2023 Kia Forte vs 2023 Acura Integra

The 2023 Acura Integra was designed with a cohesive aesthetic that aligned with Acura's larger models, such as the TLX sedan and the RDX and MDX crossovers. Its pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased character lines contributed to a modern look that was both distinctive and familiar within the Acura family. The Integra replaced the ILX compact sedan, offering a five-door liftback design that set it apart from its predecessor. The embossed "Integra" name on the car's corners was a nod to its heritage, while its wide track and long wheelbase gave it a solid, planted appearance. In Canada, the Integra was available in three trims: base, A-Spec, and Elite A-Spec, each with performance all-season tires and varying wheel sizes. The interior shared some similarities with the Honda Civic but maintained a unique feel with features like honeycomb grilles and high-quality HVAC controls. The Elite A-Spec trim added microsuede inserts, though the lack of ventilated seats was a drawback. While not as refined as German luxury competitors, the Integra was well-constructed and offered a premium feel.

The 2023 Kia Forte retained some of Kia's older design cues while incorporating newer styling elements. Its double-tab grille and angled cutouts were familiar, while LED headlights and taillights became standard from the EX+ trim. The GT trims added sporty touches like LED fog lights and red accents. The Forte's design was typical for its class, but its overall shape was more graceful than some competitors. Wheel sizes varied across trims, with the GT Limited featuring 18-inch sport alloy wheels. Inside, the Forte's layout was traditional, with a touchscreen atop the dash and physical climate controls below. The interior materials were of higher quality than many rivals, with soft-touch surfaces and sturdy construction. Cloth seats were standard, with synthetic leather on GT models. The rear seats had more hard plastic for durability, but the Forte's cabin remained competitive against newer sedans.

The 2023 Acura Integra marked a first for the model with its turbocharged engine. The 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine delivered 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, providing a lively driving experience. The Elite A-Spec trim offered a six-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential, while lower trims came with a CVT. The manual transmission featured automatic rev-matching, making downshifting smooth and easy. The Integra's handling was impressive, with a firm suspension and a wide track that provided a sporty ride. The variable-ratio electric power-steering system adjusted the steering feel based on wheel position, offering a natural feel on highways and sharp handling in corners. The Integra offered three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—plus an individual mode, with Sport mode enhancing the car's performance characteristics.

The 2023 Kia Forte offered two engine choices. The base engine was a 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The GT Limited trim featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The base engine provided adequate performance, while the GT Limited offered more excitement and a sport-tuned suspension. The Forte's handling was sportier than expected, with precise steering and a comfortable ride. The GT Limited's dual-clutch transmission was responsive but could be jumpy at lower speeds. Despite its sport-tuned suspension, the Forte maintained a comfortable ride quality, though road noise was noticeable.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design enhanced its practicality, offering 688 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats. However, the high lift-over height made loading heavy items challenging. The interior provided ample space for front passengers, with a logical dashboard layout and convenient storage options. Rear passengers had decent legroom, but headroom was limited due to the sloped roofline. The rear seat cushions were notably soft, adding to passenger comfort.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats offered ample space for taller passengers, with a comfortable driver's seat and a well-organized dashboard layout. Heated front seats and keyless entry were standard, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and sunroof available on higher trims. The rear seats provided enough room for average-sized adults, with separate air conditioning vents and a USB charge port on higher trims. The trunk offered 433 litres of cargo space, slightly more than some competitors, with remote seatback releases for added convenience.

The 2023 Acura Integra came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Elite A-Spec trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display, and a wireless charging pad. The ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers was a highlight, offering superior sound quality compared to the standard 8-speaker system.

The 2023 Kia Forte featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on lower trims, with a 10.25-inch display and onboard navigation on the GT-Line and GT Limited. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a wireless charging pad available from the EX grade. The GT Limited included a premium eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and quick responses, though wireless phone integration was inconsistent in testing.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a high standard for safety equipment, with features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more included as standard. The Elite A-Spec trim added low-speed braking control and parking sensors. The Integra received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with some base forward collision features not meeting performance criteria. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most tests, but "Poor" in updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests. In Canada, most safety features were available from the EX trim, with additional features on higher trims.