2022 Kia Forte vs 2021 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its traditionally bland design by incorporating more dynamic styling elements. The flared wheel arches and slim headlights and taillights successfully broadened the car's appearance, while the SE and XSE trims added visual clutter with fake vents. The LE and XLE trims featured a cleaner, albeit still large, grille. The Camry's interior mirrored its exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of contrasting materials and a lack of cohesive design. Despite the low-rent feel of the materials, the Camry's interior offered a unique aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Forte presented a more cohesive design across its six trim levels, with the GT Limited trim standing out for its sporty appearance. The GT Limited featured red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and 18-inch wheels with a machined finish. The interior maintained a sporty look with a thick-rimmed steering wheel and polished metal accents. The Forte's cabin was simple yet functional, with a focus on comfort and practicality, making it a well-rounded choice for those seeking a stylish compact car.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque in FWD, and slightly less in AWD. The XSE trim's dual-exhaust system increased output to 206 hp and 186 lb-ft with FWD. A 3.5-litre V6 engine was available, delivering 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, while the hybrid variant combined a 2.5-litre engine with electric assist for 208 hp. The Camry's chassis struck a balance between handling and ride quality, providing a surprisingly engaging driving experience, especially with the TRD package's performance enhancements.

The 2022 Kia Forte's mechanical components largely carried over from the previous year, with most trims featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. The GT Limited trim offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GT Limited's sport-tuned suspension and driving modes enhanced its performance, though it fell short of being a true performance sedan. The brakes and engine noise were notable drawbacks, but the Forte GT Limited excelled as a zippy and comfortable daily driver.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided generous rear headroom and legroom, though front space was slightly compromised. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility. Cargo space was average at 428 litres, and in-cabin storage was limited. The Camry featured analog controls for ease of use, though some were awkwardly placed. Dual-zone automatic climate control was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited offered a comfortable and well-equipped interior, with features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. Rear seat space was impressive for a compact car, and the trunk offered 433 litres of cargo space. The Forte's interior was practical and accommodating, with thoughtful touches like a height-adjustable front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents.

The 2021 Toyota Camry's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on select trims. The system was functional but lacked standout features, with limited USB ports and plain graphics.

The 2022 Kia Forte introduced new technology features, including a rear-seat USB port and remote engine starting. 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 functions. The Forte's infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition capabilities were inconsistent. The GT Limited trim included a Harman Kardon sound system and wireless smartphone charging.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with the TSS 2.5+ package of safety features as standard. This included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. New features for 2021 included enhanced forward-collision warning and a Rear Seat Reminder. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of safety features on most trims, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist, providing semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were slightly lower due to concerns about rear passenger safety in side impacts.