2021 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2021 Hyundai Elantra vs Kia Forte
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,257 a year to fuel (37 MPG), versus $1,329 for the 2021 Kia Forte (35 MPG). That's roughly $72 a year, or about $359 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Hyundai Elantra
- Kia Forte
Side by side
| Hyundai Elantra | Kia Forte | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,257 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,329 |
| 37 MPG | Combined efficiency | 35 MPG |
| 33 MPG | City | 31 MPG |
| 43 MPG | Highway | 41 MPG |
| 99 cu ft | Passenger volume | 96 cu ft |
| 14 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 244 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 256 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 8/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| CVT | Transmission | CVT |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Hyundai Elantra vs Kia Forte across model years
- Hyundai Elantra
- Kia Forte
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Hyundai Elantra has more passenger space (99 vs. 96 cu ft); the Kia Forte has more cargo space (15 vs. 14 cu ft).
Among 54 2021 midsize cars, the Hyundai Elantra ranks 13th and the Kia Forte 14th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra or the 2021 Kia Forte?
Measured by cost to drive, the Hyundai Elantra. The Hyundai Elantra is rated 37 MPG combined and the Kia Forte 35 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Hyundai Elantra vs. the Kia Forte per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,257 for the Hyundai Elantra and $1,329 for the Kia Forte.
Which has more cargo space?
The Kia Forte, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 14 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Hyundai Elantra vs Kia Forte in other years
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