2022 Kia Forte vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 BMW 5 Series was known for its understated elegance, lacking the flamboyant design elements of the 3 Series or the grandiose presence of the 7 Series. It received a subtle styling refresh that enhanced its sleekness, with streamlined LED headlights and a larger, yet tastefully proportioned, twin-kidney grille. The addition of trapezoidal tailpipes, L-shaped taillights, and updated bumpers for the M Sport Package contributed to its refined appearance. Despite being 30 millimetres longer, the 5 Series maintained a commendable drag coefficient of 0.27, ensuring aerodynamic efficiency. Inside, the 5 Series retained its classic BMW layout, with distinctive design elements that unmistakably identified it as a BMW. While lower trims featured SensaTec upholstery, higher trims offered luxurious Dakota and Nappa leather options. The interior boasted high-end materials, although the sporty steering wheel felt somewhat out of place in the otherwise sophisticated cabin.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of six trim levels, with the GT Limited standing out for its sporty appeal. The GT Limited featured a turbocharged engine, red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and 18-inch machined-finish wheels, giving it a dynamic look. The Forte's design updates included a new grille, headlights, and bumpers, with LED headlights available on higher trims. Inside, the Forte's cabin remained largely unchanged, with a sporty interior featuring a 4.2-inch driver information display, a revised centre console, and improved infotainment systems. The GT Limited's interior exuded a sporty vibe with its thick-rimmed steering wheel, seat perforations, and polished metal accents. While the Forte GT Limited offered a fun driving experience, it wasn't a true performance sedan, with some shortcomings in steering precision and brake performance.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a diverse range of powertrains. The base 530i featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. The 540i, equipped with a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, delivered 335 horsepower and 362 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The M550i xDrive boasted a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with 523 horsepower, while the legendary M5 offered 617 horsepower in Competition spec, achieving 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor, producing 288 horsepower and offering an electric range of 31 km. The 5 Series excelled in handling and driving dynamics, though it leaned more towards luxury than pure sportiness.

The 2022 Kia Forte retained its mechanical components from the previous year, with most trims featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The GT Limited trim, however, offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GT Limited's sport-tuned suspension and larger wheels enhanced its driving dynamics, providing a spirited driving experience. However, the Forte GT Limited's brakes struggled during demanding driving, and the engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable. Despite these drawbacks, the Forte GT Limited delivered a fun and engaging driving experience, though it fell short of being a true performance sedan.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available as a four-door, five-seat sedan, offered a spacious interior with competitive front-seat space and ample rear-seat room. The 540i's trunk provided 396 litres of cargo space, surpassing rivals like the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The rear bench featured a 40/20/20 split fold for added versatility. The 5 Series came equipped with 16-way power front seats, offering a range of adjustments for comfort. However, forward visibility was hindered by the long hood, making parking and manoeuvring challenging. A surround-view camera system helped mitigate this issue.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited featured a comfortable interior with standard 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The height-adjustable front passenger seat ensured comfort for all occupants. The GT Limited's dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air conditioning vents added to passenger comfort. Rear seat headroom and legroom were impressive for a compact car, and the trunk offered 433 litres of cargo space, the largest in its segment. The rear seats folded down to expand cargo capacity, making the Forte a practical choice for families.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series featured a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with the iDrive 7 system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard. The infotainment system's graphics were excellent, though the instrument cluster's layout could be confusing. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile interface, and voice control was available. Gesture controls were also offered but required learning specific gestures.

The 2022 Kia Forte introduced new technology features, including a rear-seat USB port and remote engine starting capability. Lower trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch display with additional features. The Forte's infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive menus and physical knobs for volume and tuning. However, the voice recognition system had limitations, and Kia Connect's functionality was inconsistent. The GT Limited trim included an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS for the 2020 model, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, and lane-keep assist. BMW's driver-assist tech was praised for its sophistication and smooth operation.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of safety features, with higher trims including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist were available on select trims. The IIHS rated the Forte's crashworthiness and driving assist systems highly, though headlight testing was incomplete. The NHTSA gave the Forte a four-star overall crash protection rating, with concerns about rear passenger safety in side impacts.