2020 Kia Forte vs 2019 Hyundai Elantra

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra received a significant facelift, featuring new styling elements forward of the windshield and front doors, redesigned wheels, and a revamped trunk lid, taillights, and rear bumper. While the previous model had a more conservative and upscale look, the 2019 version adopted a more geometric and kaleidoscopic design, which may not have been as universally appealing. Inside, subtle changes improved the interior, with new air vents, carbon-texture plastic housings, updated gauges, and revised dashboard controls. The interior quality was high, with a robust shifter and tightly assembled parts, although some materials felt inexpensive.

In contrast, the 2020 Kia Forte GT sported a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission, sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust, larger front brakes, and 18-inch wheels. Its styling modifications, including revised bumpers, a black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets, gave it a sleeper look that was both tasteful and grown-up. Inside, the Forte GT featured complimentary surface tones and textures, soft-touch materials, red seat piping, a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, and gloss black trim with metallic accents. The transmission shifter felt solid, adding to the car's sense of quality.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra was equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. While acceleration was acceptable, the driving dynamics were not particularly inspiring. The car offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Sport adding unwelcome weight to the steering. The Elantra achieved an EPA rating of 32 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it returned 29.3 mpg on a modified loop and 32.4 mpg over a week. Handling was decent, with no significant praise or criticism for the steering and brakes, but the ride quality could be busy due to the torsion-beam rear-axle suspension.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine delivering 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) was well-behaved, providing a smooth driving experience. The Forte GT also offered a 6-speed manual gearbox option, which included many GT2 package features. The car came with a sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, larger front brakes, and 18-inch wheels. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter adapting to driving behavior. The Forte GT's turbocharged engine and well-calibrated DCT made it enjoyable to drive, with firm yet connected ride quality and responsive brakes. The car excelled in handling, especially on curvy roads, thanks to its precise steering and suspension.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra offered good front-seat comfort, with height-adjustable seats for both the driver and front passenger. Most trims included heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, backseat comfort was less impressive, with hard plastic front seatbacks and no air conditioning vents or USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a good-size center-console bin, sizable glove box, and door panel bins. The trunk provided 14.4 cubic feet of space, and most trims featured a hands-free Smart Trunk release.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT came with front sport seats featuring cloth inserts and Sofino simulated leather bolsters, with full Sofino leatherette seats available in the GT2 Package or manual transmission models. The 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats added to the comfort. The backseat offered good support and air conditioning vents, although the hard plastic front seatbacks were unfriendly to knees. The Forte GT also featured Smart Trunk technology, providing a hands-free trunk release. The trunk offered a roomy 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, and interior storage was generous, with a wireless smartphone charging pad, door panel storage, and a large glovebox.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra, except for the base SE, came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Limited trim included an Infinity premium sound system, and the Ultimate Package added an 8-inch display, navigation, and SiriusXM Data Services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a good balance of knobs and buttons. The Elantra also offered a 3-year trial subscription to Blue Link services, providing a range of safety and convenience functions.

The 2020 Kia Forte featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a reversing camera. The EX and GT trims included SiriusXM satellite radio and connected services through Kia’s UVO technology. The GT2 Package added an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, which performed well despite the car's ambient noise. The Forte's infotainment system was easy to use, with stereo knobs and menu shortcut buttons reducing the need for screen interaction.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra included important driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems starting with the SEL trim, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Limited trim added adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlights, and a Safe Exit system. The Elantra received top marks from the IIHS, except for an Acceptable rating for LATCH anchor accessibility. The NHTSA gave it a 4-star overall rating.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick according to the IIHS and came with numerous advanced driving assistance systems. The GT with the GT2 Package included all available safety features, although 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 featured 911 Connect and programmable alerts for speed, curfew, and geographical boundaries.