2019 Kia Optima vs 2019 Kia Forte

The 2019 Kia Forte might not have appeared drastically different from its predecessor, but it was an all-new generation with subtle yet significant updates. It maintained the classic jellybean shape with a somewhat assertive front-end design and the subtle "swoop" along the sides. However, the taillight band connecting both sides above the license plate seemed a bit out of place and cheap. Despite this, the Forte's design matured, offering a more grown-up aesthetic. It included additional small rear quarter windows framing the rear doors and lower, flatter windowsills.

The Forte also drew inspiration from the sporty Kia Stinger, particularly in its grille's powerful shape, the futuristic headlights, and the aggressive lower-grille design. Inside, the Forte exhibited a contemporary, high-tech cabin with minimalist yet substantial layouts. The influence of the Stinger continued with features like a sport steering wheel and floating touchscreen, and the arrangement of big circular HVAC vents resembled those in the Stinger.

Trim-wise, the Forte ranged from FE to EX. The base FE featured electric power side mirrors, remote keyless entry, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The top-tier EX trim added several premium features, such as power heated side mirrors, leatherette upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support. The EX Launch Package, offered for an additional $3,200, included a Harman Kardon premium stereo, power sunroof, wireless charging, and advanced safety tech like pedestrian detection for forward-collision avoidance.

On the flip side, the 2019 Kia Optima's design didn't create the same stir as the 2011–2015 version but remained appealing with features like the tiger-nose grille, sassy fender-vent trim, and available black panoramic glass roof. The Optima was versatile with various trim levels to suit different tastes and budgets, although interior color options were limited, except for black.

Price-wise, the Optima ranged from $22,900 for the base LX to $35,790 for the SX Turbo with the luxurious Limited Package. A plug-in hybrid model also existed, topping $42,000 fully loaded. My test car, the SX Turbo, without the Limited Package, featured a blacked-out exterior, machined-face 18-inch aluminum wheels, red brake calipers, and extra-cost white pearl paint, giving it a sleek, sporty look. The black leather interior with red inserts, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and upgraded instrumentation further enhanced its appealing aesthetics.

For the 2019 Kia Forte, all trims were powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, directed to the front wheels via either a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The base FE trim offered the manual as standard, with the CVT available as an option, while all other trims came standard with the CVT. Kia's CVT, referred to as an iVT (Intelligently Variable Transmission), aimed to minimize the typical "rubber band" effect and provided an immediate throttle response, making the Forte quick off the line.

The Forte's handling was also notable, with confidence in cornering and minimal body roll. The steering had a performance-like weight, resulting in precise turn-in. The car managed to balance refined handling and comfort over bumpy roads. The CVT-equipped Forte also featured a Drive Mode Selector with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, adjusting throttle and transmission responses based on driving conditions.

Fuel economy was another strong suit for the Forte, with the CVT-equipped version achieving up to 31/41/35 mpg (city/highway/combined). The manual-equipped FE trim returned slightly lower figures at 27/37/31 mpg. In real-world driving, our EX trim observed a fuel economy of 29.7 mpg.

In contrast, the 2019 Kia Optima offered a wider range of powertrains, including two hybrid options. The base LX and sporty S trims came with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 185 horsepower, while the mid-grade EX Turbo used a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine generating 178 hp. The hybrid models delivered excellent fuel efficiency, with the standard hybrid achieving 41 mpg combined and the plug-in hybrid offering up to 28 miles of pure electric range.

The top-of-the-line SX Turbo, my test car, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 245 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, providing smooth, linear acceleration through a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift gate and paddle shifters. It offered four driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode adjusting the vehicle's behavior based on driving patterns. On a testing loop, the car averaged 23.5 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate of 24 mpg combined.

The SX Turbo trim also featured a unique rack-mounted electrically assisted steering system, offering better feel and feedback compared to column-mounted systems. However, while the steering was precise under typical conditions, it felt less crisp during aggressive driving. The SX Turbo had sport-tuned suspension components, providing a firm yet comfortable ride. However, excessive body motion on challenging roads reduced driver confidence.

Compact sedans like the 2019 Kia Forte had seen growth in interior dimensions, offering more space and comfort than previous generations. The new Forte, with an additional 3.2 inches in exterior length and a slight increase in width, translated into a noticeably larger interior. The front seat provided ample legroom, though headroom might have been tight for those over 6 feet. The rear seat also had adequate headroom and legroom for taller passengers on longer trips. With 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space, the Forte boasted one of the largest trunks in its class. The EX trim offered a convenient smart trunk system, making it easy to access the trunk without physically kicking under the bumper when hands were full.

Meanwhile, the 2019 Kia Optima excelled as a daily driver with its spacious interior and user-friendly controls. It featured a roomy 15.9-cubic-foot trunk and plenty of storage cubbies throughout the cabin. The front seats offered multiple power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, and while the standard leather was stiff, the Limited Package upgraded to luxurious Nappa leather. The backseat provided impressive legroom, good thigh support, and a comfortable seatback angle, along with rear air-conditioning vents and quick-charging USB ports. The Optima's smart trunk feature, similar to the Forte's, could be turned off if not needed, enhancing convenience in various situations.

The 2019 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch UVO touchscreen, featuring a clear and intuitive layout with crisp visuals. Traditional tuning and volume dials remained, providing a familiar and tactile experience for the driver. Our test model included Kia's UVO e-services, enhancing the infotainment system with features like enhanced roadside assistance, in-depth vehicle diagnostics, and a smartphone app for remote vehicle functions.

The 2019 Kia Optima was equally generous with its technology offerings. Its standard infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with the latest UVO technology, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, voice recognition, a USB port, and a reversing camera. The Optima S and EX Turbo trims added satellite radio and UVO eServices, while the SX Turbo trim included navigation, HD Radio, and a premium Harman Kardon audio system. Kia's infotainment system was user-friendly, despite unique font choices, and the voice-recognition technology allowed for flexible command inputs.

The 2019 Kia Forte stood out with its comprehensive safety offerings. Standard features included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. Additional standard safety equipment included a reversing camera, traction control, and front and side-impact airbags. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keeping assist was particularly impressive, actively keeping the car centered in its lane with subtle steering inputs.

The 2019 Kia Optima also excelled in safety, with all trims featuring standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Rear parking-assist sensors and a driver-monitoring system were also standard. The adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and surround-view camera system were available as upgrades. The Optima received top crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the federal government, making it a reliable choice for safety-conscious buyers.