Compact Car

2023 Kia Forte vs. 2023 Honda Civic Comparison

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.

2023 Kia Forte

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 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, 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.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Forte models for sale near you

2023 Honda Civic 

2022 Honda Civic sedan in red.

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.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Civic models for sale near you

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.

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