2019 Kia Forte vs 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2019 Kia Forte might not have seemed all-new at first glance, retaining a familiar jellybean shape and a front-end design that was both plucky and somewhat menacing. It featured a subtle “swoop” along the side and new small rear quarter windows that framed the rear doors. A design element that didn't resonate well with everyone was the taillight band stretching above the license plate. However, overall, the Forte presented a more mature design than its predecessors. Influences from the sporty Kia Stinger were evident in the grille's commanding shape, futuristic headlights, and aggressive lower-grille design. Inside, the Forte boasted a contemporary, high-tech cabin with a simple layout. The influence of the Stinger continued with a sport steering wheel and floating touchscreen. In comparison to past models, the 2019 Forte had more grown-up aesthetics, with high-quality materials echoing the design language of the Audi A3. Design head Peter Schreyer, formerly of Audi, left his unmistakable mark on the interior, which exuded a crisp and modern flair. On the other hand, the 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was all about understated elegance. Its two-box design, honeycomb grille, red accents, and fat twin exhaust outlets hid the powerhouse beneath. Available trims were S, Rabbit Edition, SE, and Autobahn, with prices starting at $27,595. The Rabbit Edition, priced at $28,895, offered gloss black finishes and exclusive colors like Urano Gray and Cornflower Blue. Despite a playful bunny badge, the GTI maintained a conservative yet stylish look with just a hint of robust capability. Inside the GTI, the straightforward design allowed for easy interaction with controls and instrumentation. The Clark Plaid cloth upholstery in S and Rabbit Edition trims added a touch of whimsy. While the aesthetic leaned towards simplicity, the quality of materials and the careful attention to details underscored the GTI's premium feel.

For 2019, the Kia Forte came with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The power was sent to the front wheels through either a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Kia termed an iVT for intelligently variable transmission. The FE trim offered a standard manual, while other trims came with the CVT. The Forte's CVT was praised for managing power well, delivering an immediate throttle response atypical for CVTs. On paper, the numbers were modest, but the Forte impressively managed to be quick off the line and competent at passing on highways. It also offered refined handling, confidence in cornering, and a comfortable ride over bumps. With a CVT, the Forte included a Drive Mode Selector with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, allowing for tailored driving dynamics. Fuel economy was good, particularly with the CVT, yielding up to 31 mpg city and 41 highway. Contrastingly, the 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was more performance-oriented. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine churned out a robust 228 horsepower, an increase from previous years, with 258 pound-feet of torque. The torque-sensing limited-slip differential was standard, enhancing traction and reducing understeer. This powerhouse boasted acceleration that felt both quick and thrilling, effortlessly reaching 60 mph without needing to shift into third gear with the standard 6-speed manual. The GTI also came with a progressive, variable-ratio steering system for responsive handling at any speed, a lowered sport suspension for a dynamic ride, and substantial brakes for confident stopping power. Available adaptive damping suspension on SE and standard on the Autobahn trim enhanced ride comfort. Fuel economy was rated at 27 mpg combined, though real-world results might vary with spirited driving.

Compact sedans like the Forte were increasingly comfortable for a variety of occupants. The Forte's exterior grew slightly longer and wider, translating into a roomier interior. While front headroom could be tight for those over 6 feet, legroom was ample, and rear headroom was acceptable. Of note was the Forte's 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space, one of the largest in its class. The EX trim's smart trunk feature allowed hands-free access simply by standing behind the car, adding to its practicality. In comparison, the Volkswagen Golf GTI offered excellent front seat comfort with height-adjustable, bolstered seats and a center armrest. Storage options were plentiful, with deep door bins and a smartphone tray. However, rear seat legroom was tighter, and narrow rear doors made egress a bit challenging. The GTI's trunk offered 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space, though this seemed optimistic without packing items into floor compartments and side pockets. Maximum cargo space with seats folded was 52.7 cubic feet, but practically, everyday use might see half this volume.

The Kia Forte featured an 8-inch UVO touchscreen as standard, praised for its intuitive layout, vivid visuals, and logical menus. Physical buttons and conventional dials for tuning and volume remained, providing a user-friendly interface. The test model’s UVO e-services added enhanced roadside assistance, vehicle diagnostics, and a smartphone app. For the 2019 Golf GTI, the standard infotainment system on the S and Rabbit Edition trims included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Car-Net App Connect supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch proximity-sensing display, HD Radio, satellite radio, and available Fender premium sound system, which was standard on the Autobahn trim.

The 2019 Kia Forte stood out with standard forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. Additional available features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control. The comprehensive safety suite and active lane-keeping assist added notable value. The Volkswagen GTI offered forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert as a $450 option on the S trim, standard on higher trims. The GTI SE included Car-Net Safety & Security services, which provided collision notification and emergency assistance. The Autobahn trim offered adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and advanced lane-keeping assist. All variants benefited from Volkswagen's automatic post-collision braking system.