2020 Lexus ES vs 2019 Kia Forte

The 2019 Kia Forte might have seemed like a mere facelift at first glance, but it was actually an all-new generation. It retained its jellybean-like shape and plucky front-end design, with a subtle swoop along the side. The taillight band connecting each side above the license plate was a design element that some found cheap-looking. However, the new Forte had a more mature design overall, with additional small rear quarter windows and flatter, lower windowsills. It borrowed styling cues from the sporty Kia Stinger, including a powerful grille shape, futuristic headlights, and an aggressive lower-grille design.

Inside, the Forte’s cabin was contemporary and high-tech, with a simple layout influenced by the Stinger. It featured a sport steering wheel, floating touchscreen, and big circular HVAC vents pushed to the corners. The instrument panel's crisp look and general layout had hints of Audi’s small car, thanks to Peter Schreyer, the head of design at Hyundai and Kia, who previously worked at Audi. The Forte came in trims FE, LXS, S, and EX, with the base FE trim offering impressive standard features like electric power side mirrors, remote keyless entry, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The range-topping EX trim included power heated side mirrors, leatherette upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support.

The 2020 Lexus ES had evolved from its “boring” label in the early 2010s to a more aggressive look by 2020. The large spindle grille, which arrived in 2016, grew even larger and meshed well with the new car’s larger proportions. The rear featured thin taillamps echoing the rakishness of the headlights, and a pronounced kink at the back of the side windows visually broke up the low, long sedan. The cabin elegantly blended modern technology with an organic aesthetic, featuring soft-touch materials and a large infotainment screen that integrated into the dash.

Trims for the 2020 Lexus ES included 350 FWD (base), Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and F Sport. Standard features on the ES 350 included a power moonroof, synthetic leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity entry, and push-button start. The ES 350 was available with several options packages, including the Premium Package with heated and ventilated front seats, and the Navigation Package with a 12.3-inch screen and voice command system. The range-topping 350 F Sport featured a unique black mesh grille, dark window accents, and unique 19-inch alloy wheels, with aluminum trim accents and unique heated and ventilated front bucket seats inside.

The 2019 Kia Forte came with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, sent to the front wheels through either a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT, branded as iVT by Kia, managed power well and provided an immediate response when accelerating. The Forte was quick off the line and had enough power for highway passing, with handling that was impressive for its class. It took corners with confidence, displayed minimal body roll, and had a performance-like weight to the steering wheel. The Forte also featured a Drive Mode Selector with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, adjusting throttle and CVT responses based on driving behavior. Fuel economy with the CVT was 30 mpg city, 40 highway, 34 combined, while the 6-speed manual returned 27/37/31.

The 2020 Lexus ES was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, sent to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 131 mph. The ES provided confident acceleration, getting up to highway speeds swiftly and allowing for easy passing maneuvers. The ride was comfortable and refined, with the suspension absorbing bumps without feeling wallow-y. The steering was light but precise, and the Dynamic Control Shocks contributed to the hushed ride. The F Sport trim offered an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with adjustable dampers and additional drive modes, including Sport+ for a more engaging driving experience. The ES was not a hot performer but provided a lively driving experience with the upgraded suspension and paddle shifters.

The 2019 Kia Forte’s exterior length grew by 3.2 inches, and it was just under an inch wider, translating into a noticeably larger interior. The front seat had plenty of legroom, though headroom was tight for occupants over 6 feet tall. The backseat had adequate headroom and legroom for taller occupants, as long as the front seats were not all the way back. The Forte had 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space, one of the largest in its class, with the EX trim featuring a smart trunk system that automatically deployed when you stood behind the car for a few seconds.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured a spacious cabin with plenty of head- and legroom in both rows. The driver and front passenger could slide their seats well back while still leaving ample legroom for rear-seat passengers. Rear-seat headroom was expanded with the 2019 redesign, accommodating all but the tallest occupants. The front doors had deep pockets, and the center console featured multiple retractable panels for storage. The ES had 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, mid-pack for the midsize luxury segment. However, the rear seats did not fold down, limiting space for larger items.

The 2019 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch UVO touchscreen, featuring a vivid and intuitive layout. The combination of colors and fonts made for crisp visuals, and the logical menu layout kept the experience straightforward. Physical buttons lined the bottom of the screen, and conventional tuning and volume dials were retained. The Forte also featured Kia’s UVO e-services, providing enhanced roadside assistance, in-depth vehicle diagnostics, and a smartphone app for locating your parked car.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, a touch-sensitive pad in the center console controlling the standard 8-inch or available 12.3-inch display. While not a touchscreen, the Remote Touch pad was intuitive once presets were set. The system gained standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for 2020, with CarPlay taking up the entire screen for easy navigation. The ES came standard with a 10-speaker premium audio system, with an available 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system. A head-up display was also available, providing crisp graphics and customization.

The 2019 Kia Forte offered standard forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. It also included a reversing camera, traction control, and front- and side-impact airbags. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keeping assist was active, providing minor steering inputs to keep the car centered in the lane.

The 2020 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist for semi-autonomous driving. Other safety features included front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.