2017 Kia Forte vs Hyundai Elantra Comparison

2017 Kia Forte vs 2017 Hyundai Elantra

Serving St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Largo

Once merely economical machines, compact cars are now rather sophisticated in style, amenities, and interior space. Two of the best examples of such orientation are the Kia Forte and the Hyundai Elantra, which have consistently been among the top entries in the compact car segment. The Forte, which made its debut in the North American market in 2010, has had a shorter period of time than the Elantra to appeal to a wide range of buyers by continuously being refined, year after year. The 2017 model year is particularly significant for both nameplates; the 2017 Kia Forte has a mid-cycle update in its second generation of production, while the 2017 Hyundai Elantra is completely redesigned for its sixth generation in the United States. Ultimately, with the rejuvenation of both vehicles, the Forte has the edge over the Elantra for three reasons.

More Body Styles

First, there’s the choice of body styles. Most compact cars are available as just a four-door sedan. The Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra, however, ignore such tradition. Indeed, the 2017 Forte is not only available as a four-door sedan, but also as a sporty two-door coupe and a more spacious five-door hatchback. The Hyundai Elantra, on the other hand, is more traditional, sticking with the sedan and hatchback. So, if you want a coupe, the Elantra would not be able to provide that.

Reliability

Second, there’s the issue of projected reliability. People want to have an idea of whether the vehicles they purchase will provide several years of services with little to no major repairs. To this end, J.D. Power conducts an Initial Quality Study, which scores each ride on a 1-to-5 Power Circle scale based on reported issues by owners during the first 90 days of ownership. The Kia Forte holds on to a near-perfect 4.5/5 Power Circle rating, which makes it among the best compact cars you can get in terms of predicted reliability. On the other hand, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra does not have a Power Circle rating at all. Thus it’s harder to gauge how reliable the vehicle can be over the course of ownership, like you can with the 2017 Kia Forte.

Technology Features

Lastly, automotive writers are particularly impressed with the high level of usability of the 2017 Kia Forte infotainment system. Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone calling and audio streaming, controls mounted on the steering wheel, and a SiriusXM satellite radio subscription—with the option of adding a 4.3-inch touchscreen audio display—are standard. Kia gives you the option of upgrading with a 7-inch color touchscreen display, two door-mounted tweeter speakers for crisp audio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for controlling the infotainment system with your smartphone, HD Radio, and voice-command navigation with SiriusXM Traffic.

Ready to try out the 2017 Kia Forte? With a sterling reputation for customer service in the St. Petersburg area—as evidenced by aggregated reviews on Google, Edmunds.com, and DealerRater.com—our Kia dealership is the ideal place to come to for your next car purchase. Call us today to schedule an appointment to test drive the 2017 Kia Forte or any other new Kia models we have available for sale or lease near Clearwater and Largo.

* MPG: Based on EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and your vehicle’s condition.
** Starting price is manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). MSRP excludes destination and handling charges, taxes, title, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer and may