2016 head-to-head · Compact Car
2016 Kia Forte vs Volkswagen Jetta
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,409 a year to fuel (33 MPG), versus $1,550 for the 2016 Kia Forte (30 MPG). That's roughly $141 a year, or about $705 over five years.
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 Jetta
Side by side
| Kia Forte | Volkswagen Jetta | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,550 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,409 |
| 30 MPG | Combined efficiency | 33 MPG |
| 26 MPG | City | 28 MPG |
| 37 MPG | Highway | 40 MPG |
| 96 cu ft | Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| 14 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 294 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 276 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 8/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 8/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| 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 Jetta across model years
- Kia Forte
- Volkswagen Jetta
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 Volkswagen Jetta has more cargo space (16 vs. 14 cu ft).
Among 51 2016 compact cars, the Kia Forte ranks 23rd and the Volkswagen Jetta 12th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 Kia Forte or the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta?
Measured by cost to drive, the Volkswagen Jetta. The Kia Forte is rated 30 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Jetta 33 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 Kia Forte vs. the Volkswagen Jetta per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,550 for the Kia Forte and $1,409 for the Volkswagen Jetta.
Which has more cargo space?
The Volkswagen Jetta, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 14 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Kia Forte vs Volkswagen Jetta in other years
More 2016 comparisons
Kia Forte vs…
Or compare the 2016 Kia Forte with anything else: