2023 Kia Forte vs 2022 Dodge Charger

The 2022 Dodge Charger, despite its roots tracing back to a platform from 2005, managed to maintain a modern and menacing exterior design, especially after its significant facelift in 2015. While the exterior updates kept it relevant, the interior felt dated with its thick bezels and chunky controls, reminiscent of a small truck. However, the cabin's simplicity and ease of use compensated for its lack of cutting-edge design. The Charger offered a range of trims, from the base SXT with a V6 engine to the high-performance Hellcat and Jailbreak variants, each adding unique features and performance upgrades.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Forte retained some of Kia's older design cues while incorporating newer styling elements. The Forte's exterior was marked by a double-tab grille and LED lighting from the EX+ trim upwards. The GT trims added sporty touches with LED fog lights and red accents. Inside, the Forte's layout was more traditional, with a touchscreen atop the dash and physical climate controls below. Despite its older design, the Forte's interior materials were of higher quality than many rivals, offering a comfortable and modern feel. The GT models featured sport seats with synthetic leather upholstery, enhancing the cabin's appeal.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the base SXT trim. The GT trim saw a slight increase to 300 hp and 264 lb-ft. The R/T trim introduced a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 394 lb-ft, while the Scat Pack 392 boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 delivering 485 hp and 475 lb-ft. The Hellcat variants took performance to another level with a supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8, producing 717 hp and 650 lb-ft. The Redeye and Jailbreak models pushed the limits further, with 797 hp and 807 hp, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available on V6 models. The Hellcat's acceleration was remarkable, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 315 km/h.

The 2023 Kia Forte offered two engine choices: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder in the GT Limited trim, producing 201 hp and 132 lb-ft. The base engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the GT Limited featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The base engine provided adequate acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 8.8 seconds, while the GT Limited achieved it in 6.5 seconds. The GT Limited also featured a sport-tuned suspension, enhancing its handling capabilities. Despite its sporty nature, the GT Limited maintained a comfortable ride quality, with precise steering and minimal road noise.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, offered ample legroom in both rows, though headroom was limited, especially in the rear. The high centre console and performance bucket seats created an intimate driving experience. Storage space was less accommodating, with a smaller centre console bin and limited door storage. The Charger provided 467 litres of trunk space, though the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger offered sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk, making it versatile.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, with basic adjustments ensuring comfort on long drives. The dashboard and centre console layout placed controls within easy reach, allowing for intuitive operation. Heated front seats and keyless entry were standard, with higher trims offering additional features like a heated steering wheel and dual-zone climate control. The rear seats comfortably accommodated average-sized adults, with ample headroom and legroom. The trunk offered 433 litres of cargo space, slightly more than some competitors, with remote seatback releases for added convenience.

The 2022 Dodge Charger featured a 7-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. An 8.4-inch version was available on higher trims, offering larger icons for easier use. Both screens included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's technology blended well with conventional controls, providing a straightforward user experience.

The 2023 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with the GT-Line and GT Limited receiving a 10.25-inch display with navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a wireless charging pad available from the EX grade. The infotainment system featured sharp graphics and quick responses, with logical menu organization and helpful shortcuts. A premium eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the GT Limited, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2022 Dodge Charger showed its age in terms of safety features, offering only a backup camera and rear parking sensors as standard. Optional features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Charger received a Marginal rating in the IIHS driver’s side overlap test but earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall protection. Some base forward collision avoidance features did not meet performance criteria, but available upgrades did. The IIHS awarded the Forte a "Good" rating in most evaluations, except for the updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests, which received a "Poor" rating. In Canada, most driver assistance features were available from the EX trim, including forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring.