2019 Kia Forte vs 2020 Kia Optima

Highways are increasingly full of crossovers and small SUVs, but not too long ago sedans ruled the road. The simple three-box design made for a vehicle that was, and still is, an effective daily driver. It has enough trunk space for several bags and room for 4 (or even 5) passengers. They are often more fuel-efficient than their heavier SUV counterparts and almost always less expensive.

Maybe this explains why Kia’s best-selling vehicle last year wasn’t any of its SUVs or crossovers. It was the Forte, which has been completely redesigned for 2019.

Even when limited to small cars, the Forte's competition is quite stiff. But the Honda Civic has been generally heralded as the gold standard. The Civic is just a bit larger and a bit more upscale than other cars in its segment, but its higher price tag reflects that status.

The Forte previously operated only in the “value” end of this spectrum, with a dash of sporty styling thrown in (but generally lacking the performance to back it up). The new Forte is certainly sportier and more upscale, yet it still keeps value as one of its core principles. After a week driving it, we can say it is absolutely one of the standout small cars of this year, but does it have the goods to outgun the Civic?