2023 Kia Forte vs 2022 Kia Forte

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of six trim levels, each catering to different preferences and budgets. The GT Limited trim, evaluated for this review, stood out with its sporty aesthetics, featuring red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and 18-inch wheels with a machined finish. The exterior updates for 2022 included a new grille, headlights, and bumpers, with the GT-Line and GT Limited receiving additional enhancements like new fog lights and taillights. Inside, the Forte GT Limited boasted a sporty interior with a flat-bottom steering wheel, polished metal accents, and a revised centre console. The use of simulated leather in the GT-Line and GT Limited added a touch of sophistication to the cabin.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Forte retained some of Kia's older design cues while incorporating newer styling elements. The double-tab grille and LED headlights and taillights were notable features, with the GT trims adding bold red accents. The interior maintained Kia's older layout, with a touchscreen mounted atop the dash and traditional climate controls. Despite its age, the Forte's interior materials remained competitive, offering soft-touch surfaces and sturdy construction. The GT Limited trim featured synthetic leather upholstery on sport seats, providing a more substantial feel compared to competitors. Overall, the 2023 Forte's design was graceful, with a focus on practicality and comfort.

The 2022 Kia Forte carried over its mechanical components from the previous year, with most trims featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The GT Limited trim, however, offered a more exhilarating experience with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, delivering 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, providing a spirited driving experience. The GT Limited also featured a sport-tuned suspension, larger alloy wheels, and a sport-tuned exhaust, enhancing its performance capabilities. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the GT Limited's brakes were a concern during demanding driving conditions, and its fuel economy fell short of expectations.

For 2023, the Kia Forte offered two engine choices: a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 horsepower for the GT Limited trim. The base engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission, while the GT Limited featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GT Limited's sport-tuned suspension and improved handling made it a more exciting option for performance enthusiasts. However, the dual-clutch transmission could be jumpy at lower speeds, and the steering lacked feedback. Despite these drawbacks, the GT Limited's ride quality was comfortable, and the cabin remained relatively quiet.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited offered a comfortable and spacious interior, with features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The height-adjustable front passenger seat ensured comfort for all occupants, while the dual-zone automatic climate control system and rear air conditioning vents kept passengers cool. The rear seats provided ample headroom and legroom, and the trunk offered 433 litres of cargo space, making it one of the largest in its segment.

In 2023, the Kia Forte continued to provide ample space for passengers, with comfortable front seats and a well-organized dashboard layout. Heated front seats and keyless entry were standard on the LX trim, while higher trims offered additional features like a heated steering wheel and dual-zone climate control. The rear seats provided sufficient room for average-sized adults, with higher trims offering heated rear seats and separate air conditioning vents. The trunk maintained its 433-litre capacity, providing ample space for cargo, although the cargo floor's flimsy fabric covering was a minor drawback.

The 2022 Kia Forte introduced new technology features, including a rear-seat USB port and remote engine starting capability on upper trims. The infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity on lower trims, while the GT-Line and GT Limited featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with additional features like SiriusXM satellite radio and Kia Connect services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, although the voice recognition capabilities were hit-and-miss.

In 2023, the Kia Forte continued to offer a range of tech features, with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen standard on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on the GT-Line and GT Limited. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included across all models, with a wireless charging pad available on higher trims. The infotainment system featured sharp graphics and quick responses, with logical menu organization and helpful shortcuts. However, wireless phone integration was problematic in the test vehicle, although this was considered an anomaly.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of safety features, with most trims including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The GT Limited trim added adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist, providing a semi-autonomous driving experience. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS for crashworthiness, although the NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall crash protection rating due to concerns about rear passenger injury in a side impact.

In 2023, the Kia Forte received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with some base forward collision avoidance features flagged as not meeting performance criteria. The IIHS awarded the Forte its highest score of "Good" in most evaluations, although it received a "Poor" rating in updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests. Most driver assistance features were available from the EX trim, with higher trims offering advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist.