2020 Kia Forte vs 2020 Dodge Charger

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was a standout in its lineup, featuring a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission, sport-tuned suspension, and active exhaust. It also boasted larger front brakes and 18-inch wheels. The GT's styling set it apart from other Fortes, with revised bumpers, a black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets, giving it a subtle yet sporty appearance. Inside, the Forte GT offered a modern look with red seat piping, interior stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, and gloss black trim with metallic accents. The transmission shifter felt solid, enhancing the driving experience.

The Forte GT was priced competitively, starting at $22,490, with options to upgrade to a 6-speed manual transmission for an additional $600. The GT2 Package added significant value for $2,200, including Michelin Pilot Sport summer performance tires. The test car, equipped with the DCT and all extras, was priced at $26,085. The Forte GT's tasteful design and performance features made it an appealing choice for those seeking a sporty yet understated vehicle.

The 2020 Dodge Charger continued to embody the modern muscle car aesthetic with its menacing headlights and gaping grille, a design language that had evolved since its 2015 facelift. The Charger maintained its retro theme inside, blending vintage-looking bezels with modern digital displays. The rear-wheel-drive platform contributed to a cockpit-like feel for the driver and front passenger. The Charger offered various trim levels, including SXT, GT, R/T, and Hellcat, each with distinct features and performance capabilities.

The Charger GT added visual enhancements like 20-inch wheels, a hood scoop, and dual-zone climate control. The R/T featured a V8 engine, while the R/T Scat Pack offered a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower. The Hellcat, with its supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivered 707 horsepower and came with a widebody kit. The Charger's lineup provided a range of performance options, from the base V6 to the high-powered Hellcat, catering to different driving preferences.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 195 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm. This was a significant upgrade from the 147-hp 2.0-liter engine in other Forte models. The power was transmitted to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), which was well-calibrated and responsive. The Forte GT also offered a 6-speed manual gearbox option, which included additional GT2 package features.

The Forte GT's sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, and larger front brakes contributed to its engaging driving experience. It featured driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Smart, allowing drivers to tailor the car's performance to their preferences. The Forte GT excelled in handling, providing a firm and connected ride quality, especially on curvy roads. However, its nose-heavy weight bias was noticeable during aggressive driving, leading to some brake fade and tire scrub.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains, starting with the SXT and GT trims, which featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 292 and 300 horsepower, respectively. The R/T trim came with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, delivering 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque. The R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, while the Hellcat featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, generating 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.

The Charger's 8-speed automatic transmission provided smooth power delivery, and the available all-wheel drive on SXT and GT trims enhanced traction. The R/T and Scat Pack trims featured upgraded suspensions and active exhaust systems, while the widebody variants offered improved handling with Bilstein adaptive suspension. The Charger excelled in straight-line performance, with the Hellcat delivering exhilarating acceleration. However, its weight was noticeable in corners, despite the advanced suspension systems.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT featured front sport seats with cloth inserts and Sofino simulated leather bolsters, with full Sofino leatherette available in the GT2 Package. The driver's seat was 10-way power adjustable, providing excellent support during spirited driving. The front passenger seat also had a height adjuster, enhancing comfort. The Forte GT's interior offered a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, soft armrest pads, and upper door panel trim for added comfort.

The Forte GT's backseat provided good comfort with a tall cushion and comfortable backrest angle. It also included air conditioning vents, which were beneficial in hot weather. The Smart Trunk technology allowed for hands-free access to the 15.3 cubic-foot cargo area, which was spacious for a compact sedan. Interior storage was generous, with a wireless smartphone charging pad, door panel storage, and a large glovebox.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered ample interior space, with well-bolstered front bucket seats and generous head- and legroom for the driver and front passenger. The rear seats provided plenty of legroom, making the Charger a practical choice for families. The Charger featured convenient storage solutions, including door trays, cup holders, and a spacious center console. The trunk offered 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which was impressive for a performance sedan.

The Charger's 60/40 split-fold rear bench allowed for additional storage space when needed. The interior design focused on functionality, with easy-to-access storage compartments and a user-friendly layout. The Charger's spacious interior and practical features made it a versatile option for those seeking both performance and everyday usability.

The 2020 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, positioned for easy visibility. It included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a reversing camera. The Forte EX and GT trims added SiriusXM satellite radio and connected services through Kia's UVO technology. While an embedded navigation system was not available, smartphone projection provided navigation capabilities.

The GT2 Package included an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, which offered improved audio quality over the standard 6-speaker setup. However, the car's interior noise levels affected the sound experience. The Forte's infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo knobs and menu shortcut buttons for easy operation.

The 2020 Dodge Charger featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, with an 8.4-inch screen available on higher trims. The Uconnect system was praised for its simplicity and intuitive interface. It included Bluetooth and USB connectivity, standard Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system's docked icons allowed for easy navigation between functions, even when using smartphone integration.

The Charger's infotainment system also included a digital display screen in the instrument panel, operated via a steering wheel directional pad. This screen provided access to trip information, vehicle settings, and turn-by-turn navigation. The Uconnect system's logical menu layout and seamless integration with mobile devices made it a standout feature in the Charger.

The 2020 Kia Forte was recognized as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the emergency braking system was effective only at lower speeds, and the adaptive cruise control did not bring the car to a full stop.

The Forte GT with the GT2 Package included additional safety features, such as 911 Connect, an automatic collision notification system, and programmable alerts for speed, curfew, and geographical boundaries. These features were particularly useful for parents of teenage drivers. The Forte's safety technology provided peace of mind, although some systems had limitations.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered standard safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beams. However, many of these features were not standard, unlike some competitors.

The Charger's crash prevention technology earned a Superior rating from the IIHS, but these features were optional. Additional safety options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. While the Charger offered a range of safety features, some rivals provided more comprehensive standard safety equipment.