Schomp Honda

Safety

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-Z deploy with different levels of force or don't deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The CR-Z's side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Forte's side airbags don't have smart features and will always deploy full force.

 

The Honda CR-Z has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Forte doesn't offer Daytime Running Lights.

 

Compared to metal, the CR-Z's plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Kia Forte has a metal gas tank.

 

Both the CR-Z and the Forte have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

 

Warranty

 

The CR-Z's 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Forte runs out after 100,000 miles.

 

There are over 61 percent more Honda dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the CR-Z's warranty.

 

Reliability

 

The engine in the CR-Z has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Forte have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

 

J.D. Power and Associates' 2010 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 25th, below the industry average.

 

J.D. Power and Associates' surveys of the owners of three-year-old cars provide the long-term dependability statistics that show that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 20th.

 

Engine

 

For more instantaneous acceleration and better engine flexibility in any gear, the CR-Z's engine produces its peak torque at lower RPM's than the Forte:

	Torque
CR-Z 1.5 SOHC 4 cyl. hybrid	1000 RPM
Forte LX/EX 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl.	4300 RPM
Forte SX 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl.	4000 RPM

 

Fuel Economy and Range

 

On the EPA test cycle the CR-Z gets better fuel mileage than the Forte:

		CR-Z	Forte
	1.5 4 cyl. hybrid/Manual	31 city/37 hwy	25 city/34 hwy	2.0 4 cyl./Manual
		n/a	22 city/32 hwy	2.4 4 cyl./Manual
	1.5 4 cyl. hybrid/Auto	35 city/39 hwy	27 city/36 hwy	2.0 4 cyl./Auto
		n/a	25 city/34 hwy	2.0 4 cyl./4-spd Auto
		n/a	23 city/31 hwy	2.4 4 cyl./Auto

 

Transmission

 

The CR-Z offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no 'steps' between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Forte doesn't offer a CVT.

 

A standard 'hill holder' feature keeps the Honda CR-Z from rolling backwards on a steep slope. The Forte doesn't offer a hill holder feature.

 

Tires and Wheels

 

The CR-Z's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Forte LX/EX's standard 65 series tires.

 

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CR-Z has standard 16-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Forte LX/EX.

 

Chassis

 

The CR-Z is 1 foot, 3.8 inches shorter than the Forte Koup, making the CR-Z easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

 

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the CR-Z has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Forte uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

 

Cargo Capacity

 

The CR-Z has a much larger trunk than the Forte Koup (25.1 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

 

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the CR-Z's hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don't intrude into the cargo area. The Forte's useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

 

Servicing Ease

 

A Maintenance Minder is standard on the CR-Z to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, spark plug replacement, air filter replacement, tire rotation, radiator flush and transmission fluid replacement based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Kia doesn't offer a maintenance reminder on the Forte.

 

Ergonomics

 

The engine computer on the CR-Z automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The Forte's starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

 

The CR-Z's standard power windows allow the driver or passenger to lower and raise the windows without leaning over or being distracted. The Forte LX doesn't offer power windows.

 

The CR-Z's driver's power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Forte EX/SX's power windows' switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

 

The CR-Z's standard power locks allow the driver or passenger to lock or unlock all the doors at a touch without leaning over, or reaching to the back seat. The Forte LX doesn't offer power locks.

 

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CR-Z has a standard rear wiper. The Forte doesn't offer a rear wiper.

 

The CR-Z has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Forte doesn't offer automatic headlights.

 

The CR-Z's standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Forte doesn't offer automatic air conditioning.

 

With optional voice command, the CR-Z EX offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Forte doesn't offer a voice control system.

* [1]  Based on 2011 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.