2018 Ford Focus vs. 2018 Kia Forte Full Comparison of Specs, Features, and Owner Reviews
2018 Ford Focus
Year
2018
Trim
S
2018 Kia Forte
Year
2018
Trim
LX
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive
Front Wheel Drive
Engine
2.0L I
2.0L I4 DOHC D
Number of cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
Flex Fuel Capability
Gasoline Fuel
Fuel Capacity
12.4 gal.
13.2 gal.
Torque
146 ft. lbs.
132 ft. lbs.
Horsepower
160 hp.
147 hp.
MPG (City/Hwy)
26/38
29/37
Transmission
5 Speed Auto - Shift Manual w/OD
6 Speed Automatic w/OD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Cargo Capacity
13.2 cu. ft.
14.9 cu. ft.
Curb Weight
2935 lbs. - 2959 lbs.
2855 lbs.
Tires
P195/65HR15
P195/65HR15 - P205/55HR16
Front Head Room
38.3"
39.1"
Front Leg Room
41.9"
42.2"
Wheelbase
104.3"
106.3"
Length
178.5"
179.5"
Width
71.8"
70.1"
Height
57.7"
56.3"
Valves per cylinder
4
4
Exterior Photos & Dimensions
2018 Ford Focus
2018 Kia Forte
Exterior Features
2018 Ford Focus
Trim
S
2018 Kia Forte
Trim
LX
Steel Spare Wheel
Standard
Not Available
Wheels: 15" x 6.0" Steel w/Full Wheel Covers
Not Available
Standard
Compact Spare Tire Mounted Inside Under Cargo
Standard
Not Available
Tires: P195/65R15
Not Available
Standard
Wheels: 15" Steel w/Silver-Painted Cover
Standard
Not Available
Tire Mobility Kit
Not Available
Standard
Tires: 195/65R15
Standard
Not Available
Body-Colored Power Heated Side Mirrors w/Manual Folding
Not Available
Standard
Black Power Side Mirrors w/Convex Spotter and Manual Folding
Standard
Not Available
Body-Colored Rear Bumper w/Black Rub Strip/Fascia Accent
Not Available
Standard
Body-Colored Rear Bumper
Standard
Not Available
Black Grille w/Chrome Surround
Not Available
Standard
Body-Colored Front Bumper
Standard
Standard
Body-Colored Door Handles
Not Available
Standard
Black Grille w/Chrome Accents
Standard
Not Available
Black Side Windows Trim
Not Available
Standard
Black Door Handles
Standard
Not Available
Front Windshield -inc: Sun Visor Strip
Not Available
Standard
Fully Galvanized Steel Panels
Standard
Standard
Auto Off Projector Beam Halogen Headlamps w/Delay-Off
Not Available
Standard
Clearcoat Paint
Standard
Standard
Black Side Windows Trim and Black Front Windshield Trim
Standard
Not Available
Light Tinted Glass
Standard
Standard
Variable Intermittent Wipers
Standard
Standard
Auto On/Off Aero-Composite Halogen Headlamps w/Delay-Off
Standard
Not Available
Trunk Rear Cargo Access
Standard
Standard
Fixed Rear Window w/Defroster
Standard
Standard
Exterior Colors
2018 Ford Focus
2018 Kia Forte
Interior Photos, Dimensions & Features
2018 Ford Focus
2018 Kia Forte
Interior Features
2018 Ford Focus
Trim
S
2018 Kia Forte
Trim
LX
60-40 Folding Bench Front Facing Fold Forward Seatback Cloth Rear Seat
Standard
Not Available
Front Bucket Seats -inc: 6-way adjustable driver's seat
Not Available
Standard
Cloth Front Bucket Seats -inc: 6-way manual driver (up/down, fore/aft, recline), 4-way manual passenger (fore/aft, recline) and removable adjustable head restraints (2-way)
Standard
Not Available
60-40 Folding Bench Front Facing Fold Forward Seatback Rear Seat
Not Available
Standard
Seats w/Cloth Back Material
Standard
Standard
Cloth Seat Trim
Not Available
Standard
Manual Adjustable Rear Head Restraints
Standard
Not Available
Manual Adjustable Front Head Restraints and Manual Adjustable Rear Head Restraints
Not Available
Standard
Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
Standard
Standard
6-Way Driver Seat -inc: Manual Recline, Height Adjustment and Fore/Aft Movement
Not Available
Standard
Instrument Panel Bin, Driver / Passenger And Rear Door Bins
Standard
Not Available
4-Way Passenger Seat -inc: Manual Recline and Fore/Aft Movement
Not Available
Standard
Gauges -inc: Speedometer, Odometer, Engine Coolant Temp, Tachometer, Trip Odometer and Trip Computer
Standard
Standard
HVAC -inc: Underseat Ducts
Not Available
Standard
SYNC Communications & Entertainment System -inc: enhanced voice recognition, 911 Assist, 4.2" LCD display in center stack, AppLink, 1 smart charging USB port, and Bluetooth, SYNC AppLink lets you control some of your favorite compatible mobile apps w/your voice, It is compatible w/select smartphone ...
