2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Kia Forte

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta underwent a subtle makeover, featuring an updated engine, minor exterior styling tweaks, and enhanced infotainment. It was available in three trims in Canada: Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline, with the Highline being the focus of this review. The exterior changes were so understated that they required a keen eye to notice, akin to distinguishing one black suitcase from another at baggage claim. The front fascia, bumper, and grille received more chrome, while the rear bumper became more squared. New wheel designs and metallic colours like Kings Red, Oryx White, and Rising Blue were introduced. Inside, the Jetta's updates were equally subtle, with new seat patterns and contrast stitching adding a premium touch. The Highline trim offered a two-tone leather interior option and a standard heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster became standard, with the Highline featuring a 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and an 8-inch touchscreen-navigation system.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered six trim levels, with the GT Limited being the most feature-rich and fun to drive. The GT Limited came with Steel Grey paint and a price of $32,084, including a destination charge. The Forte received a new grille, headlights, and bumpers, with fresh wheel designs for the GT-Line and GT Limited. The GT Limited boasted red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and larger 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Forte's interior remained similar to the previous year, with a 4.2-inch driver information display and a revised centre console. The GT Limited featured a sporty look with analog gauges, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and Germanic-inspired seat patterns. However, the intricate wheel design was challenging to clean, and the paddle shifters were not particularly rewarding to use.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It replaced the previous 1.4-litre engine, offering a slight increase in horsepower. Transmission options included a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 8-speed automatic, with front-wheel drive being the only drivetrain available. The Jetta's fuel economy was impressive, with estimates of 8.0 L/100 km city, 5.5 highway, and 6.9 combined for the manual, and 7.7 L/100 km city, 5.7 highway, and 6.8 combined for the automatic. On a long road trip, the Jetta averaged 5.0 L/100 km on the highway. The Jetta offered a comfortable ride, though the powertrain had some drawbacks, such as a touchy throttle and turbo lag. The drive modes included Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom, with Sport mode providing a slight improvement in performance.

The 2022 Kia Forte, except for the GT Limited trim, featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The GT Limited, however, offered a more exciting driving experience with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine producing 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and paddle shifters. The GT Limited also had a sport-tuned suspension and larger 18-inch wheels. The Forte's driving modes included Smart, Normal, and Sport, with the GT Limited providing a good blend of ride and handling. However, the brakes were not up to the task during demanding driving, and the engine noise was noticeable at highway speeds. The GT Limited's fuel economy was below expectations, averaging 9.1 L/100 km during testing, though it performed well as a daily driver.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, offered ample passenger space for four adults, with the possibility of accommodating five. The seats were comfortable, though the front seat's bottom cushion had a slight incline that might not suit shorter individuals. The cabin was driver-centric, with easily accessible buttons for climate control, audio, and seat controls. Storage space was available in the form of door pockets, a centre console bin, and a sunglass holder. However, the centre storage bin lacked a latch, which was unusual.

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 Forte's interior was comfortable for long trips, with a height-adjustable front passenger seat 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 could also fold down to expand capacity.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received technology upgrades, including a Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The Comfortline and Highline models featured an 8-inch infotainment system, while the Highline had a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The infotainment system allowed for Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and MirrorLink integration, with Bluetooth and USB-C ports as standard. The Jetta Highline also offered premium Beats Audio sound and a remote start system.

The 2022 Kia Forte introduced new technology features, such as a rear-seat USB port and remote engine starting capability. The EX Premium trim and lower offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity with an 8-inch touchscreen. The GT-Line and GT Limited featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with additional features like SiriusXM satellite radio and Kia Connect services. Most trims included wireless smartphone charging and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Forte's infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition capabilities were inconsistent.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came with standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the Comfortline trim, along with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to an Acceptable score in the side crash test and Marginal to Poor headlight ratings.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered more safety technology, with forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more as standard on most trims. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS for crashworthiness and driving assist systems, though headlight testing was incomplete. The NHTSA gave the Forte a four-star overall crash protection rating, with concerns about rear passenger injury in a side impact.