These days, Americans buy far more SUVs than sedans. But we’ll let you in on a secret you learn when you drive almost every vehicle on the market every year: Some of them make the wrong choice. Many people would be happier with a sedan, with its fun-to-drive manners and lower price for the same content.
Compact sedans might offer the best pound-for-pound value in the vehicle market. They provide all the space many drivers need, handle with poise, and are often priced under $25,000. The 2023 Honda Civic and Kia Forte are two of our favorites – and a close look at each will show you that the best choice for you might not be the answer you expect.
Also see: The deadliest—and least deadly—cars, trucks and SUVs
2023 Kia Forte
There are very few vehicles for sale in America in 2023 for under $20,000. The Kia Forte is quietly one of the best. It’s packed with features, stylish, and more affordable than most old stalwarts in the compact class. But it’s not a stripped-down budget model. The top-of-the-line Forte GT surprises with its long content list. Prices start at just $19,690.
2023 Kia Forte highlights
Fantastic value: The base model Forte LX is one of just a handful of new cars with a price tag under $20,000 (though a delivery fee does push it slightly over). Perhaps more impressive, though, is that a top-line Forte GT — boasting SynTex faux-leather sport seats, a turbo engine, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system — starts at just $24,390.
Sporty GT model: Kia
000270,
dealers offer the Forte in five trim levels, two of which are tuned for sportier driving. The GT gets a 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GT Manual pairs that same more powerful engine with a 6-speed stick – a rarity in 2023. Honda
HMC,
of course, offers two high-performance versions of the Civic – the Si and the track-ready Type R. But both are far more expensive.
Longer warranties: Kia’s warranty protects buyers over the long run more than Honda’s does. The Forte’s 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty are much longer than the Civic’s 3-year/36,000-mile and 5-year/60,000-mile plans.
Read: Are we witnessing the demise of the affordable car? Automobile makers have all but abandoned the budget market.
2023 Honda Civic
Honda redesigned the Civic in full for 2022, so it hasn’t needed a significant update for 2023. Today’s Civic looks sophisticated for the affordable compact car class. Advanced technologies like a system that takes over some of the work of driving in traffic jams could convince you you’re in something more expensive, too. Prices start at $23,750.
2023 Honda Civic highlights
Sophistication inside and out: A 2022 redesign made the Civic arguably the best-looking car in its class. It has lines that might call to mind entry-level European luxury cars. Inside, a one-of-a-kind look relies on interesting honeycomb trim on the dashboard and a high-mounted screen that keeps your eyes on the road even when you check the turn-by-turn directions.
Traffic Jam Assist: Honda’s Traffic Jam Assist system can accelerate, brake, and turn to keep up with traffic below 45 mph. You must keep your hands on the wheel and always be ready to take over. But we find it a huge fatigue-saver. It’s standard on every Civic.
Sedan and hatchback body styles: Most automakers have dropped small hatchbacks from their lineups in 2023. That’s a shame – hatchbacks balance SUV-like cargo space with fun sedan handling. Honda still offers a Civic hatchback. Kia no longer sells a Forte hatchback in the U.S.
Read the full review: The 2023 Honda Civic: sophisticated style, tasteful interior and plenty of performance options, plus the ferocious type R is back
Similarities
Four-cylinder engines with optional turbocharged upgrades, automatic or manual transmission choices, and similar passenger space.
Conclusion
The 2023 Kia Forte and Honda Civic are both capable compact cars with lots of modern tech features. You might be happy with either one.
The Forte, however, makes a stronger value argument. Its lower price and longer warranty save you money now and later. Its sporty variants aren’t much pricier than its more sedate commuter varieties.
The Civic looks more sophisticated and ships with impressive driver assistance technology, even in its base model. And you can still get it as a hatchback, which has unique appeal to some shoppers.
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Specs
| 2023 Kia Forte | 2023 Honda Civic | |
| Starting Price | $19,960 | $23,750 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 34 mpg (30 city/41 hwy) | 35 mpg (31 city/40 hwy) |
| Also Available | 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder; 6-spd manual; 7-spd dual-clutch automatic | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder; 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder; 6-spd manual |
| Specs | ||
| Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/30,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/ 60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 4 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 inches | 107.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 182.7 inches | 184.0 inches |
| Width | 70.9 inches | 70.9 inches |
| Height | 56.5 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 36.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.8 inches | 39.3 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 37.5 inches | 37.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.2 inches | 42.3 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 35.7 inches | 37.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.1 inches | 57.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.3 inches | 56.0 inches |
| EPA Passenger Volume | 96.0 cubic feet | 99.0 cubic feet |
| EPA Cargo Volume | 15.3 cubic feet | 14.8 cubic feet |
This story originally ran on KBB.com.
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