2019 Hyundai Elantra vs 2019 Kia Forte
Two compact cars, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2019 Hyundai
Elantra
6/10
Great value and surprisingly fun for a Nu engine SEL, but the 2.0L piston oil ring recall is a real problem, not paperwork CYA.
VS
2019 Kia
Forte
6/10
Great value on paper, but engine stall/no-start complaints and a DCT that some owners hate mean you inspect hard before you sign.
Dead heat: both score 6/10. The tiebreaker is which specific car you find.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Hyundai Elantra |
Kia Forte |
| Known failure points | 5 | 6 |
| NHTSA complaints | 246 | 146 |
| Safety recalls | 1 | 2 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 58 | 58 |
| Cheap to own | 62 | 62 |
| Fun factor | 48 | 45 |
| Holds value | 55 | 50 |
| Enthusiast cred | 22 | 25 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2019 Hyundai Elantra
2.0L Nu MPI piston oil ring wear causing engine knock, oil consumption, and in worst cases connecting rod failure
$0–$6,5000k–60k mi
2019 Kia Forte
Rare but documented catastrophic engine failure/seizure (mirrors larger Theta II-family Kia engine issues, though Forte uses Nu engine)
$4,500–$7,00060k–110k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2019 Hyundai Elantra
2019 Elantra Sport with the 1.6T Gamma engine and 6-speed manual (or well-maintained 7DCT) — dodges the recalled 2.0L entirely, gets independent rear suspension, and is legitimately fun for the class.
✅ 2019 Kia Forte
2019 Forte EX or LX with the base 2.0L Nu engine and 6-speed manual (or the IVT continuously-variable auto, not the 7-speed DCT) — simplest, cheapest, most reliable drivetrain combo.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.