Standard
Not Available
Outside Temp Gauge
Not Available
Standard
Full Floor Console w/Covered Storage, Mini Overhead Console w/Storage and 1 12V DC Power Outlet
Standard
Not Available
Full Floor Console w/Covered Storage and 1 12V DC Power Outlet
Not Available
Standard
Cargo Area Concealed Storage
Standard
Standard
Driver / Passenger And Rear Door Bins
Not Available
Standard
Full Carpet Floor Covering -inc: Carpet Front Floor Mats
Standard
Not Available
Carpet Floor Trim and Carpet Trunk Lid/Rear Cargo Door Trim
Not Available
Standard
Cargo Space Lights
Standard
Standard
Front Center Armrest
Not Available
Standard
FOB Controls -inc: Cargo Access
Standard
Standard
Remote Releases -Inc: Mechanical Cargo Access and Mechanical Fuel
Not Available
Standard
Cloth Door Trim Insert
Standard
Not Available
Cargo Features -inc: Tire Mobility Kit
Not Available
Standard
Interior Trim -inc: Chrome Interior Accents
Standard
Standard
Vinyl Door Trim Insert
Not Available
Standard
Driver And Passenger Visor Vanity Mirrors
Standard
Standard
Full Carpet Floor Covering
Not Available
Standard
Driver Foot Rest
Standard
Standard
Power Rear Windows
Not Available
Standard
Urethane Gear Shifter Material
Standard
Standard
Perimeter Alarm
Not Available
Standard
Glove Box
Standard
Standard
Remote Keyless Entry w/Illuminated Entry and Panic Button
Not Available
Standard
Day-Night Rearview Mirror
Standard
Standard
Front Cupholder
Standard
Standard
Rear Cupholder
Standard
Standard
Carpet Floor Trim
Standard
Not Available
Full Cloth Headliner
Standard
Standard
Manual Rear Windows
Standard
Not Available
Power 1st Row Windows w/Driver 1-Touch Down
Standard
Standard
Fade-To-Off Interior Lighting
Standard
Standard
Delayed Accessory Power
Standard
Standard
Power Door Locks w/Autolock Feature
Standard
Standard
1 12V DC Power Outlet
Standard
Standard
Remote Keyless Entry w/Integrated Key Transmitter and Panic Button
Standard
Not Available
Securilock Anti-Theft Ignition (pats) Immobilizer
Standard
Not Available
Manual Air Conditioning
Standard
Standard
Air Filtration
Standard
Standard
Driver Information Center
Standard
Not Available
Trip Computer
Standard
Standard
Analog Appearance
Standard
Standard
Owner Reviews
Loyd
I3 turbo with 6 speed manual
Besides having a front half shaft failure at about 20k miles and wearing out tires about every 20,000 miles as well. At just over 52,000 miles now it has a lifetime fuel mileage average of 35 mpg, which considering how the 2.0L 6 speed manual 2015 model it replaced had a lifetime average of 28- pretty happy with the decision to go with the 1.0L turbo. I did just have to replace the brake pads front and rear but the rotors were flat and good and were even turnable to get a good bed in and bite with all new pads. The aero pan connectors are pretty useless since the dealers use air tools to spin in and out the screws and they strip them, the thing has dragged now a few times and I have had to get new fasteners nearly every oil change unless I do it myself with hand tools. For a small car it is plenty comfortable and has made a couple trips from MN to CA and back averaging over 40mpg running above posted speed limits the entire time, one tank of memory was 48mpg and that is fantastic mpg for any vehicle... Take that prius owners
John M
Ford cars are the most comfortable to wear.
