipped with 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. Both sedans offer responsive handling and a comfortable ride, making them suitable for daily commutes and long drives alike.
For those seeking a sportier experience, both the Elantra and Forte offer performance-oriented variants – the Elantra N-Line and the Forte GT – which boast turbocharged engines and sport-tuned suspensions.
Fuel Efficiency
In terms of fuel efficiency, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte are neck-and-neck, with both sedans achieving an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. Both vehicles also offer hybrid variants that promise even greater fuel savings.
Safety
Both the 2023 Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte come equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention monitoring. Additionally, both vehicles offer optional safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control, ensuring a safe driving experience for all occupants.
Trim Levels
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra is available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, N-Line, Limited, and Hybrid. The base SE trim offers standard features like an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a suite of advanced safety features. Moving up the trim ladder, buyers can expect additional features such as a sunroof, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a premium sound system.
The Kia Forte is offered in four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. The entry-level FE trim comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a suite of safety features. Higher trims add amenities such as alloy wheels, a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, and sporty exterior accents.
Pricing
In terms of pricing, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra starts at $19,850 for the base SE trim, while the top-of-the-line Limited model starts at $25,450. The Elantra Hybrid is priced from $23,550.
The 2023 Kia Forte begins at a slightly lower price point, with the base FE trim starting at $19,090. The sporty GT trim, which sits at the top of the range, starts at $24,690.
Key Differences
While the 2023 Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte share similarities in terms of performance, fuel efficiency, and safety features, there are some key differences that set them apart. Here, we will outline the main distinctions between these two compact sedans to help potential buyers make a more informed decision.
Interior Design
The Elantra’s interior focuses on creating a driver-centric experience, with a wraparound dashboard and an intuitively laid-out center console. Soft-touch materials and ambient lighting enhance the premium feel of the cabin. Conversely, the Forte’s interior emphasizes a minimalist and clean design, featuring a horizontally oriented dashboard with easy-to-use controls and a generous amount of high-quality materials.
Cargo Space
In terms of cargo capacity, the Kia Forte has a slight advantage over the Hyundai Elantra. The Forte offers 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space, whereas the Elantra provides 14.2 cubic feet. Both vehicles, however, feature 60/40 split-folding rear seats for increased storage capacity when needed.
Trim Levels
The Hyundai Elantra is available in five trim levels (SE, SEL, N-Line, Limited, and Hybrid), while the Kia Forte comes in four trim levels (FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT). Although both vehicles offer a wide range of features and options, the Elantra provides an additional Hybrid variant, which may appeal to buyers seeking better fuel economy and reduced emissions.
Pricing
When it comes to pricing, the Kia Forte has a slightly lower starting price compared to the Hyundai Elantra. The base FE trim of the Forte starts at $19,090, while the Elantra’s base SE trim starts at $19,850. This difference in pricing could be a deciding factor for buyers on a tight budget.
Final Thoughts:
After exploring the various aspects of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte, it’s clear that both compact sedans have a lot to offer in terms of design, performance, and technology. While the Elantra stands out with its bold and aggressive styling and driver-centric interior, the Forte appeals to those looking for a more refined and understated appearance.
Regardless of your decision, both the 2023 Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte offer excellent value for money in a highly competitive market segment, ensuring that buyers can confidently make a choice knowing they’re investing in a quality compact sedan.
Features Breakdown
2023 Hyundai Elantra
- Exterior Design:
- Bold and aggressive styling
- Large front grille
- Sharp LED headlights
- Coupe-like profile and sloping roofline
- Interior Design:
- Driver-centric experience
- Wraparound dashboard
- Intuitive center console layout
- Soft-touch materials and ambient lighting
- Cargo Space:
- 14.2 cubic feet of trunk capacity
- 60/40 split-folding rear seats
- Performance:
- 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque
- Optional sporty N-Line variant with turbocharged engine and sport-tuned suspension
- Fuel Efficiency:
- EPA-estimated 33 mpg city and 41 mpg highway
- Hybrid variant available for improved fuel economy
- Safety:
- Standard advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention monitoring
- Optional features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control
- Trim Levels:
- SE, SEL, N-Line, Limited, and Hybrid
- Pricing:
- Starts at $19,850 for the base SE trim
2023 Kia Forte
- Exterior Design:
- Understated and elegant styling
- Smooth, flowing lines
- Signature “tiger-nose” grille
- Modern LED lighting
- Interior Design:
- Minimalist and clean design
- Horizontally oriented dashboard
- Easy-to-use controls
- High-quality materials
- Cargo Space:
- 15.3 cubic feet of trunk capacity
- 60/40 split-folding rear seats
- Performance:
- 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque
- Optional sporty GT variant with turbocharged engine and sport-tuned suspension
- Fuel Efficiency:
- EPA-estimated 33 mpg city and 41 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Standard advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention monitoring
- Optional features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control
- Trim Levels:
- FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT
- Pricing:
- Starts at $19,090 for the base FE trim
