2022 Kia Forte vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out with its bold and distinctive design, characterized by sharp creases and dramatic angles, thanks to Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language. The Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a controversial design cue, added a unique character to the vehicle, breaking conventional automotive design rules. The Elantra's interior was driver-focused, with a dashboard and centre console that clearly delineated the driver and passenger areas. The Ultimate trim, with its light gray seats and contrasting black cabin, offered a modern and upscale look, while lower-grade interiors appeared drab with noticeable glossy black plastic.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Forte offered a more traditional design with six trim levels, each providing a different set of features. The GT Limited trim, with its Steel Grey paint and sporty red-accent detailing, stood out with a gloss black lip spoiler and larger 18-inch wheels. The interior of the Forte GT Limited was sporty, featuring traditional analog gauges, a thick-rimmed steering wheel, and polished metal accents. The simulated leather used in the GT-Line and GT Limited trims added a touch of sophistication, although the cabin remained simple in design.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, including a standard 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Elantra Hybrid combined a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor, generating 139 horsepower and offering a more satisfying drive with instant torque and a six-speed DCT. The Elantra N Line featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 horsepower, while the high-performance Elantra N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 276 horsepower, providing an exhilarating driving experience with its N Corner Carving Differential and electronically controlled suspension.

The 2022 Kia Forte, on the other hand, retained its mechanical components from the previous year, with most trims featuring a 2.0-litre engine producing 147 horsepower. The GT Limited trim offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 horsepower, paired with a seven-speed DCT. The Forte GT Limited provided a sporty driving experience with its sport-tuned suspension and larger wheels, but it fell short of the Elantra N's performance capabilities. The Forte's brakes struggled during demanding driving conditions, and its engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable, detracting from the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offering a spacious interior with best-in-class rear-seat legroom. The driver’s seat was height-adjustable, and the trunk provided 402 litres of cargo space. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic upper door panels were drawbacks. The Elantra's trunk lacked a grab handle, requiring users to touch the exterior surface to close it.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Forte's rear seat offered good headroom and legroom, with a large bottom cushion for support. The trunk, with 433 litres of cargo space, was the largest in its segment, and a grab handle on the inner side allowed for easy closure. The Forte's interior was comfortable for long trips, although the hard plastic front seatback panels were a minor inconvenience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Ultimate trim featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen, providing a high-tech feel. The infotainment system included a dynamic voice recognition system and a Bose premium audio system, although wireless smartphone integration was lost with the larger screen.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new technology features, including a rear-seat USB port and remote engine starting capability. The EX Premium trim and lower offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the GT-Line and GT Limited trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with additional features. The Forte's infotainment system was user-friendly, although the voice recognition capabilities were inconsistent. The GT Limited trim included an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Most trims included SmartSense, Hyundai’s suite of advanced driving assistance systems, featuring forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and more. Safety-related upgrades included adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist, providing a high level of smoothness and accuracy.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of safety features, with most trims including forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring. Higher trims featured adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist, which performed well in various driving conditions. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS for crashworthiness, although the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating due to concerns about rear passenger injury in side impacts.