2024 Kia Forte

The Honda Civic is more than just our favorite compact car. It is the Edmunds Top Rated model across all car classes (not including electrics). Though it costs more than the Kia Forte, the Honda Civic is fun to drive, equipped with the right tech, and constructed with care from quality materials. It also comes with two years of complimentary maintenance. But the Honda can't match the Kia when it comes to warranty protection and roadside assistance. See what it's like to live with the Honda Civic by reading the Edmunds long-term road test.

The Kia Forte's corporate cousin is the Hyundai Elantra. However, in addition to the standard lineup, the Elantra comes in both hybrid and performance-tuned N variants, while the Forte does not. The Hyundai also offers a longer list of ownership perks, such as unlimited mileage roadside assistance, complimentary scheduled maintenance, and more generous ownership perks. While the styling might not be to everyone's preference, and the Elantra is more expensive, the Hyundai deserves careful consideration.

The Toyota Corolla is an accomplished all-arounder, pairing the automaker's reputation for reliability with simplicity, practicality and even style. You can get the Corolla with available all-wheel drive or with a hybrid drivetrain, and it comes with a long list of standard driver assist systems. And it comes with two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance. It's not the most exciting choice in this segment, but there are lots of reasons to consider this Toyota.