2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Kia Forte

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved significantly from its early days when it closely resembled the Honda Accord. Over time, Hyundai infused the Sonata with its own unique flair, setting it apart from its competitors. The seventh-generation Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, featured a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline, offering a distinctive look that divided opinions. Inside, the Sonata provided a functional and spacious cabin with seating for five, clear gauges, and average material quality. The Limited trim boasted comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery colour was not universally appealing. For those seeking a sportier aesthetic, the Sonata N Line offered aggressive styling with sporty touches, including a body kit, gloss black accents, and dual exhaust outlets. The N Line's interior featured dark chrome trim, red stitching, and unique N-brand sport seats, adding personality to the cabin.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered six trim levels, with the Forte GT Limited providing the most fun. The GT Limited came with Steel Grey paint, carpeted floor mats, and a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $32,084, including a destination charge. For those on a tighter budget, the Forte was available in LX, EX, or GT-Line trims, with base prices ranging from $18,295 to $26,795, plus the destination charge. The 2022 Forte models received updates, including a new grille, headlights, and bumpers. The GT-Line and GT Limited featured sportier looks with red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and larger 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Forte's cabin remained similar to the previous year, with a 4.2-inch driver information display, a revised centre console, and improved infotainment systems. The GT Limited's interior had a sporty look with analog gauges, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and polished metal accents.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a dual personality in terms of performance. The base engine, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, providing a quiet and docile driving experience. A turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 180 hp and 195 lb-ft, powered the Sport and Luxury trims. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the Sonata came standard with a drive mode selector. The Sonata N Line, however, was a different beast, featuring a 290-hp turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, and sport suspension. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the N Line's performance was enhanced by its tuned exhaust and sport suspension. The Sonata provided a smooth ride, competent handling, and a quiet cabin, offering near Genesis-like levels of serenity.

The 2022 Kia Forte's mechanical components largely carried over from the previous year. Most trims featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Forte GT Limited, however, offered a more exciting driving experience with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine was mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The GT Limited featured Smart, Normal, and Sport driving modes, a sport-tuned suspension, and larger 18-inch alloy wheels. While the Forte GT Limited provided enjoyable acceleration and handling, it was not an outright performance sedan. The brakes struggled during demanding driving, and the engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable. Despite these flaws, the Forte GT Limited was a comfortable and zippy daily driver.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered 2,956 litres of passenger space, classifying it as a "Full-size Car" by Natural Resources Canada. The cabin provided ample front-seat headroom and legroom, though shoulder room was average. Rear-seat space was adequate for two adults, but a third passenger might find it cramped. The Sonata's 453-litre trunk was spacious, accommodating a complete three-piece set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature, available on the Ultimate grade, allowed the Sonata to drive itself forward or backward, making tight parking spots more manageable.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited came with standard features such as a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Forte's height-adjustable front passenger seat ensured proper leg support for all occupants. The GT Limited's ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control system added to passenger comfort. Rear seat headroom and legroom were impressive for a compact car, and the trunk offered 433 litres of cargo space, the largest in its segment. The rear seats could fold down to expand capacity, and a grab handle on the trunk lid made closing it easy.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied with the trim level. Base SE versions featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, six speakers, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a rear-view camera. The N Line and Ultimate Hybrid trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, and wireless charging for smartphones. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was seamless, and the Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new technology features for higher trims. A rear-seat USB port and remote engine starting capability were available on upper trims. The EX Premium trim or lower featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line and GT Limited trims came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect connected services. The Forte's infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition capabilities were hit-and-miss. The GT Limited featured an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with a comprehensive package of safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist. The N Line and Ultimate Hybrid trims featured Highway Driving Assist lane-centring assistance and a blind-spot view monitor. The Sonata received a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered safety features such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring on all trims except the base LX. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS for crashworthiness and driving assist systems, though the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall crash protection rating.