2023 Kia Forte vs. 2023 Subaru Impreza

Compact sedans offer a striking balance of value and capability, and the best of them are probably more luxurious and refined than they were the last time you went car shopping. The Kia Forte is one of the most stylish and makes a strong financial case for itself with a fantastic warranty. The Subaru Impreza offers standard all-wheel drive (AWD), making it a solid choice where snow is often in the forecast. This comparison should help you decide which one is right for you.

2023 Kia Forte

Kia has made a name for itself with chic styling, fair prices, and a warranty that means few surprises in your budget for a long time. The 2023 Forte is a jack-of-all-trades with respectable performance, an excellent available technology suite, and a $19,490 starting price (plus $1,095 for delivery).

2023 Kia Forte Highlights

Crisp, up-to-date styling: Not every compact car looks this good. The Forte makes a great first impression with a sleek exterior. It works more magic from there, with one of the most contemporary cabins in the class.

Available turbo power: Plenty of compact sedans hover around 150-160 horsepower. That’s enough to get the job done around town. But if you want more power, Subaru can’t help you in this price range. Kia dealers also have 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder-equipped Fortes on the lot, good for 201 horsepower.

Excellent warranty: Kia’s 10-year powertrain warranty means that if you buy one today, you’ll likely avoid major repair bills for a decade. That peace of mind is hard to beat, and Subaru can’t match it.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Forte models for sale near you.

2023 Subaru Impreza 

Subaru has a devoted following in cold-weather states, where its standard AWD system keeps the forecast from pinning you at home. The 2023 Impreza, which also boasts excellent safety scores, is the least expensive way to get it. But it’s an aging platform — Subaru will bring out an all-new Impreza for 2024. The Impreza starts at $19,795 (plus a $1,020 destination fee).

2023 Subaru Impreza Highlights

Standard AWD: The best reason to buy a Subaru never seems to change. The brand’s Symmetrical AWD system gives it all-weather capability. Combined with a flat “boxer” 4-cylinder engine that keeps the weight low, it gives the Impreza a stable, planted feel on a dry road, too.

Five-star safety: The Impreza earned the highest possible score — 5 stars — in government safety tests. That bests the Forte’s 4-Star rating.

Hatchback variant: It’s hard to beat the flexibility of a hatchback. Lowering the seats in a 5-door allows you to haul large cargo, even in a small car. Subaru still offers the Impreza in a handsome hatchback model. Curiously, Kia sells a hatchback Forte in most countries, but it’s not available in the U.S.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Impreza models for sale near you.

Similarities

New car prices are creeping up, but the Forte and Impreza are still offered with a sticker price of less than $20,000. They’re also two of the last compact cars to offer manual transmissions — a plus for those of us who prefer that kind of control. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard in both.

Conclusion

The Kia Forte and Subaru Impreza are both great choices. The Forte has more up-to-date styling inside and out, and its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty should earn it a test drive. The Subaru Impreza doesn’t make the same kind of first impression, but AWD and a hatchback option make it a better choice in some situations. The right choice comes down to your own priorities and how you expect to use your next car.