2023 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Kia Forte

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of six trim levels, with the GT Limited standing out for its sporty appearance and comprehensive features. This model was equipped with Steel Grey paint, carpeted floor mats, and a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $32,084, including a destination charge. The Forte GT Limited boasted a new grille, headlights, and bumpers, along with exclusive red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and 18-inch wheels, which enhanced its sporty aesthetic. Inside, the Forte GT Limited featured a sporty interior with traditional analog gauges, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and polished metal accents, providing a Germanic touch to its design.

In contrast, the 2023 MINI Cooper was available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or two-door convertible, maintaining its iconic design reminiscent of the original 1959 Mini. The MINI Cooper JCW model featured a gradient paint effect and 18-inch wheels with red brake calipers, giving it a playful and distinctive look. The interior of the MINI Cooper was slightly more mature, with Chesterfield leather seats and a unique dashboard design featuring a giant circular touchscreen and toggle switches. Despite its playful design, the MINI Cooper's interior maintained high fit and finish quality, offering a unique driving experience.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited was powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, offering Smart, Normal, and Sport driving modes. The GT Limited featured a sport-tuned suspension and larger 18-inch alloy wheels, providing a blend of ride and handling characteristics. However, the brakes were not up to the task during demanding driving, and the engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable. The Forte GT Limited's fuel economy was also below expectations, averaging 9.1 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, delivering 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine, shared with certain BMW models, provided smooth revving and strong performance. The JCW model featured a six-speed manual transmission with abrupt clutch take-up and long throws, offering an engaging driving experience. The JCW's handling was enjoyable, with flat cornering and impressive brakes, although the steering lacked immediacy. The JCW's fuel economy was rated at 10.7/7.5/9.3 L/100 km with the manual transmission, reflecting its focus on power.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited offered a comfortable interior with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The rear seat provided good headroom and legroom, and the trunk offered 433 litres of cargo space, the largest in its segment. The Forte's interior was well-suited for long trips, with features like dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air conditioning vents.

The 2023 MINI Cooper provided good outward visibility and ample front seat space, but the rear bench in the two-door model was cramped. The cargo hold measured just 254 litres, expanding to 962 litres with the seats folded. The convertible model offered 226 litres of cargo space, with a unique tailgate design for easier access. The MINI's interior featured a matte-finish instrument panel and a touchscreen infotainment system with a glowing ring that responded to driver inputs.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new technology features, including a rear-seat USB port and remote engine starting capability. The EX Premium trim and lower offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while the GT-Line and GT Limited featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with additional features. The Forte's infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition capabilities were hit-and-miss.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system used reskinned BMW iDrive software, offering features like an Openometer and a MINI checkup. However, the system lacked the slick interface of newer BMW models, and Android Auto was unavailable.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist, providing a semi-autonomous driving experience. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS, but the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating due to concerns about rear passenger injury in a side impact.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with eight airbags, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and semi-automated driving assist features. The NHTSA had not rated the 2023 model, but the IIHS gave the structurally identical 2014 model high ratings in most crash tests.