2022 Kia Forte vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, having been around since its current generation launched in 2019, aimed to shed Toyota's reputation for blandness with its bold exterior design. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it didn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesive design of the Honda Civic. The Corolla offered different styling elements across its trim levels, with the SE and XSE models sporting an aggressive front fascia. The Nightshade Edition added blacked-out trim, while the Apex Edition included a subtle body kit and unique 18-inch wheels. Despite its attempts at a sporty appearance, the interior remained simple, with standard cloth upholstery and optional SofTex leatherette on higher trims. The fit and finish were typical of Toyota's high standards, although the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Forte offered six trim levels, with the GT Limited being the most performance-oriented. The Forte received updates for 2022, including a new grille, headlights, and bumpers, with the GT-Line and GT Limited trims featuring sportier looks. The GT Limited stood out with red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Forte's interior was nearly identical to the previous year's model, with a sporty look featuring analog gauges, a thick-rimmed steering wheel, and polished metal accents. The GT Limited's interior was dressed up with seat perforations and stitching that gave it a Germanic appearance. Overall, the Forte's design updates and sporty elements made it an attractive option for those seeking a more dynamic look.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE models were equipped with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models, along with the Apex Edition, featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The Apex Edition also included a sport exhaust system. A CVT was standard with the smaller engine, while the 2.0-litre engine offered a six-speed manual gearbox with rev matching or a CVT with paddle shifters. All Corolla models were front-wheel drive. The Apex Edition's manual transmission and sport-tuned suspension enhanced its handling, making it more nimble than other Corolla models, though it wasn't a full-fledged performance model.

The 2022 Kia Forte, except for the GT Limited trim, carried over its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine from the previous year, producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The GT Limited trim, however, featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GT Limited also offered Smart, Normal, and Sport driving modes, along with a sport-tuned suspension and larger 18-inch alloy wheels. The Forte GT Limited delivered effortless acceleration and a good blend of ride and handling characteristics, though it wasn't an outright performance sedan. The brakes, however, were not up to the task of demanding driving, and the engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable. Despite these flaws, the Forte GT Limited was a fun and zippy commuter.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered headroom and legroom similar to the Honda Civic, with a low beltline aiding visibility. However, the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard affected forward visibility. The driver's seat was positioned for optimal comfort, though long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla's 371 litres of cargo space was less than competitors, but it included a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. The interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin centre console and shallow cupholders.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited came with 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. The GT Limited also featured a dual-zone automatic climate control system and rear air conditioning vents. Rear seat headroom and legroom were impressive for a compact car, and the trunk offered 433 litres of cargo space, the largest in its segment. The rear seats folded down to expand capacity, and a grab handle on the trunk lid made closing it easy.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age. A 7-inch touchscreen was standard on the base model, while other trims received an 8-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with a nine-speaker JBL audio system available on higher trims. The interface was user-friendly, but the graphics looked dated, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not offered. The Corolla lacked novel tech features like Hyundai's Digital Key.

The 2022 Kia Forte introduced new technology features for higher trims, including a rear-seat USB port and remote engine starting. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available on lower trims with an 8-inch touchscreen. The GT-Line and GT Limited trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with additional features, though a cable was required for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Forte's infotainment system was intuitive, with a power/volume knob and a tuning/zoom knob. However, the voice recognition system was hit-and-miss, and the graphics required some acclimation.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It came with eight airbags and a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of safety features, with most trims including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS, though testing of the revised LED headlights was incomplete. The NHTSA gave the Forte a four-star overall crash protection rating, with concerns about rear passenger injury in a side impact.