2020 Dodge Charger vs 2019 Kia Forte

The 2019 Kia Forte presented a fresh take on its design, despite its familiar appearance. It retained its jellybean-like shape and a front-end design that was both plucky and slightly menacing. The new generation introduced additional rear quarter windows and flatter, lower windowsills, drawing inspiration from the sporty Kia Stinger with its powerful grille shape and aggressive lower-grille design. Inside, the Forte's cabin was contemporary and high-tech, featuring a sport steering wheel and a floating touchscreen, reminiscent of the Audi A3's crisp instrument panel layout. The Forte offered trims like FE, LXS, S, and EX, with the base FE trim providing impressive standard features such as forward-collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist.

The 2020 Dodge Charger continued to embody the muscle car silhouette with its menacing headlights and gaping grille, a design language that had evolved since its 2015 facelift. The Charger's cabin maintained a retro theme, blending vintage-looking bezels with modern digital displays. The rear-wheel-drive platform contributed to a cockpit-like feel, with a raised transmission tunnel and a tall center console. Trim levels included SXT, GT, R/T, and Hellcat, each offering unique features and performance enhancements. The Charger provided a spacious interior, with well-bolstered front bucket seats and ample legroom, making it a practical choice for those seeking both performance and comfort.

The 2019 Kia Forte was equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. It offered front-wheel drive and came with either a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), known as the iVT. The Forte's CVT managed power efficiently, providing quick acceleration and impressive handling with minimal body roll. It featured a Drive Mode Selector with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, allowing drivers to tailor their driving experience. The Forte's fuel economy was commendable, with the CVT-equipped model achieving 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 engine in the SXT and GT trims, producing 292 and 300 horsepower, respectively. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower, while the R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower. The range-topping Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody came with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivering a staggering 707 horsepower. The Charger excelled in performance, with its various trims offering different levels of power and handling capabilities. The widebody models featured Bilstein adaptive suspension, enhancing cornering precision, while the Performance Pages provided detailed performance data and customization options.

The 2019 Kia Forte's interior dimensions grew with its new generation, offering more space for occupants. The front seat provided ample legroom, although headroom was slightly tight for taller individuals. The backseat offered adequate headroom and legroom, making it comfortable for longer drives. The Forte's trunk space was impressive, with 15.3 cubic feet of storage, and the EX trim featured a smart trunk system for added convenience.

The 2020 Dodge Charger stood out with its spacious interior, providing generous legroom for rear-seat passengers. The front bucket seats were well-bolstered, offering comfort and support. The Charger featured a large trunk with 16.5 cubic feet of space, surpassing many performance sedans and large family sedans. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench allowed for additional storage flexibility.

The 2019 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch UVO touchscreen, offering a user-friendly interface with vivid visuals and logical menu layout. It retained conventional tuning and volume dials, enhancing the tactile experience. The UVO e-services provided features like enhanced roadside assistance and vehicle diagnostics, accessible through the touchscreen or a smartphone app.

The 2020 Dodge Charger featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with higher trims offering an 8.4-inch screen. The Uconnect system was praised for its simplicity, with a lower dock of icons for easy navigation. It supported Bluetooth, USB connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The digital display screen in the instrument panel allowed for easy access to various functions, including navigation and vehicle settings.

The 2019 Kia Forte offered standard safety features like forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. It also included a reversing camera, traction control, and airbags. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keeping assist was notably active, providing a reassuring driving experience.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came with standard safety features such as airbags, traction control, and rear parking sensors. Available options included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Charger's crash prevention technology earned a Superior rating from the IIHS, although many features were optional rather than standard.