2022 Kia Forte vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2022 Honda Civic presented a more mature and conservative design compared to its predecessor, drawing inspiration from the larger Accord sedan. This 11th-generation Civic was available in familiar trims like LX, EX, Sport, and Touring, with prices in Canada starting at an MSRP of $24,465 for the LX and reaching up to $30,265 for the Touring, excluding destination charges. The Civic Touring, evaluated in a striking Morning Mist Blue, offered a sophisticated interior with minimalistic controls and improved materials, especially in the Touring trim. The dashboard featured a unique metal honeycomb mesh that elegantly concealed the air vents, contributing to a refined cabin atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Forte offered six trim levels, with the GT Limited being the most feature-rich and sporty option. The Forte GT Limited, evaluated in Steel Grey, boasted a sporty exterior with red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and 18-inch wheels. The interior retained a sporty look with analog gauges, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and polished metal accents. The Forte's cabin was nearly identical to the previous year's model, with a 4.2-inch driver information display and improved infotainment systems. The GT Limited trim featured simulated leather with a Germanic appearance, enhancing the overall cabin aesthetics.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options, both improved from the previous generation. The LX, EX, and Sport trims featured a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The Touring trim, however, came with a more powerful turbocharged 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with continuously variable transmissions (CVT), with different CVTs for each engine. The Civic's Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, enhancing responsiveness and driving enjoyment. The Civic's handling was praised for its balance of performance and comfort, though its fuel efficiency fell short of expectations during testing.

The 2022 Kia Forte, except for the GT Limited trim, retained a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The GT Limited trim, however, featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine producing 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GT Limited offered Smart, Normal, and Sport driving modes, along with a sport-tuned suspension and larger wheels. While the Forte GT Limited provided a spirited driving experience, it was not without flaws. The brakes struggled during demanding driving, and the engine noise was noticeable at highway speeds. Fuel economy also fell short of official ratings during testing.

The 2022 Honda Civic was known for its comfort, with redesigned front seats offering improved support. The Touring trim featured leather upholstery and a power-adjustable driver's seat, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The Civic's low ride height made entry and exit challenging for some, but rear legroom was generous. The Civic's trunk offered 419 litres of space, reduced to 408 litres in the Touring trim due to premium sound system components. The interior redesign included a new centre console with more accessible cupholders but less storage space.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited came with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Forte's interior was comfortable for long journeys, with a height-adjustable front passenger seat and dual-zone automatic climate control. Rear seat space was commendable, with ample headroom and legroom. The Forte's trunk was the largest in its segment, offering 433 litres of cargo space. The rear seats folded down to expand capacity, and a grab handle on the trunk lid facilitated easy closing.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim offering a 10-inch display panel. This panel provided customization options and a Vehicle Activity display to ensure proper headlight usage. The Civic's infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was praised for its performance, though it had a slow load time.

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 more functions but required a cable for smartphone connectivity. The GT Limited trim included an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and Kia Connect services. The Forte's infotainment system was user-friendly, though voice recognition capabilities were inconsistent.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing suite with Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and more. The Civic replaced its LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and added rear cross-traffic alert in the Touring trim. The Civic's architecture was strengthened for improved collision protection, and new airbag designs enhanced safety. A rear-seat reminder system was standard.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered various safety technologies, with higher trims including adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS for crashworthiness, though NHTSA ratings were lower due to potential rear passenger injury in side impacts. The Forte's HDA system was praised for its performance, especially in traffic.