2023 Kia Forte vs 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2023 Kia Forte was a compact sedan that retained some of Kia's older design cues while incorporating newer styling elements. Its double-tab grille was a long-standing identifier of Kia models, complemented by converging angled cutouts that hinted at the latest design language. LED headlights and taillights were standard from the EX+ trim, while the GT trims added excitement with LED fog lights and bold red accents. The Forte's side and rear design were typical of its class, but its overall shape was more graceful than some competitors. The interior maintained Kia's older layout, with a touchscreen mounted atop the centre dash and traditional climate knobs below. Despite its age, the Forte's interior materials were notably nicer than its rivals, with less hard plastic and more soft-touch surfaces. Cloth seats were standard, with synthetic leather on GT models, and the rear seats featured more hard plastic for durability.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid, on the other hand, was often mistaken for a luxury sedan due to its sleek design reminiscent of the Audi A7. It was 7 centimetres longer than its predecessor, featuring a redesigned front grille and updated LED lighting. The new model had a more upright front grille, blacked-out LED headlights, and taillights spanning the rear width. The Accord's planted stance was accentuated by its long, flowing roofline. The Touring trim offered six exterior colours and 19-inch alloy wheels, with optional gloss-black HPD alloys. Inside, the Accord featured a new dashboard design and a standard digital instrument display. The Hybrid Touring boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen with features like Amazon Alexa, wireless device charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Canyon River Blue Metallic paint and black leather interior added to its upscale feel.

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 continuously variable transmission (CVT) that Kia called an intelligent variable transmission (IVT). The GT Limited trim upgraded to a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, available exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) in Canada. The base engine accelerated to 100 km/h in about 8.8 seconds, while the GT Limited achieved it in roughly 6.5 seconds. The GT Limited also featured a sport-tuned suspension, offering sportier handling and a comfortable ride despite its improved handling. The cabin was quiet, with some road noise, but overall, the Forte provided a pleasant driving experience.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower to the front wheels via a CVT. The Accord Hybrid's powertrain switched seamlessly between electric and gas power, providing smooth and efficient performance. It offered enough power for highway merges and passing maneuvers, with a suspension that absorbed road imperfections well. The regenerative braking system was enhanced with six levels of regen, making it easier for drivers to adjust. The Accord's agile handling made it relaxing to drive in various environments, and despite its increased length, it was easy to park in tight spots.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, with basic adjustments that still offered comfort on long drives. The dashboard and centre console layout placed controls within easy reach, and many functions could be operated without taking eyes off the road. Heated front seats and keyless entry were standard on the LX trim, with a heated steering wheel from the EX grade. The EX+ trim included a single-pane sunroof, and dual-zone climate control was standard from the EX Premium. The rear seats offered enough room for average-sized adults, with higher trims featuring separate air conditioning vents and a USB charge port. The trunk held up to 433 litres of cargo, with remote seatback releases for added space.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid's cabin adopted the layout used in Honda's Civic and CR-V models, featuring a strip of honeycomb mesh trim that hid the dash-mounted air vents. The infotainment screen was prominently placed atop the dashboard, with buttons and dials for climate control within easy reach. Heated and ventilated seats were standard on the Touring trim, with heated seats standard on all Canadian Accords. The Accord Hybrid had a traditional gearshift, providing a convenient spot to rest a hand when adjusting settings. The front seats offered excellent support and comfort, while the rear seats provided generous legroom and shoulder room. However, headroom was slightly limited by the sleek roofline. The trunk offered 473 litres of capacity, with a low load floor for easy access.

The 2023 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the GT-Line and GT Limited received a 10.25-inch display with navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included with all models, with a wireless charging pad available from the EX grade. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with a premium eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on the GT Limited. Kia Connect services were available from the EX Premium trim. The infotainment system featured sharp graphics and quick responses, with logical menu organization and helpful shortcuts. Despite a wireless phone integration issue in one test vehicle, the Forte's tech features were comparable to other cars in its class.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 7-inch touchscreen display and 10.2-inch digital instrument display in the standard non-hybrid model. The Hybrid upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen with intuitive menus and easy navigation. The Touring trim included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, Google Built-in with Google Assistant and Maps, Amazon Alexa, and a head-up display. A 12-speaker Bose audio system, HD radio, and four USB ports were also included, making the Accord Hybrid's tech offerings comprehensive and advanced.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, side, and rollover protection. Some base forward collision avoidance features did not meet the Administration's performance criteria, but available upgrades did. The IIHS awarded the Forte its highest score of "Good" in most evaluations, except for the updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests, which received "Poor" ratings. In Canada, most driver assistance features were available from the EX trim, including forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The EX Premium added advanced forward collision assist and adaptive cruise control, with Highway Driving Assist on the GT-Line and GT Limited.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of active safety features, including a multi-angle rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. The Accord Hybrid Touring added front and rear parking sensors and a head-up display. Honda's next-generation airbags and slimmer front A-pillars improved safety and visibility. The Accord Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests and high scores for headlights, crash avoidance, and child seat compatibility.