2019 Honda Civic vs 2020 Kia Forte

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as stylish as the 2019 Mazda3, still brought its own brand of upscale style. It featured a new gloss-black upper grille, a revised lower bumper, and larger 18-inch wheels. The sedan's silhouette was graceful, with a long hood balancing a sizable cabin and short tail, which featured unique wraparound LED lights. The Touring-trim test car came with chrome door handles and LED headlights that looked like hundreds of tiny crystals. For 2019, Honda added a new Sport trim with a center-mounted exhaust and some exterior flash of the performance-oriented Si trim for thousands of dollars less.

The Civic Hatchback had a tall and aggressive rear end, while the Coupe model offered a more balanced alternative. The max-attack Civic Type R, available only in hatchback form, was essentially a race car. The interior maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme, with a central LCD screen for the tachometer and speedometer, a thin center stack with minimal buttons, and clean, linear lines. Despite a starting price under $20,000, the Civic's fit and finish felt high quality, with switchgear, buttons, and fabrics that seemed built to last.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT, new for 2020, included a turbocharged engine, a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a sport-tuned suspension, and active exhaust. Styling modifications like revised bumpers, a black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets gave it a tasteful and grown-up look. Inside, the Forte GT featured complimentary surface tones and textures, soft-touch materials, red seat piping, and interior stitching. A flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters and gloss black trim with polished metallic accents added to its modern look. The transmission shifter felt solid, imparting a sense of quality every time the car was driven.

The Forte GT's interior comfort was excellent, with proper thigh support, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and soft armrest pads. The backseat offered good comfort with a tall cushion and a comfortable backrest angle. Kia's Smart Trunk technology provided a hands-free system that recognized the key fob and popped the trunk, revealing a roomy 15.3 cubic-foot cargo area. Interior storage was generous, with a wireless smartphone charging pad, storage in the door panels, center console, and a large glovebox.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engines. The LX and Sport sedans and coupes came with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The sedans had a standard 6-speed manual transmission, while the coupe's manual was standard only on the Sport. EX and above trims received a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hatchback exclusively featured the turbo engine, making 180 hp in the Hatchback Sport with a standard manual transmission. The Si and Type R models offered more power, with the Si boosting the 1.5-liter engine to 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, and the Type R producing 306 hp and 295 lb-ft from a heavily boosted 2.0-liter engine.

The Civic's engines delivered smoothness and refinement, with the turbo engine offering better mid-range acceleration. The manuals were praised for their near-perfect clutch and shifter engagement, while the CVT was impressive for not straining the engine at high revs or lugging it at low revs. The Civic's handling was superb, with excellent steering feel, a suspension that soaked up bumps while keeping body roll in check, and strong brakes. The Civic was set up for sportier drivers but remained comfortable and reliable for everyday use.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 195 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm. This was a significant step up from the 147-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder used in other Fortes. A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) delivered power to the front wheels, and the DCT was well-behaved, exhibiting minimal hesitation. The Forte GT with a 6-speed manual gearbox cost more but included many GT2 option package features.

The Forte GT featured a sport-tuned suspension, sport-tuned active exhaust system, bigger front brakes, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart. The turbocharged engine provided ample power, and the DCT's gear selection was telepathic. The Forte GT offered a firm, connected ride quality, with a sport exhaust that burbled with each transmission upshift. Brake response was immediate, and steering effort felt natural in Normal mode. The Forte GT excelled on curvy roads, remaining glued to the pavement and conveying critical data to the driver. However, its nose-heavy weight bias and brake fade during hard driving were noted.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior featured a touchscreen with a volume knob and five shortcut buttons, making it easier to use than previous models. The three-spoke steering wheel controlled the central display in the instrument panel, providing quick access to various functions. The rear seat offered surprising roominess, with optional two-stage heated outboard seats. Cargo space was significant, with 15.1 cubic feet in the trunk for sedans (14.7 cubic feet for the Touring trim), 11.9 to 12.1 cubic feet for the coupe, and up to 25.7 cubic feet for the hatchback. The center console offered ample storage, and visibility was good in all directions.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT's front sport seats with cloth inserts and Sofino simulated leather bolsters were standard, with full Sofino leatherette available with the GT2 Package or manual transmission. The 10-way power adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats provided excellent comfort. The backseat offered good support and air conditioning vents. Kia's Smart Trunk technology provided a hands-free system that recognized the key fob and popped the trunk, revealing a roomy 15.3 cubic-foot cargo area. Interior storage was generous, with a wireless smartphone charging pad, storage in the door panels, center console, and a large glovebox.

The 2019 Honda Civic's Android-based infotainment system was good in 2016 but had since been outclassed by newer Honda interfaces. The system looked dated and was slower, but Honda's Garmin-based navigation was a standout with better graphics and quick, accurate voice-based input. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were redeeming features, and the 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo on the Touring trim was improved. Honda's LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot, enhancing safety.

The 2020 Kia Forte featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a reversing camera. The Forte EX and GT included SiriusXM satellite radio and connected services through Kia’s Your Voice (UVO) technology. The GT2 Package added an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, which sounded better than the standard setup but struggled with ambient noise.

The 2019 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing as standard on all trims except the Si and Type R. This included forward-collision alert with emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The IIHS rated various 2016–2018 Civic models with its top Good rating in all six crash tests and Superior for crash-prevention features. The NHTSA awarded the 2019 Civic five stars in all categories, except for four stars for the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash rating.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick according to the IIHS and came with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The GT with the GT2 Package included all ADAS features, though the automatic emergency braking system worked only at lower speeds, and the adaptive cruise control did not bring the car to a full stop. The lane-keeping and lane-centering assist systems worked well but required hands on the steering wheel. The Forte GT also included 911 Connect and programmable alerts for speed, curfew, and geographical boundaries.