What remains of the compact sedan class has never been better.
The Forte may have stepped over the Hyundai Elantra as the best budget buy in the segment, and it has the roominess matched only by the Honda Civic, which gets redesigned for 2022.
Toyota made waves with the Corolla Hybrid, which tops even the Elantra Hybrid for efficiency.
The Mazda 3 retains its sporty character in sedan and hatchback versions, but the new turbo-4 prices it out of the competition.
Easy to overlook, the Jetta remains a competent if underwhelming compact, except for the fun GLI.
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 2021 Kia ForteGet Your Price |  2021 Honda Civic |  2021 Hyundai Elantra |  2021 Mazda MAZDA3#8 in Compact Cars Get Your Price |  2021 Toyota Corolla |  2021 Volkswagen Jetta#22 in Compact Cars Get Your Price |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2021 Kia Forte is a value-packed compact sedan, one that’s a half-step behind the class leaders. |
The 2021 Honda Civic doesn’t let social responsibility get in the way of a good time. |
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has big style, big available tech, and big range from a hybrid powertrain. |
The 2021 Mazda 3 straddles the mainstream and upscale markets with a quality cabin, power that ranges from pedestrian to plentiful, and available all-wheel drive. |
With the 2021 Corolla, Toyota has almost excised all the bland from its diet. |
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is a no-frills compact with good value. Saving money never goes out of style. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $17,890 | $21,250 | $19,650 | $20,650 | $20,025 | $18,995 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 25 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 52 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 28 MPG City / 52 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Midsize Cars | Large Cars | Midsize Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| FE Manual | LX CVT | SE IVT SULEV *Ltd Avail* | 2.0 FWD | L CVT (SE) | S Manual |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Hatchback | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual w/OD | CVT w/OD | CVT w/OD | Automatic w/OD | CVT w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2021 Kia Forte vs. 2021 Honda Civic | 2021 Kia Forte vs. 2021 Hyundai Elantra | 2021 Kia Forte vs. 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 | 2021 Kia Forte vs. 2021 Toyota Corolla | 2021 Kia Forte vs. 2021 Volkswagen Jetta | |
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