2023 Kia Forte vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its stunning appearance from the previous year's complete makeover, continuing to impress with its sleek design. Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, the S-Class stood as a testament to the enduring appeal of luxury sedans. Its lineage traced back to the 1954 "Ponton" models, and the current W223 generation maintained its status as Mercedes-Benz's flagship sedan. The exterior was characterized by a long, elegant profile, with a distinctive Mercedes-Benz grille and star hood ornament, while the interior boasted high-quality materials and a sophisticated dashboard layout.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Forte, a compact sedan, carried forward some of Kia's older design cues while incorporating newer styling elements. The double-tab grille and LED lighting were notable features, with the GT trims adding sporty accents. The Forte's design was more typical of its class, yet it managed to present a graceful shape. Inside, the Forte retained a traditional layout with a touchscreen atop the dash and physical controls, offering a modern yet user-friendly experience. The interior materials were of higher quality than many rivals, with soft-touch surfaces and convincing synthetic leather upholstery in the GT models.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was engineered for both executive commuting and weekend driving pleasure. The S500 model featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder engine with EQ Boost, delivering 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft from the electric motor. The S580 model offered a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, also enhanced by EQ Boost. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. Despite their weight, the S500 and S580 accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 and 4.4 seconds, respectively, with impressive handling and braking. Fuel consumption was 11.4 L/100 km city/8.0 highway/9.9 combined for the S500 and 14.3 L/100 km city/9.5 highway/12.2 combined for the S580.

The 2023 Kia Forte offered two engine choices: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT, and a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 hp and 132 lb-ft, available with a seven-speed DCT in the GT Limited trim. The base engine accelerated to 100 km/h in about 8.8 seconds, while the GT Limited achieved it in 6.5 seconds. The GT Limited also featured a sport-tuned suspension, enhancing its handling. The CVT in the base model felt less powerful, but the DCT in the GT Limited provided better power delivery. The Forte's handling was sporty, with precise steering, and the ride quality was comfortable despite the sport-tuned suspension.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled in providing a luxurious and spacious cabin. It featured powered sun blinds, a Panorama Sunroof, and a 510-litre trunk. The interior was equipped with six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply. The front seats offered rapid-heating, active multicontour features, and various comfort options. The Executive Rear Seating package in the S580 catered to chauffeured passengers with reclining seats and additional controls. The S-Class's doors opened wide, but soft-close functionality prevented slamming. The warranty covered four years/80,000 kilometres.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space and comfort, with heated seats and keyless entry standard. The dashboard layout was user-friendly, and higher trims offered a sunroof and dual-zone climate control. The Forte included a rubberized phone tray, wireless charging, and various storage options. Rear seats accommodated average-sized adults comfortably, with heated seats and air vents in higher trims. The trunk offered 433 litres of cargo space, with remote seatback releases for added convenience.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen with MBUX infotainment, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel. Optional features included a 3D instrument cluster, augmented video for navigation, and an augmented reality head-up display. The Burmester 3D Surround sound system was standard, with an available 4D system. The S-Class also featured EQ Boost and rear-axle steering for enhanced performance.

The 2023 Kia Forte came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 10.25-inch display and navigation in higher trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging available from the EX grade. The GT Limited featured a premium Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and quick responses. Kia Connect services were available from the EX Premium trim.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was loaded with safety features, including Magic Vision Control, adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, and active brake assist. Pre-Safe systems prepared the vehicle for imminent collisions, and car-to-x communication shared road condition warnings. Rear-passenger airbags and seat belt bags were available for added safety.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with some base collision avoidance features not meeting performance criteria. The IIHS awarded it "Good" in most evaluations, except for "Poor" in updated tests. In Canada, most safety features were available from the EX trim, including forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The EX Premium added advanced collision assist and adaptive cruise control, with Highway Driving Assist on the GT-Line and GT Limited.