2023 Subaru WRX vs 2022 Kia Forte

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of six trim levels, with the GT Limited standing out for its sporty appeal and comprehensive features. This model was equipped with a Steel Grey paint finish, 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, giving it a distinct and appealing look. 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 Subaru WRX moved away from its Impreza roots, presenting a unique design with a wide-body look and signature hood scoop. The WRX's exterior styling was bold, with body cladding linking it to other Subaru models like the Crosstrek and Outback. The WRX maintained its performance car identity with 17-inch alloy wheels on base models and 18-inch wheels on higher trims. Inside, the WRX offered a basic yet durable interior, with the top Sport-Tech trim featuring Ultrasuede upholstery and red stitching. Despite its simplicity, the WRX's cabin was practical, though it lacked some modern conveniences like adequate smartphone storage.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited was powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 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's sport-tuned suspension and independent rear design provided a balanced ride, though the brakes struggled during demanding driving. The Forte GT Limited's fuel economy fell short of official ratings, averaging 9.1 L/100 km on a testing loop, but it excelled as a daily driver with its zippy performance and comfortable ride.

The 2023 Subaru WRX featured a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Subaru boxer engine, producing 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Unlike its mostly FWD competitors, the WRX offered AWD, with a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) CVT. The WRX's AWD system and summer tires provided excellent grip, while the CVT offered quick throttle responses. However, the WRX's driving experience was described as muted, with a quiet exhaust and laid-back steering, making it a competent but less exuberant performer.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited impressed with its spacious interior, featuring a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Forte's rear seat offered ample headroom and legroom, while the trunk provided 433 litres of cargo space, the largest in its segment. The Forte's practical design made it a comfortable choice for long road trips and daily commutes.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, as a compact sedan, offered practicality with slightly more front headroom and legroom than a Honda Civic Si. However, its 354-litre trunk was smaller than some competitors. The WRX's low window-sill lines and thin roof pillars provided excellent visibility, but the cabin lacked adequate smartphone storage. Despite this, the WRX remained a practical choice for those seeking a performance-oriented sedan with everyday usability.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new technology features, including a rear-seat USB port and remote engine starting on upper trims. The Forte GT Limited featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with SiriusXM satellite radio, voice recognition, and Kia Connect services. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, the voice recognition capabilities were hit-and-miss, leading to reliance on wired Apple CarPlay for navigation and music streaming.

The 2023 Subaru WRX's Starlink infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, with base models featuring dual 7-inch touchscreens and higher trims offering an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The larger screen was appreciated for its readability, though the lack of physical buttons and knobs was noted. The interface was mostly intuitive, but SiriusXM satellite radio took time to load, and voice recognition was not as advanced as some competitors.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of safety features, with higher trims including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring. The Forte's Highway Driving Assist system was well-executed, providing semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS for crashworthiness, though the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating due to concerns about rear passenger safety.

The 2023 Subaru WRX featured Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology, available with the CVT, adding adaptive cruise control, lane-centring, and forward collision warning. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The WRX received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, highlighting its strong safety credentials.