2019 Honda Civic vs 2019 Kia Forte

The 2019 Kia Forte presented a fresh design that, at first glance, might have seemed like a mere facelift but was actually an all-new generation. It retained its familiar jellybean-like shape and a front-end design that was both plucky and slightly menacing. The side profile featured a subtle swoop, while the rear quarter windows and flatter, lower windowsills added a modern touch. The Forte drew inspiration from the sporty Kia Stinger, evident in its powerful grille, futuristic headlights, and aggressive lower-grille design. Inside, the Forte's cabin was contemporary and high-tech, with a simple layout influenced by the Stinger, featuring a sport steering wheel and a floating touchscreen. The instrument panel's crisp look bore hints of Audi's design, a nod to Kia's head of design, Peter Schreyer, who previously worked at Audi. The Forte offered various trims, each with a range of features, from the entry-level FE with standard safety features to the range-topping EX, which included luxury touches like leatherette upholstery and a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat.

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as stylish as the Mazda3, brought its own upscale flair with a new gloss-black upper grille, revised lower bumper, and larger 18-inch wheels. Its graceful silhouette was compared to an Audi A7, with a long hood balancing the sizable cabin and short tail. The Touring trim featured chrome door handles and LED headlights resembling tiny crystals. Honda introduced a new Sport trim with a center-mounted exhaust, offering some of the Si trim's exterior flash at a lower price. The Civic Hatchback, with its tall and aggressive rear end, and the Coupe model provided alternative body styles. Inside, the Civic maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme, with a central LCD screen for the tachometer and speedometer, and a thin center stack with minimal buttons. The fit and finish felt high quality, with tight panel gaps and durable switchgear. Despite its starting price under $20,000, the Civic's interior materials felt built to last.

The 2019 Kia Forte was equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT, branded as an iVT by Kia, managed power well, providing an immediate throttle response and making the Forte quick off the line. The Forte's handling was impressive, with confident cornering and minimal body roll, while the steering offered a performance-like weight and precise turn-in. The Forte's suspension balanced refined handling with a comfortable ride over bumps. The CVT-equipped Forte featured a Drive Mode Selector with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. Fuel economy was competitive, with the CVT returning 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined, while the manual offered slightly lower figures. In real-world driving, the EX trim achieved 29.7 mpg.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engines, starting with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque in the LX and Sport trims. The EX and above trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, while the hatchback offered a slightly more powerful version with 180 hp in the Sport trim. The Si and Type R models delivered even more power, with the Si's 1.5-liter engine producing 205 hp and the Type R's 2.0-liter engine reaching 306 hp. The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and refinement, with the turbo engine offering better mid-range acceleration. The manual transmissions were highly regarded, while the CVT impressed with its ability to simulate gear ratios and enhance performance. The Civic's handling was sporty and engaging, with superb steering feel and a suspension that balanced comfort and agility. The brakes were strong and responsive, making the Civic a joy to drive.

The 2019 Kia Forte's interior dimensions grew with its new generation, offering a more spacious cabin. The front seat provided ample legroom, though headroom was slightly tight for taller occupants. The backseat offered adequate headroom and legroom, making it comfortable for longer drives. The Forte's trunk space was impressive at 15.3 cubic feet, one of the largest in its class. The EX trim featured a smart trunk system that automatically opened when standing near the rear, adding convenience for those with their hands full.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior was user-friendly, with a touchscreen that included a volume knob and shortcut buttons, addressing previous complaints about touch-sensitive controls. The steering wheel controlled the central display for easy access to various functions. The rear seat was surprisingly roomy, with optional heated outboard seats, though it lacked air vents. The Civic offered significant cargo space, with the sedan's trunk providing 15.1 cubic feet, while the hatchback offered up to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The center console featured storage trays and a deep bin, enhancing practicality. Visibility was good in all directions, especially in the sedan.

The 2019 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch UVO touchscreen, offering a straightforward and intuitive interface with vivid colors and logical menus. Physical buttons and conventional tuning and volume dials enhanced usability. Kia's UVO e-services provided additional features like enhanced roadside assistance and vehicle diagnostics, accessible via a smartphone app.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while once competitive, felt dated compared to newer Honda models. The interface was slower, and menu organization lacked the clarity of Honda's updated systems. However, the Civic redeemed itself with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Touring trim's 450-watt stereo improved sound quality, and Honda's LaneWatch provided a live feed of the right-side blind spot, enhancing safety.

The 2019 Kia Forte offered standard forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keeping assist was particularly effective, providing active steering inputs to keep the car centered in its lane.

The 2019 Honda Civic featured Honda Sensing as standard on most trims, including forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash rating. The Civic's crash-prevention features were rated as Superior, highlighting its ability to avoid collisions.