This car is very comfortable to drive, environmentally friendly because it is an electric car, the performance is good and the interior is very cool. Try it, you will definitely love it and consider buying it. This car brand has been very trusted in the world of automotive.
Ian P
Great car with nice features.
It works extremely well and I haven't had any mechanical problems since I bought it. Has great gas mileage and comfortable adjustable seating. Plenty of space in the back for passengers as well. The Bluetooth connection works well and has a good base sound system. Overall a great car for small families.
Logan J
Ford focus and warranty coverage.
Vehicle runs well. Does it is job. Good gas mileage. We have had some repairs completed under warranty. Ac vent failure and clutch. Warranty coverage took care of both concerns and issues a rental car at night cost. Ford dealership schedules the service and call when repairs are complete. Easy and simple process.
Kimberly C
Ford focus 2018 definitely a win.
Super reliable car. Very quiet on long road trips roomy for 2 to 3 people. Give us plenty of leg space for people in the back as well as for the front adjustable seats for people who are shorter to reach. The trunk is a bit small but if you adjust it right and take the cover part of it definitely accommodates for a lot of groceries.
Alix M
The thrilling ride you didn't know you were going to get.
It is a beautiful blue and a very speedy car. My favor feature is that the car is a standard. There are 4 different modes and two of the are only for the track. I have had it for almost 3 years and I cannot find anything that I do not like about my car. I would definitely recommend to everyone that loves a good thriller car to drive around. The only thing I do not like is that my nephews car seat does not fit well in the back seat. The only problem with that is I may have to get a “mom” car if we do decide to have little ones.
Austin E
The St is a blast to drive.
The car is great. No problems so far. The base model St interior seating is a little to be desired but is still standard across most vehicles in its class. The engine performance is awesome. There is a lot of torque and how end hp. The car handles great! It drives like it is on rails through tight twists and turns.
Matt P
Focus St hatchback or the century.
I have had no problems at all, my St has full. Bolt on aftermarket parts and it still gives me no problems to this day. Currently at 35,000 miles not one issue to report. I drive my car every day and I usually get on the gas time and time again it has incredible power to weight ratio, has enough room for a road trip and is really comfortable.
Mariah B
My review for my Kia forte. It gets you from place to place. No complaints.
It's super reliable, drives nice, great gas mileage. Low miles. It is got a nice color. It has a backup camera and a digital speedometer. Surprisingly spacious trunk and comfortable seats. Big center console and many cup holders for a small vehicle. It has Sirius XM radio, which is also a nice feature.
Aymee B
Great family car! I love it!
I love my car. It has great safety features, I love that it works with apple carplay and connects to my phone via cord or Bluetooth. Love the touch screen. Great on gas mileage. Comfortable seats and nice interior. Would recommend Kia forte to friends and family.
Antonio F
It touts a user-friendly infotainment system with apple CarPlay and android auto.
This Kia gets you a lot for a little; it has loads of standard tech and safety features and one of the lowest starting prices in the segment. Its upscale and well-made cabin is a pleasant place for long-distance travel. The forte offers the best overall combination of quality and value in its class. The forte has comfortable seats, a well-designed dashboard, and an intuitive infotainment system.
Laronda M
My vehicle is red, long, wide extra space in the trunk sits 3-4 ft off the ground.
