Compare the2022 Toyota Corolla HybridVS 2021 Kia Forte

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/05/05

The Toyota Corolla Hybrid has a standard driver’s knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelt or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Forte doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Corolla Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Forte doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Compared to metal, the Corolla Hybrid’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Kia Forte has a metal gas tank.

Both the Corolla Hybrid and the Forte have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Hybrid is safer than the Kia Forte:

	Corolla Hybrid	Forte
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Hybrid is safer than the Kia Forte:

	Corolla Hybrid	Forte
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	92	153
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	129 G’s	282 G’s
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	286
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	89 G’s
Hip Force	367 lbs.	735 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	239	367
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	623 lbs.	750 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Corolla Hybrid’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Forte runs out after 100,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Forte.

There are over 62 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

The Forte’s redline is at 6800 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Corolla Hybrid has a 4000 RPM redline.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Corolla Hybrid’s reliability 77 points higher than the Forte.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Kia is ranked 15th.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Hybrid gets better mileage than the Forte:

			MPG
Corolla Hybrid
		1.8 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/52 hwy
Forte
	Manual	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/32 hwy
	Auto	FE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/41 hwy
		2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/40 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/35 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Corolla Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Forte doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Corolla Hybrid’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Forte doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Corolla Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Forte (5 to 7). This means the Corolla Hybrid produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Forte every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Toyota Corolla Hybrid comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Forte.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Forte has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

Passenger Space

The Corolla Hybrid has .9 inches more front hip room and .2 inches more rear hip room than the Forte.

Cargo Capacity

The Corolla Hybrid’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Forte FE’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

Ergonomics

The Corolla Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Forte has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Corolla Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Forte’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Forte can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Economic Advantages

The Corolla Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Corolla Hybrid will retain 47.9% of its original price after five years, while the Forte only retains 44.13% to 44.78%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Corolla Hybrid will be $561 to $5751 less than for the Kia Forte.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Corolla Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Kia Forte isn't recommended.