2023 Kia Forte vs 2023 Toyota Corolla 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, yet its overall shape was more graceful than some competitors. The interior maintained Kia's older layout, with a touchscreen mounted atop the 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 the GT models, offering a more substantial feel than the thin vinyl-like coverings in a Toyota Corolla.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid received notable updates, including a new AWD option standard on all trims except the base LE. The hybrid system saw a power increase, and all models received a subtle style refresh. The Corolla Hybrid was attractively styled, with a sculpted front end featuring wraparound headlights and sharp creases. The big trapezoidal grille added sporty character, while the side and tail were more conventional. Inside, the Corolla Hybrid was minimal in design, with an abundance of hard plastics. The XSE trim added SofTex synthetic leather, but the Corolla fell short compared to the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, and Mazda 3. The Corolla Hybrid's design was adequate, focusing on efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

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 featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine 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 the Forte to 100 km/h in about 8.8 seconds, while the GT Limited achieved it in roughly 6.5 seconds. The GT Limited also boasted a sport-tuned suspension, offering sportier handling. Despite the sport-tuned suspension, the GT Limited's ride quality remained comfortable, with road noise comparable to other sedans in its class.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid featured a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with hybrid drive, producing 134 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque. This was an increase of 13 hp and 10 lb-ft over its predecessor. A CVT sent power to the front wheels, with an additional 40-hp electric motor providing on-demand AWD. The hybrid powertrain responded quickly from a standstill, but power built slowly, taking around nine seconds to reach 100 km/h. The engine laboured with a loud drone when pushed, and passing slower traffic required a lengthy foot-to-the-floor exercise. The Corolla Hybrid's handling was adequate, but not particularly fun in curves. Larger road imperfections sent impacts into the cabin, though smaller ones were smoothed over. Road noise was present but not intrusive.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, with basic adjustments offering comfort on long drives. The dashboard and centre console layout placed controls within easy reach. 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, slightly more than the Honda Civic and Mazda 3 sedans.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid offered ample space up front, though long-limbed drivers might find the steering wheel's reach insufficient. The large windows provided excellent visibility. The cloth upholstery and SofTex faux leather in the XSE Hybrid trim breathed well, though some springs were felt through the seat cushion. The cockpit's simplicity was approachable, with well-placed steering-wheel buttons and basic climate controls. Interior storage was adequate, with a small plastic tray for phones, two cupholders, a centre armrest bin, and narrow door pockets. The trunk capacity maxed out at 371 litres, with rear seats folding for more capacity, though not flat with the floor.

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. The infotainment system featured sharp graphics and quick responses, with logical menu organization and helpful shortcuts.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid featured an 8-inch multimedia touchscreen with upgrades for 2023. Physical shortcut buttons were replaced with on-screen controls, and the system responded quickly to inputs. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard, with improved voice commands activated by saying, "Hey Toyota". The system included over-the-air software updates and could pair two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. However, the JBL audio system available in the U.S. was not offered in Canada.

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 all evaluations except for the updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests, which received "Poor". In Canada, most driver assistance features were not standard and came in at the EX trim, including forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid received a five-out-of-five-star overall score from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover protection. The IIHS had not published specific results for the Corolla Hybrid, but the standard 2022 Corolla sedan received its top score of "good" across the board and was named a Top Safety Pick+. All Corolla Hybrids came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including frontal collision warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a blind-spot monitor.