Great on gas mileage, easy maintenance and a lot of space for storage which is essential when you are traveling. The trunk is extra large so things do get lost easy. The engine has had no trouble ro issues. It has been a reliable car for me and my brother for well over 2 years now happy I made the purchase of an lx vehicle.
Kelsey L
Kia forte 2018 vehicle review.
Very limited features in base model, very easy to damage, low traction, has good gas mileage, decent sound system, sleek design. Comfortable size of car, however could be bigger. Accelerates at a decent pace, decently fast. Aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and reliable to get you too and from places.
Savannah H
Very sleek, roomy, and accessible.
Very comfortable and a lot of room in the front. Has a sleek look inside and out. A lot of room in the back. Several compartments for drinks and other things. Roomy glove compartment and console. Easily accessible to Bluetooth. Has pull levers inside for trunk and gas cap.
Kaela M
Overall a very good car and family friendly.
Comfortable, good gas mileage, plenty of room, good radio system, Bluetooth connectivity, no backup camera, good trunk space, able to put car seat, plenty of legroom, comfy seats, no heated seats, easy oil change, not too low, not too high, easy to get in and out of,
Bridget D
A reliable and safe vehicle!
My 2018 Kia forte has incredible safety features that make me feel comfortable and safe to drive. I enjoy the Bluetooth system and the physical features the most. It is an attractive car from the outside. The maintenance has been easy and low cost since I purchased it almost 3 years ago. This Kia forte is very reliable. My least favorite feature is the seat shape and material. The seat is uncomfortable for the head and neck since the headrest leans in a forward position. The seat fabric is slightly rough. Overall, I would give the 2018 Kia forte a 8 out of 10 star review.
Advantage: 2018 Kia Forte
Problems Reported By Owners
2018 Ford Focus
Based on owner reviews, 1.3% of users reported having problems with the 2018 Ford Focus
Ian P
Great car with nice features.
It works extremely well and I haven't had any mechanical problems since I bought it. Has great gas mileage and comfortable adjustable seating. Plenty of space in the back for passengers as well. The Bluetooth connection works well and has a good base sound system. Overall a great car for small families.
Logan J
Ford focus and warranty coverage.
Vehicle runs well. Does it is job. Good gas mileage. We have had some repairs completed under warranty. Ac vent failure and clutch. Warranty coverage took care of both concerns and issues a rental car at night cost. Ford dealership schedules the service and call when repairs are complete. Easy and simple process.
Christopher A
The focus is a good car for long trips and long commutes.
I have transmission problems after 70,000 miles. Also, I have had low fuel mileage since 60,000 miles. The car is roomy and rides very well on long trips. The steering wheel warmer is a little over the top for me. I like the audio system and navigation. Both work very well and are very reliable. The ambient light system is a nice little touch to give the car a personal feel.
Katy P
A good daily driver, when the clutch is working.
The 2018 ford focus is a decent car, but comes with a few problems. I have had to have the clutch replaced and had problems with my fuel line as well. Both of these seem to problems for many focus’. The car is a good daily driver however with few blind spots and is easy to operate. Despite it being a small car there is still a fair amount of room. I wouldn't buy another ford focus again though, seeing as these seem to be recurring problems with every year in later models.
Britney M
Lots of transmission problems.
Transmission problems, check engine light is always on.We've checked into it and cannot find the source I wouldn't recommend a focus for a long term car unfortunately. It is definitely an upgrade from my old one I just wish I would've done more research on the transmission problems these focus’s have.
Cassidy H
Ford focus is a quality car for the price.
It has a transmission problem. It is covered by the warranty- but can be annoying to deal with. Drives very smooth. Sturdy car! The hatchback feature is great-seats lay down making it very spacious. Comfy seats. Nice technology. Nothing too fancy but it gets the job done with Bluetooth.
Marjorie P
Black, shiny very sharp looking vehicle
Great on gas, comfortable ride, i really like the car, the only problem is my car overheated after only having it 2 weeks, I bought it brand new and it had a pinhole leak in the coolant reservoir. Was very disappointed as it only had 200 miles . Ford stood by it though and fixed it.
