2023 Kia Forte vs. 2023 Toyota Corolla Comparison

Compact sedans offer an appealing blend of low price, practical space, and handling that can be more fun than what you’ll find on larger cars. The 2023 Toyota Corolla has one of the oldest names in the business. The Corolla is the best-selling nameplate in history because it has endured so long. The 2023 Kia Forte challenges it with aggressive styling and makes a convincing financial case for itself, too.

This comparison should help you decide which one is right for you.

2023 Kia Forte

The 2023 Kia Forte is a jack-of-all-trades compact sedan that sets itself apart from the crowd with sharp styling. It’s one of the few cars still available with a manual transmission, available on its sporty GT trim. It starts at $19,490, plus a mandatory $1,095 destination charge.

Kia Forte Highlights

Lower starting price: The Forte’s starting price is more than $2,000 below that of the Corolla, which also goes for certain trims. A higher trim level, Forte GT, starts more than $2,000 below a top-of-the-line Corolla XSE. At this price level, that’s big savings.

Available 6-speed stick: Most of the automotive industry has abandoned the third pedal. Toyota just dropped its manual option for the 2023 model year. Kia understands that some of us still prefer to feel that visceral connection to the car and offers the sporty Forte GT with a 6-speed.

More space for passengers and cargo:  The Forte offers more rear-seat head-, leg-, and shoulder room than the Corolla and almost 20% more trunk space. The two cars share almost identical length, width, and wheelbase. But the Forte lets you use a lot more of that space.

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

2023 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is one of the oldest and most proven cars on the market, with a history of more than 50 years of reliability. Today’s Corolla is a flexible machine, available in sedan or hatchback, gas or hybrid power, and with optional all-wheel drive (AWD); the 2023 Corolla starts at $21,550, plus $1,095 to deliver.

Toyota Corolla Highlights

Strong safety scores: The Corolla earns 5 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Note that these are scores for the 2022 model, but there have been few mechanical changes, so we expect the 2023 to earn the same scores. Corollas are nothing if not predictable.

Optional hybrid powertrain, hatchback model: Corolla buyers have the option of a hatchback body style starting at $22,965. Hatchbacks offer great utility and storage space, but they’re growing rare. Kia offers a great Forte5 hatchback in neighboring Canada, but not here in the States.

Legendary resale value: The Corolla is one of the automotive world’s most known quantities, and its famous reliability has consistently led to some of the market’s strongest resale values.

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

Similarities

The Forte and Corolla are both compact 4-door sedans with 4-cylinder engines and standard continuously variable transmissions (CVT). Both offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard equipment.

Conclusion

We can make a strong financial argument for either the 2023 Kia Forte or the 2023 Toyota Corolla — the Corolla with its resale value and the Forte with its 10-year powertrain warranty. But the Forte is more affordable at every level and still available with an engaging manual transmission. Corolla buyers can choose a hybrid option and even an AWD hybrid, but they’ll have to spend more to get it.

Specs