2024 Subaru Impreza vs. 2024 Kia Forte

 

Compact passenger vehicles check most boxes in meeting suburban car owners' transport needs, including daily work commuting in heavy traffic, yet still offer decent cargo space for weekends away.

Our article looks at two relatively affordable options for shoppers in the compact passenger vehicle market.

Continue reading as we examine the 2024 versions of the Japanese Subaru Impreza and South Korean Kia Forte, which should both be on your vehicle shopping shortlist.

2024 Subaru Impreza

The 2024 Subaru Impreza is available as a five-door hatchback configuration only seating five passengers and sports a practical, rugged design that reflects its legendary Subaru all-wheel-drive capabilities.

Recently redesigned, the 2024 Subaru Impreza is available in a lineup of three trim levels: Base, Sport, and a more sporty rally-inspired RS trim.

2024 Kia Forte

The 2024 Kia Forte, on the other hand, is only available as a sporty-looking compact five-seater sedan.

The 2024 Kia sees no significant upgrades from the previous model, with the GT trim playing the role of the sporty type and the entry-level LX soldiers on as the trim with the most agreeable price tag for those on tight budgets.

The full trim lineup consists of LX, LXS, GT Line, and the range-topping sporty GT.

Powertrains

For 2024, the Subaru Impreza is powered by two typically Subaru Boxer flat-four engine options. The Base and mid-level Sport trims feature a 2.0-liter engine that produces 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, respectively.

The sportier RS trim is fitted with a larger 2.5-liter engine that pushes out 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.

All three trims are equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) plus Subaru's standard all-wheel drive that ensures safe and reliable performance in various driving conditions.

The 2024 Kia Forte compact sedan is available with two different engine options. First, a base 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder makes 147 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm and torque of 132 pound-feet, which is sent to the front wheels via the standard Intelligent Variable Transmission.

The more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder that offers up to 201 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 195 pound-feet of torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpm is fitted in both the GT Line and GT trims. The GT is available with either a 7-speed Dual-Clutch Auto Transmission with Paddle Shifters or a six-speed manual transmission.

Drive Mode Select is standard on all trims.

Exterior Design

The latest Subaru Impreza Hatchback wears its redesigned body that shows sharper lines and a more aggressive stance plus plenty of visual enhancements riding on a 105.1 inch wheelbase and offering ground clearance of 5.1 inches.

The Impreza is fitted with LED steering responsive headlights plus daytime running lights, and the upper trims have fog lights.

The Base trim rolls on 16-inch steel wheels with covers, while the Sport and RS trims ride on 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Impreza offers black folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals on Base trims while the Sport, umm, sports body-color mirrors and range-topper RS trim sees Crystal Black Silica-finish on its outside mirrors.

Versatile roof crossbar mounting points are seen on all trims, as well as a sporty-looking standard fitment roof spoiler.

Six modern exterior colors are available for 2024.

The sporty Kia Forte sees its sedan style body riding on a 106.3-inch wheelbase and 5.3 inches of ground clearance.

The modern exterior design features such appointments as 15-inch steel wheels on the bottom LX trim with alloy wheels of 16-inch to 18-inch on the upper trims. Projector Beam Headlights are standard on all trims aside from the GT which gets the LED Headlights treatment.

Daytime running lights are standard with the two top trims getting the LED version. Fog lights are fitted on the GT Line and GT as well as upgraded LED tail lights.

Side view mirrors are either body color or gloss black on upper trims plus a rear spoiler and dual exhaust tips are reserved for the GT spec.

Up to eight exterior paint colors are available for the 2024 Kia Forte, depending on trim choice.

Interior

The Impreza's neat and modern cabin gets manually adjustable front seats with available heated front seats. Base trims get cloth upholstery, the Sport receives cloth upholstery with red contrast stitching, and the top RS trim has cloth upholstery with red accents.

Impreza owners will appreciate the long list of comfort features inclusive, instrument cluster with speedometer and tachometer, 3-spoke steering wheel with integrated audio controls, dual-zone automatic climate control system, power windows and power side mirrors.

Buyers of the RS trim get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle.

A standard Subaru Starlink Dual 7.0-inch Multimedia system or 11.6-inch Subaru Starlink Multimedia Plus system fitted on top trims allows seamless control of the system which offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and standard six or eight speakers.

The Kia features a modern interior with a minimalist design aesthetic and is built with high-quality materials.

Standard interior appointments include, a 4.2-inch color display between the instrument gauges, 6-Way Manual Driver's and Passenger's Seat, Power windows, Day/Night Rearview Mirror, air conditioning or dual-zone climate control, and solar control glass.

Woven cloth seat trim is seen on the LX and LXS, and sport seats with SynTex and cloth seat trim are on the GT Line and GT trims.

The Kia sees fitment of a standard 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen equipped with Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. GT-Line and GT trims feature a larger 10.25-inch display with in-dash navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

The Subaru sports a 4-wheel anti-lock braking system with brake assist, and brake override system plus Subaru's advanced frontal airbag system.

Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance technology is standard fare offering such features as lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, vehicle dynamics control plus plenty more.

Kia's Forte model is standard with dual front advanced airbags, dual front side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags plus the Kia Drive Wise suite of safety features that offer forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot collision warning, and more.

Find Your 2024 Subaru Impreza at Granite Subaru

Contact the Granite Subaru Dealership in Hudson, NH, to discover more about the impressively capable and versatile 2024 Subaru Impreza hatchback.

Test drive this compact hatchback to feel Subaru's legendary driving experience and allow our dedicated Subaru team to help you purchase your next Subaru.