2018 Kia Forte
Based on owner reviews, 1.7% of users reported having problems with the 2018 Kia Forte
Laronda M
My vehicle is red, long, wide extra space in the trunk sits 3-4 ft off the ground.
Great on gas mileage, easy maintenance and a lot of space for storage which is essential when you are traveling. The trunk is extra large so things do get lost easy. The engine has had no trouble ro issues. It has been a reliable car for me and my brother for well over 2 years now happy I made the purchase of an lx vehicle.
Courtney F
The car has a 5 star rating for safety which is the reason I bought this!
My car is very comfortable to drive. The engine is very quiet. The trunk is very spacious! It is also great on gas. I get about 40 miles per gallon. It also has a great a/c. My favorite feature is the Bluetooth radio! The only issue I have with it is that it does not have much room in the backseat.
Irene M
2018 Kia forte is a reliable car and great on gas.
The 2018 Kia forte is excellent on gas. It drives smooth and is a great small family car. I haven't had any issues with is so far. I love that it has Bluetooth capability and you can talk to us while you are driving if you are trying to make a call or change the radio station. I dislike that my interior is already unthreading in the back seat and the paint is chipping on the ac and radio knobs.
Tara M
Good little car, runs smooth and gets good gas mileage and looks really nice.
It is pretty quiet and smooth when running but it doesn't come with a spare tire just a kit, it sits pretty low and it's not an all wheel drive so not the best in snow, but it's a really good car and gets good gas mileage. It doesn't have rear wipers but it runs smooth and I havent had an issue.
Philip P
Kia forte vehicle experience.
The car for me at least is too low to the ground. I had some issues with one of the tires which led to me having to get two new tires for the vehicle. It is comfortable enough anyway. I got mine with as little features as possible. It gets me where I need to go.
Sabrina R
Comfortable spacious reliable vehicle.
The only problem that I can think of is not a super fast acceleration. It is super spacious and comfortable. The features I like the most are the buttons on the steering wheel. I love that I am able to connect my phone to Bluetooth and take calls while driving. The car is really good on gas as well.
Emily M
Good car with convenient features.
Overall a good car. Noticed a few cosmetic issues, paint chipped easily, etc. Gas mileage is good, usually fill up my tank every other week. Bluetooth capabilities is convenient however requires you to pair your phone randomly instead of doing it automatically.
Advantage: 2018 Ford Focus
Pros & Cons from Owners
2018 Ford Focus
Karina B.
I love my car it's runs great it's good on gas and it's very comfortable. Its has a navigation system, backup camera which is very useful. I love that it has Sirius so I have some many stations I can listen to.
Karina B.
None I have no complaints about my car. There is no cons I can think of I would recommend this car to everyone. Maybe only con will be if I had a large family we will all not fit. You will need a SUV.
Hulrich N.
Its economic, practical and spacious. Ideal for my family, safe and elegant, I feel very good in my car, it's all I always wanted to have, it a car that represents me, I feel comfortable and happy. I love my car.
Hulrich N.
No disadvantage.For now I feel I have the best choice for myself and my family, the most important thing is that it is economical and I can travel with him throughout the country. I can't say anything bad about the car.
Meredith R.
I really like how it drives. It drives smooth. All of the features inside is very nice. The way that Ford services their cars are very good too. All of the cars that I have owned have all been Ford made.
Meredith R.
I really do not have any cons of my Ford so far. The only this is that without snow tires it does not do well in the snow. I have had this car for 2 years now and have not had any trouble with the car or Ford as a company.
Meme W.
It is good on gas, it is effective, it is efficient and good for the environment. It is something we're comfortable with. Single family friendly. Reliable and strong and gas. Focus and ford. Heat up quickly.
Meme W.
It has several transmission issues. After it starts to get Rusty and car become trashy. It does not have a good back storage. Some paint can rust easily. Have to refill gas every week or every 120 plus miles.
Pros & Cons from Owners
2018 Kia Forte
Jessica N.
