2020 Kia Forte vs 2019 Nissan Altima

The 2019 Nissan Altima borrowed design cues from its larger sibling, the Maxima, to stand out in a competitive market. It featured a large trapezoidal grille, sharply raked headlights, and a black stripe in the C-pillar, adding visual excitement. Inside, the Altima's layout was similar to other new cars, with a floating center stack and familiar controls, making it user-friendly. The inclusion of infotainment systems and traditional knobs for volume, tuning, and climate control ensured ease of use. The Altima came in various trims, each offering a range of features from the base S with Zero Gravity seats to the luxurious Platinum with 19-inch wheels and a 360-degree surround-view monitor.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT, new for the year, topped the Forte lineup with a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission, sport-tuned suspension, and active exhaust. Its exterior featured revised bumpers, a black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets, giving it a subtle yet sporty look. Inside, the Forte GT boasted red seat piping, a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, and gloss black trim with metallic accents. The transmission shifter felt solid, adding to the sense of quality. The Forte GT was priced competitively, starting at $17,890, with various trims offering additional features and performance upgrades.

The 2019 Nissan Altima offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, a slight improvement over the previous model. The SR and Platinum trims featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with variable compression technology, delivering V6-like power and 4-cylinder fuel economy. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The AWD system provided confidence in snowy conditions, while the 2.5-liter engine returned fuel economy of 28 city, 39 highway, and 32 combined. The turbocharged engine achieved 25 city, 34 highway, and 29 combined.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) that delivered power to the front wheels. The DCT was well-behaved, providing smooth gear changes. The Forte GT also offered a 6-speed manual transmission option. The sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, and larger brakes enhanced the driving experience. The Forte GT's driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, allowing for a customizable driving experience. The car's handling was impressive, with a firm ride quality and responsive steering, making it enjoyable to drive on curvy roads.

The 2019 Nissan Altima featured extremely comfortable Zero Gravity seats, designed to reduce fatigue on long trips. The interior had plenty of storage cubbies and cupholders, though the center console was not very deep. The back seat provided ample space for tall adults, and the trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive with other midsize sedans.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT's interior included sport seats with cloth inserts and Sofino simulated leather bolsters. The GT2 Package or manual transmission models featured full Sofino leatherette seats, which were heated and ventilated. The 10-way power adjustable driver's seat provided excellent support, and the front passenger seat had a height adjuster. The back seat was comfortable, with air conditioning vents and a tall cushion. The Forte GT's Smart Trunk technology allowed for hands-free access, revealing a roomy 15.3 cubic-foot cargo area. Interior storage was generous, with a wireless smartphone charging pad, door panel storage, and a large glovebox.

The 2019 Nissan Altima came standard with NissanConnect, featuring a user-friendly touchscreen with large icons and easy-to-read fonts. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, as well as a 7-inch color Drive Assist display between the tachometer and speedometer. This display allowed drivers to monitor various systems and features.

The 2020 Kia Forte featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a reversing camera. The EX and GT trims included SiriusXM satellite radio and connected services through Kia’s Your Voice (UVO) technology. The GT2 Package added an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, though it struggled with ambient noise. The Forte's infotainment system was easy to use, with stereo knobs and menu shortcut buttons for convenience.

The 2019 Nissan Altima included standard safety features such as front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, vehicle dynamics control, and a reversing camera. The Platinum trim featured ProPilot Assist, offering partially autonomous driving functions like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. Forward-collision warning and driver-alertness monitoring were standard across all trims.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick according to the IIHS, with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The GT with the GT2 Package included all available safety features, though the automatic emergency braking system worked only at lower speeds, and the adaptive cruise control did not bring the car to a full stop. The lane-keeping and lane-centering assist systems were effective, and the UVO eServices technology provided 911 Connect and other safety alerts.