2020 Kia Forte vs 2021 Subaru Impreza

The 2020 Kia Forte GT, new for that year, featured a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission (DCT), sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust, larger front brakes, and 18-inch wheels. Its styling modifications, including revised bumpers, black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets, gave it a subtle yet potent look. Inside, the Forte GT boasted red seat piping, interior stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, and gloss black trim with polished metallic accents, creating a modern and substantial feel. The transmission shifter felt solid, enhancing the sense of quality.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Impreza adopted a more conservative design compared to its predecessors. Both the sedan and hatchback versions featured sleek headlights and taillights, a nicely-tapered front end, and toned-down wheel arch sheet metal. The Impreza Sport models had specific styling touches, including 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior, while not the most exciting, was functional with a split dashboard housing the infotainment touchscreen. The Sport trim added contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, while the Limited trim offered standard leather upholstery and LED headlights.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 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 7-speed DCT delivered power to the front wheels and was well-behaved, offering a firm and connected ride quality. The Forte GT also featured a sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, larger front brakes, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter adjusting based on driving behavior. The car excelled in handling, especially on curvy roads, thanks to its precise steering and suspension setup.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, generating 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Most models were equipped with a CVT, while a five-speed manual transmission was available on the base sedan and hatchback, and the Impreza Sport hatchback. The Sport trim also featured model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for the AWD system. While the Impreza provided a solid and refined ride, it lacked the engagement of competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Sport trim offered a good balance between ride quality and handling, but the steering was noncommunicative, and the engine's power was relatively modest.

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 or with the manual transmission. The 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats added to the comfort. The backseat offered good comfort with a tall cushion and proper support. The Forte GT also had a hands-free Smart Trunk system, providing a roomy 15.3 cubic-foot cargo area. Interior storage was generous, with a wireless smartphone charging pad, door panel storage, and a large glovebox.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza sedan offered 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, the least among compact sedans, but included a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The hatchback version provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Impreza also featured an All-Weather Package on Premium and higher trims, including heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated exterior mirrors. The Sport trim added keyless entry with pushbutton start, while the Limited trim offered a six-way power driver’s seat and automatic climate control.

The 2020 Kia Forte came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a reversing camera. The EX and GT trims included SiriusXM satellite radio and connected services through Kia’s UVO technology. The GT2 Package added an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, which, while better than the standard setup, struggled with the car's ambient noise.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza's base and Premium trims had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth, while higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen. The top Limited trim offered an option package with TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Impreza also had a secondary display for information like estimated range, although it seemed redundant given the small LCD in the gauge cluster. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and minimal menu digging for important functions.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick according to the IIHS and came with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The GT with the GT2 Package included all available safety features, although the automatic emergency braking worked only at lower speeds, and the adaptive cruise control did not bring the car to a full stop. The lane-keeping and lane-centering assist systems were effective but required hands on the steering wheel. The Forte GT also featured 911 Connect, an automatic collision notification system, and parental controls through the UVO eServices technology.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The Impreza's standard EyeSight safety tech on CVT-equipped models included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights were available as options.