2022 Kia Forte vs 2023 Nissan Versa

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of six trim levels, with the GT Limited being the most feature-rich and sporty option. This model was equipped with a Steel Grey paint finish, carpeted floor mats, and an MSRP of $32,084, including a destination charge. The Forte GT Limited stood out with its sporty design, featuring red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and 18-inch wheels with a machined finish. The interior maintained a sporty aesthetic with traditional analog gauges, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and polished metal accents. The Forte's design updates for 2022 included a new grille, headlights, and bumpers, with brighter LED headlights available on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Versa adopted the design language of its larger siblings, the Sentra and Altima, giving it a more upscale appearance. The Versa featured a prominent V-Motion grille and a sleek profile, with wheel sizes ranging from 15-inch steel wheels on the base model to 17-inch alloy wheels on the SR trim. The 2023 model received styling updates, including a more elaborate grille and new wheel designs. Inside, the Versa's creative design included large round air vents and an elaborate dashboard. While the interior was primarily plastic, the fit and finish were commendable. The SR trim added red stitching and upholstery inserts, enhancing the car's appeal.

The 2022 Kia Forte's performance varied across trims. Most models featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or a CVT. The GT Limited trim, however, offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This trim also included a sport-tuned suspension and larger wheels, providing a more engaging driving experience. Despite its sporty nature, the GT Limited's brakes struggled during demanding driving, and its fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 9.1 L/100 km in testing.

The 2023 Nissan Versa, while not a performance-oriented vehicle, provided satisfactory performance for its class. All models were equipped with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The Versa's handling was characterized by noticeable body roll but impressive grip, making it a competent daily driver. The ride quality was comfortable, and the cabin remained relatively quiet. Overall, the Versa felt more substantial than typical subcompact cars, offering a pleasant driving experience for its segment.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited excelled in interior comfort and space. It featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The rear seat offered ample headroom and legroom, and the trunk boasted a generous 433 litres of cargo space. The Forte's interior was well-suited for long journeys, with thoughtful features like a height-adjustable front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents.

The 2023 Nissan Versa, available only as a sedan, offered respectable trunk space, with 416 litres in the base S trim and 425 litres in higher trims. While the Versa provided more front-seat headroom and legroom than the Kia, it fell short in rear-seat space. The front row felt spacious, and visibility was aided by a low dashboard. However, storage options were limited, with a small centre console bin and a raised shifter platform.

The 2022 Kia Forte introduced new technology features, including a rear-seat USB port and remote engine starting on higher trims. The infotainment system varied by trim, with lower trims offering an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch display with additional features but required a wired connection. The system was user-friendly, though voice recognition capabilities were hit-and-miss.

The 2023 Nissan Versa's base S trim included a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Siri Eyes Free. Higher trims added Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The SR trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system. While the tech offerings were comprehensive, the touchscreens felt small, and the graphics appeared outdated. The digital instrument cluster display added a touch of sophistication.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of safety features, with higher trims including forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist. The IIHS rated the Forte's crashworthiness highly, but the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating due to concerns about rear passenger safety.

The 2023 Nissan Versa impressed with its standard driver-assist tech, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and high beam assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The NHTSA awarded the Versa a five-star overall safety rating, with strong performance in side-impact crash testing.