This car has multiple driving methods, sport, economic, normal, and stick shift driving. This Car is also great on gas mileage. I love the big computer screen in the dashboard. One can see everything on the screen clearly. The Bluetooth feature on this car is nice as well. The speaker sits right above your head making it easy to communicate clearly with the person on the other end of the phone. Car drives smoothly with great control of the steering wheel.
Jessica N.
The cons about this car, is the car size. The care size is slightly compact. Its big enough for a single family. One parent and one child. The headlights could be a but brighter. I do not like the economic driving feature. I feel like there is not any pick up in speed when the car is set on economic to save in gas.
Aimee B.
Has really great gas mileage, drives very well. Interior is very comfortable and looks nice. Has Bluetooth technology, so you can link your cell phone to be hands free. And SiriusXM radio services. Another really great feature is that this car has foldable back seats for large packages.
Aimee B.
Has no backup camera, no touch screen feature. No side mirror alert to know if a passing vehicle is in your blind spot. No auto start. It's an economy version so it doesn't have all the bells and whistles that most cars have.
Sandra A.
Fuel efficient, almost 40 mpg. It has an eco friendly mode and a sports mode. It is got a very nice design on the inside with Apple carplay, which lets you access Siri hands free. You have the option to choose your own gears when driving, but also drive it in regular drive mode.
Sandra A.
It is not the fastest car unless you drive it in sports mode. If you drive it around too fast, the fuel economy will go down to 20 mpg instead of 40 mpg. The horn itself is not the loudest compared to other sedans. It does not have a coin pocket on the side like other sedans do. The Apple carplay feature or the screen inside can be difficult to use if you are not familiar with technology.
Kenyst H.
It is compact, efficient, and convenient. It is great on gas. It is great for a everyday car and also great for traveling. The interior of Car is updated and does have aux port and USB port. The car is good on oil changes. Easy to replace lights. Good horsepower for a compact car.
Kenyst H.
Too small for a family car. Need more room. Seats should have been leather and heated. No armrest. Sometimes has a slow response to taking off. Speakers could have been better. Also the outside look of the car is not all that great.
Video Reviews
2018 Ford Focus
Video Reviews
2018 Kia Forte
Entertainment Features
Compare Entertainment Features
2018 Ford Focus
Trim
S
2018 Kia Forte
Trim
LX
Radio: AM/FM/MP3-Capable -inc: 4 speakers, speed-sensitive volume control and redundant steering wheel audio controls
Standard
Not Available
Radio: AM/FM/CD/MP3 Audio System -inc: SiriusXM satellite radio, USB/auxiliary input jacks, 4 speakers, Bluetooth wireless technology and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
Not Available
Standard
Radio w/Seek-Scan, Clock and Radio Data System
Standard
Not Available
Radio w/Seek-Scan, Clock and Speed Compensated Volume Control
Not Available
Standard
Integrated Roof Antenna
Standard
Not Available
Streaming Audio
Not Available
Standard
1 LCD Monitor In The Front
Standard
Not Available
Window Grid Antenna
Not Available
Standard
Safety Ratings & Features
NHTSA Ratings
2018 Ford Focus
2018 Kia Forte
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
Compare Safety Features
2018 Ford Focus
Trim
S
2018 Kia Forte
Trim
LX
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Standard
Standard
ABS And Driveline Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Side Impact Beams
Standard
Standard
Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Low Tire Pressure Warning
Standard
Standard
Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
Standard
Standard
Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
Standard
Standard
Airbag Occupancy Sensor
Standard
Standard
Driver Knee Airbag
Standard
Not Available
Mykey System -inc: Top Speed Limiter, Audio Volume Limiter, Early Low Fuel Warning, Programmable Sound Chimes and Beltminder w/Audio Mute
Standard
Not Available
Rear Child Safety Locks
Standard
Standard
Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3 Point, Height Adjusters and Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Back-Up Camera
Standard
Not Available
Available Models
Ford Focus Models
Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.
2018 Ford Focus
Photos may not match model