2023 Kia Forte vs 2022 Hyundai Elantra

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its seventh-generation redesign, shedding its previous unremarkable appearance for a bold and striking new look. The redesign introduced a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette that set it apart from its predecessors. The Elantra's exterior styling, while reminiscent of the midsize Sonata sedan, carved out its own unique identity with distinctive creases and folds on the doors forming a "Z" shape. Inside, the Elantra's interior saw improvements in material quality, offering a slightly above-average experience for the compact car class, despite some hard plastic surfaces. The N Line trim added sporty elements like N Line design front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its visual appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Forte retained some of the carmaker's older design cues while incorporating newer styling elements. The double-tab grille, a signature Kia feature, was complemented by converging angled cutouts, hinting at the latest design language. The GT trims added excitement with LED fog lights and bold red accents, though opinions on these features varied. The Forte's design was more typical of the class, but its overall shape was graceful compared to some competitors. Inside, the Forte maintained an older layout with a touchscreen mounted atop the centre of the dash and traditional climate knobs, offering a modern yet familiar feel. The interior materials were notably nicer than contemporary rivals, with soft-touch surfaces and sturdy construction, making it a competitive choice in its class.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine combined with an electric motor, delivering 139 hp and up to 195 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The N Line trim boasted a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, equipped with a seven-speed DCT in Canada. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and multi-link independent rear suspension enhanced its ride and handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2023 Kia Forte offered two engine choices: a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 201 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque in the GT Limited trim, mated to a seven-speed DCT. The base engine provided adequate performance, while the GT Limited offered a more exciting driving experience with its sport-tuned suspension. The Forte's handling was sportier than expected, with precise steering and a comfortable ride quality, though it lacked the engaging feel of some competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality, offering a compact size that made it easy to navigate tight spaces. Its interior provided excellent outward visibility and comfortable seating, though the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to get in and out. The Elantra accommodated three children comfortably in the back seat, though taller adults might find the sloped roof limiting headroom. Cargo space was adequate at 402 litres, with a trunk that could hold a surprising amount of gear despite a narrow opening. However, the lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents were minor drawbacks.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, with a comfortable driver's seat and easy-to-reach controls. The dashboard layout allowed for intuitive operation of functions, and higher trims offered features like heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats comfortably accommodated average-sized adults, with ample headroom and legroom. The Forte's trunk offered 433 litres of cargo space, slightly more than some competitors, though the cargo floor's flimsy fabric covering was a minor drawback.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings, featuring an 8-inch display audio touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports as standard. Higher trims added a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the six-speaker audio system's performance was merely adequate.

The 2023 Kia Forte came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with higher trims receiving a 10.25-inch display with navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included across all models, while a wireless charging pad was available from the EX grade. The Forte's infotainment system featured sharp graphics and quick responses, with logical menu organization and helpful shortcuts. The premium eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the GT Limited provided an enhanced audio experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies, with features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning standard on most trims. The Elantra received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in most crash tests, though lower trims with halogen headlights received a "Marginal" rating.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall protection, with some base forward collision avoidance features flagged as not meeting performance criteria. The IIHS awarded the Forte "Good" ratings in most evaluations, except for the updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests, which received "Poor" ratings. Most driver assistance features were available from the EX trim, with advanced features on higher trims.