2020 Kia Forte vs 2019 Toyota Camry

When purchasing a 2019 Toyota Camry, buyers had to choose between standard and sporty styling, and then decide among a 4-cylinder, a V6, and a hybrid powertrain. Trim levels varied depending on the engine selection, including L, LE, XLE, SE, and XSE. The Camry XSE equipped with a V6 engine was quick and entertaining to drive, but it wasn’t the recommended trim. The best value was found in the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with the LE trim. The Hybrid option, while offering excellent gas mileage, was more expensive and took nearly a decade to realize any savings at the pump. The Camry’s styling, especially in XSE trim, was daring but not cohesive, with oversized forms that didn’t appeal to everyone. Inside, the Camry XSE had high-quality materials, but some elements like the windshield pillars and switchgear felt out of place.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT, new for that year, topped the Forte lineup with a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission (DCT), sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust, larger front brakes, and 18-inch wheels. Styling modifications and interior enhancements cemented its sport-sedan credentials. The Forte GT had a tasteful and grown-up look, with details like revised bumpers, a black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets signaling its potential. Inside, the Forte GT combined complimentary surface tones and textures with soft-touch materials, red seat piping, a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, and gloss black trim for a modern look. The transmission shifter felt solid, imparting a sense of quality. The Forte GT was also one of the lowest-priced cars in its segment, starting at $17,890, with various trims and options available to suit different preferences and budgets.

The 2019 Toyota Camry’s standard 203-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine was suitable for daily driving, but the available 301-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine offered a thrilling experience. The V6 added significant weight to the front end but didn’t limit handling, making the car quick and responsive. The 8-speed automatic transmission provided smooth and satisfying shifts, especially in Sport mode. The Camry XSE’s sport-tuned suspension and 19-inch aluminum wheels offered responsive handling without stiffness, making it a comfortable daily driver. However, the steering effort was firm in normal mode and heavy in Sport mode. The brakes performed well under repeated use, but the pedal exhibited a dissatisfying “thunk” when released quickly. Fuel economy was lower than expected, with an average of 21.9 mpg during testing, likely due to the V6 engine and the need to run the air conditioning continuously.

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. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) delivered power to the front wheels and was well-behaved, providing smooth and quick gear changes. The Forte GT also offered a 6-speed manual gearbox option with additional features. The sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, larger front brakes, and 18-inch wheels with optional Michelin Pilot Sport tires contributed to its sporty performance. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter adjusting based on driving behavior. The Forte GT provided a firm but comfortable ride, with a sport exhaust that added a subtle reminder of its performance capabilities. The steering effort felt natural in Normal mode but somewhat artificial in Sport mode. The car handled well on curvy roads, with precise placement and minimal body motion, although the nose-heavy weight bias and brake fade were noticeable during aggressive driving.

The 2019 Toyota Camry’s cabin featured ample storage, including a large center console bin and a hidden compartment under the wireless charging pad. However, the glove box was small and hard to reach, and the door-panel storage pockets were narrow. The trunk was also smaller than expected for a midsize car, measuring 15.1 cubic feet, making it difficult to fit larger items. The front seats offered 8-way power adjustment and heating but lacked ventilation. Rear-seat passengers had limited space, with narrow door openings and a low seating position making entry and exit challenging. The rear air-conditioning vents were only available in upper trim levels. The climate control system performed well during a heatwave, quickly cooling the cabin.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT featured front sport seats with cloth inserts and Sofino simulated leather bolsters, with full Sofino leatherette available in the GT2 Package or with the manual transmission. The 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats provided excellent comfort and support. The front passenger seat also had a height adjuster. The interior included a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, soft armrest pads, and upper door panel trim. The backseat offered good comfort with a tall cushion and proper support, along with air conditioning vents. The Smart Trunk technology allowed hands-free access, although it could open unintentionally. The trunk provided a roomy 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a grab handle for easy closing. Interior storage was generous, with accessible wireless smartphone charging, door panel storage, and a large glovebox.

The 2019 Toyota Camry’s dashboard layout was dramatic yet smart, with intuitive controls and the new Entune 3.0 infotainment system. The system included Apple CarPlay but lacked Android Auto, which was expected to be added in future models. The test car featured a Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging pad, a navigation system, and a 9-speaker JBL premium sound system, which lacked clarity and produced a bass-heavy listening experience. A 10-inch head-up display (HUD) provided important data visibility, even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2020 Kia Forte featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a reversing camera. The Forte EX and GT 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, which performed better than the standard setup but struggled with ambient noise. The infotainment system’s location and design made it easy to use, with stereo knobs and menu shortcut buttons for convenience.

The 2019 Toyota Camry was a top performer in safety, earning 5-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Camry included a standard Toyota Safety Sense suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), with features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Camry also came with a standard subscription to Safety Connect for the first three years, providing services like automatic collision notification and SOS emergency calling.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick according to the IIHS and came with numerous ADAS features. The GT with the GT2 Package included all available safety systems, although the automatic emergency braking 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 worked well but required the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel. The Forte GT also included 911 Connect, an automatic collision notification system, and programmable alerts for speed, curfew, and geographical boundaries.