Compare the2022 Hyundai AccentVS 2021 Kia Forte

Compared to metal, the Accent’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 Accent 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, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes and daytime running lights.

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

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 Hyundai Accent is safer than the Kia Forte:

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

The Accent’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Forte’s (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Accent for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Forte.

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 Accent’s reliability 34 points higher than the Forte.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 9 places higher in reliability than Kia.

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

The Accent stops shorter than the Forte:

For better maneuverability, the Accent’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Forte’s (33.5 feet vs. 34.8 feet).

The Accent is 10.1 inches shorter than the Forte, making the Accent easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Accent’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.

Insurance will cost less for the Accent owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Accent with a number “1” insurance rate while the Forte is rated higher at a number “3” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Accent is less expensive to operate than the Forte because typical repairs cost much less on the Accent than the Forte, including $77 less for a water pump, $19 less for front brake pads, $53 less for front struts, $48 less for a timing belt/chain and $256 less for a power steering pump.