2015 head-to-head · Compact Car
2015 Kia Forte vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.70/gal diesel fuel, the most efficient 2015 Kia Forte (30 MPG) costs about $1,550 a year to fuel and the 2015 Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel (35 MPG) about $1,586.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Kia Forte
- Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel
Side by side
| Kia Forte | Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,550 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,586 |
| 30 MPG | Combined efficiency | 35 MPG |
| 26 MPG | City | 31 MPG |
| 37 MPG | Highway | 41 MPG |
| 96 cu ft | Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| 14 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 294 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 292 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 8/10 |
| 8/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 8/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Diesel |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Diesel |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Kia Forte vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel across model years
- Kia Forte
- Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Kia Forte has more passenger space (96 vs. 93 cu ft); the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel has more cargo space (16 vs. 14 cu ft).
Among 52 2015 compact cars, the Kia Forte ranks 20th and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel 22nd for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Kia Forte is a conventional gas model, while the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel is a diesel.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2015 Kia Forte or the 2015 Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Forte. The Kia Forte is rated 30 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel 35 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2015 Kia Forte vs. the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.70/gal diesel fuel, about $1,550 for the Kia Forte and $1,586 for the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel.
Which has more cargo space?
The Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 14 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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