Will car prices ever go down? Finding a reliable, stylish, feature-packed sedan under $25,000 feels like an impossible task these days. Thankfully, these two Korean cars are some of the best budget cars for 2024 that offer excellent bang for the buck. But when comparing the Kia Forte Vs. Hyundai Elantra, which is the best small sedan?
We’re waging a war between the 2024 Hyundai Elantra and the 2024 Kia Forte to find out which is the best sedan under $25,000. Though they’re built on the same platform and use the same engine, one of them deserves your hard-earned cash. Given the price cap, we’re omitting the Kia Forte GT Manual trim and the top two Elantra trims, which all cost more.
In order to bring you the most up-to-date and accurate comparison possible, we’ve relied on information sourced from Hyundai and Kia. For information regarding our ranking and grading procedures, please refer to our
methodology policy
.
Exterior Design: Two Stylish Sedans
As shallow as it may sound, looks do matter. You could find the fastest or most reliable car, but none of that will matter if it’s ugly. That’s why choosing between the Elantra Vs. the Forte is so difficult.
The Elantra seems to chase a younger audience, with razor-sharp lines, and an exciting cascading grille. Sharp LED headlights and dynamic lines along the side make it look sporty, giving it a presence that punches well above its price class. At the rear, a full-width LED light bar connects the taillights, creating a high-tech look and emphasizing its wide body.
In contrast, the Kia Forte looks more subtle, like a traditional sedan. It features the brand’s signature tiger-nose grille, which is more tame than the Elantra, sporty swept-back headlights, and an elegant side profile. That could change when the 2025 Kia K4 replaces the Forte.
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Performance And Capability: Only One Turbocharged Option Under $25k
Hyundai
When it comes to performance, again, both sedans share a standard 2.0L four-cylinder engine paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). This combination offers smooth acceleration and helps maximize fuel efficiency, but neither car is particularly quick. In a test by Car and Driver, the Forte needed 8.2 seconds to reach 60 mph, while the Elantra was marginally quicker at 8.1 seconds.
The Kia has one major advantage at under $25k, though. It’s the only one of the two to offer a turbocharged engine at this price point. Available on the GT for $24,690, this 1.6-liter turbo-four produces 201 hp and is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. To get the turbocharged Elantra N Line with comparable performance, you need to spend $28,465.
The Kia offers more performance at a lower price, so we’d give the edge to it.
Fuel Economy: Base Elantra Is More Frugal
For the Kia Forte, the LX is the most efficient trim, with a rating of 34 mpg combined. The cheapest Hyundai Elantra, meanwhile, is the SE trim, which is also the most efficient. It manages 36 mpg combined. While both models are equally efficient on the highway, the Elantra uses less gas in city driving. Overall, then, the Elantra edges ahead of the Forte, but it’s a close one.
Most Fuel-Efficient Trims
Hyundai Elantra SE
Kia Forte LE
32/41/36 mpg city/highway/combined
30/41/34 mpg city/highway/combined
Interior Design And Technology: Feature-Packed Cabins
Hyundai is leading the way when it comes to new car tech, and the Elantra opts for a sleek, uncluttered layout. The SE has an eight-inch touchscreen, while the SEL gets a 10.25-inch version.
Further modernizing the cabin, the crisp digital instrument display (10.25 inches on the SEL) can be customized to show important driving information. A smaller 4.2-inch display is nestled in the instrument cluster of the base model. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is curiously standard on the SE, while the more expensive SEL gets a wired version.
Sticking with tradition, the Kia Forte has clearly defined sections for infotainment and climate control. A prominent eight-inch touchscreen display sits on the dashboard (LX and LXS), but it’s paired with physical buttons and knobs for easy access to common controls. Upper trims have a 10.25-inch touchscreen interface. The instrument cluster is also analog, complete with a small 4.2-inch display for specific information.
Interior Room And Cargo Capacity: Mere Inches Separate Them
Hyundai
Seating comfort is a high point in the Elantra, with supportive and well-bolstered front seats. Both trims under $25k have cloth upholstery. Passengers will appreciate the generous legroom all round, and occupants up front will enjoy more headroom than the Forte.
Seating in the Forte is equally comfortable, with the benefit of increased headroom for rear passengers, making it feel less claustrophobic. However, there’s very little in it between the two. The Kia does have the edge with its GT-Line and GT trims, though, as both have nicer sport seats with a combination of cloth and synthetic leather.
Cargo Space Comparison
Both these sedans have fairly generous trunks. However, in terms of ultimate volume, it’s the Forte that has the edge.
Vehicle
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Forte
Cargo volume
14.2 cu-ft
15.3 cu-ft
Reliability: Kia Wins On Quality But Hyundai Has Better Warranty
Hyundai and Kia have made great strides in reliability over the years, with both brands now known for producing dependable vehicles and Kia being a trusted name for dependability. While long-term reliability data for the 2024 models isn’t available yet, J.D. Power scores show a clear winner.
The 2024 Hyundai Elantra scores a strong 81 for quality and reliability, but the Forte appears the best choice at 87 – quite a difference for almost identical cars. This reliability is backed up by generous manufacturer warranties, highlighting the confidence both manufacturers have in their vehicles and providing invaluable peace of mind for buyers. However, Hyundai bests its rival with inclusive scheduled maintenance, and the Elantra has no mileage limit for its roadside assistance.
Warranty Comparison: Hyundai Elantra Vs. Kia Forte
Vehicle
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Forte
Limited Warranty
5 Years / 60,000 Miles
5 Years / 60,000 Miles
Powertrain Warranty
10 Years / 100,000 Miles
10 Years / 100,000 Miles
Corrosion Warranty
7 Years / Unlimited Miles
5 Years / 100,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance
5 Years / Unlimited Miles
5 Years / 60,000 Miles
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance
3 Years / 36,000 Miles
N/A
Pricing Comparison: The Deciding Factor?
Now for the crucial question: which one of these cars is the best value in the sub-$25k category? Well, the Kia Forte starts at a slightly lower price point and squeezes more trim levels within this budget. There’s the entry-level LX, followed by the LXS, GT-Line, and GT. Only the GT Manual costs more than $25k. Crucially, the Forte GT is the only model here with a turbocharged engine.
The more expensive Elantra has a harder time opening up its range at this price, with just two trims available: SE and SEL. Regardless, both models provide excellent value for money, with even the base trims offering a solid array of features.
Trim Pricing Comparison (Under $25k)
Kia Forte
Hyundai Elantra
Trim
Price
Trim
Price
LX
$19,990
SE
$21,625
LXS
$20,490
SEL
$23,575
GT-Line
$22,490
GT
$24,690
Hyundai Elantra Vs. Kia Forte: We Have A Winner
For all their similarities, these two compact sedans are very different. Both offer great performance, a plethora of standard equipment, and respectable cargo space. There’s a lot to love about Hyundai’s daring design and driver-focused interior, and the comprehensive warranty is commendable.
In spite of that, the Kia Forte has more going for it with elegant styling, athletic performance, frugal fuel economy and reliability at a very affordable price. It’s also the only model here that offers a more potent turbocharged engine at under $25k. While the Elantra is a competent sedan and a sensible choice if you prefer its styling or the Hyundai brand, the overall package of the Kia Forte takes it.