Kia Forte vs Hyundai Elantra GT

Highways are increasingly full of crossovers and small SUVs, but not too long ago sedans ruled the road. The simple three-box design made for a vehicle that was, and still is, an effective daily driver. It has enough trunk space for several bags and room for 4 (or even 5) passengers. They are often more fuel-efficient than their heavier SUV counterparts and almost always less expensive.

Maybe this explains why Kia’s best-selling vehicle last year wasn’t any of its SUVs or crossovers. It was the Forte, which has been completely redesigned for 2019.

Even when limited to small cars, the Forte's competition is quite stiff. But the Honda Civic has been generally heralded as the gold standard. The Civic is just a bit larger and a bit more upscale than other cars in its segment, but its higher price tag reflects that status.

The Forte previously operated only in the “value” end of this spectrum, with a dash of sporty styling thrown in (but generally lacking the performance to back it up). The new Forte is certainly sportier and more upscale, yet it still keeps value as one of its core principles. After a week driving it, we can say it is absolutely one of the standout small cars of this year, but does it have the goods to outgun the Civic?

If you’re looking for a reliable car for daily transportation, a sedan may seem like the obvious choice. As you've probably noticed, the conventional four-door has been losing ground in recent years, supplanted by small crossover SUVs. However, if you’re looking for a third option as a daily driver, a hatchback could be the ideal route.

Hatchbacks provide more usable cargo space than sedans, but retain the sporty driving dynamics and fuel efficiency you lose with a crossover. Hatchbacks also cost less than your typical crossover SUV. A hatchback like the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT exists in that perfect sweet spot of enjoyability, affordability, and practicality.

Hyundai has done hatchbacks before, starting with many of its early entries in the North American market. More recently, Hyundai introduced the hip Veloster, as well as a hatchback version of the previous-generation Elantra, also called the Elantra GT.

But that Elantra GT felt more like an afterthought, born out of convenience and a need to expand the lineup. It didn’t feel fully developed and went largely unnoticed. But the new 2018 Elantra GT is a standout small car, and it's perfectly suited to compete with the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus hatch, and Subaru Impreza wagon.