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2023 Kia Forte vs 2023 Honda Civic

Side-by-side EPA, NHTSA, and recall data. Winners highlighted in green when one car clearly leads.

Quick read
  • Best highway MPG goes to the 2023 Kia Forte at 41 MPG.
  • Top NHTSA overall safety rating (5 stars) is the 2023 Honda Civic.
  • Best rollover safety (5 stars) is the 2023 Honda Civic.
Vehicle comparison: EPA fuel economy, NHTSA safety, recalls
 
Car 1
2023 Kia Forte
Car 2
2023 Honda Civic

Engine & efficiency

Cylinders44
Displacement2L1.5L
DriveFront-Wheel DriveFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel typeRegular GasolineRegular Gasoline

EPA fuel economy

City MPG3031
Highway MPG4138
Combined MPG3434
Annual fuel cost (EPA)$2000$2000
CO2 tailpipe261g/mi260g/mi

NHTSA safety ratings

Overall4/ 55/ 5
Frontal crash4/ 54/ 5
Side crash5/ 55/ 5
Rollover4/ 55/ 5
Stability controlStandardStandard

Recalls, complaints, investigations

Recalls (NHTSA)34
Complaints filed55252
Open investigations02
2023 Kia Forte recalls
  1. STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front left steering knuckle may crack, which can result in a loss of steering control.
  2. SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
  3. SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
2023 Honda Civic recalls
  1. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
    Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel.
  2. STEERING:RACK AND PINION
    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Civic 4-door and Civic 5-door vehicles that received a replacement power steering rack as part of a service repair. The steering rack may have been incorrectly assembled, which can allow the tire to chafe against the lower suspension or tie rod end, possibly resulting in tire damage.
  3. STEERING
    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
  4. + 1 more on file at NHTSA.

Sources: US DOT NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov) for safety ratings, recalls, and complaints. US EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov for engine, fuel economy, and emissions data. Both are free public datasets, updated by the federal agencies that own them.

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Real listings, four marketplaces

Shop real 2023 Honda Civic listings

These links open a pre-filtered search on each marketplace. Compare prices and inventory in one tab each, then come back. The verdict above tells you what to ask the seller before you commit.

Outbound links may pay MotorJudge a commission via affiliate networks. Prices, availability, and dealer policies live on each marketplace. We do not control their inventory.

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