Kia Forte vs Volkswagen Jetta
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Jetta
Overview
| Spec | Kia ForteLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | S |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2024 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia ForteLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $19,990 (best) | $23,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $10,399 | $7,493 (best) |
| Median listing price | $19,988 (best) | $23,484 |
| Highest listing price | $24,188 (best) | $30,554 |
| For sale now | 42 | 80 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia ForteLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 34 MPG | 34 MPG |
| City MPG | 30 MPG (best) | 29 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 41 MPG (best) | 40 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 14 gal (best) | 13.2 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Kia ForteLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 158 hp (best) |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia ForteLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.3 cu ft (best) | 14.1 cu ft |
| Payload | 884 lbs | 915 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 2,908 lbs (best) | 2,998 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in | 5.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in (best) | 105.7 in |
| Length | 182.7 in | 186.5 in (best) |
| Width | 70.9 in (best) | 70.8 in |
| Height | 56.5 in | 57.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia ForteLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 4 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 3 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported (best) | 1 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Kia Forte | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $19,990 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $23,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | LXS $20,490 MSRP | Sport $25,305 MSRP |
| 3 | GT-Line $22,490 MSRP | SE $26,985 MSRP |
| 4 | GT $24,690 MSRP | SEL $29,995 MSRP |
| 5 | GT $25,390 MSRP | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 6 | — | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
Live inventory
Kia Forte42 for sale
See all
Certified2023 Kia Forte
LXS
Snow White Pearl•black29,475 mi$17,828Tustin Kia
Tustin, CA
Used2023 Kia Forte
GT
Sporty Blue•Black76,182 mi$18,986Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Certified2024 Kia Forte
GT-Line
Blue•Black48,257 mi$21,985Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
Certified2023 Kia Forte
LXS
Snow White Pearl•Black22,779 mi$17,200Plaza Auto Mall
Brooklyn, NY
Used2024 Kia Forte
LXS
Deep Sea Blue•Black18,340 mi$20,498Walla Walla Toyota
Walla Walla, WA
Used2023 Kia Forte
GT-Line
Sporty Blue•Black16,055 mi$22,027Classic Nissan Williamsburg
Williamsburg, VA
Volkswagen Jetta80 for sale
See all
Used2024 Volkswagen Jetta
SE
Rising Blue Metallic58,656 mi$20,475Tadd Jenkins Auto Sales Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls, ID
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T S
Platinum Gray Metallic•Black15 mi$24,363Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T S
Platinum Gray Metallic•Black15 mi$24,549Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Deep Black Pearl•Black12 mi$26,094Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Pure White•Black15 mi$26,094Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Platinum Gray Metallic•Titan Black13 mi$26,061Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Kia Forte vs Volkswagen Jetta FAQ
- Which is better: 2024 Kia Forte or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2024 Kia Forte vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2024 Kia Forte or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2024 Kia Forte starts lower at $19,990. Live Kia Forte listings start at $10,399. Live Volkswagen Jetta listings start at $7,493.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2024 Kia Forte or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2024 Kia Forte leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (19,990).
- Which has better horsepower: 2024 Kia Forte or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on horsepower in this comparison (228).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2024 Kia Forte vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Forte (4/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Jetta (5/5 NHTSA overall).