2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2019 Kia Forte

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, with a slightly longer and wider body, maintaining the same height. Its design was inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, featuring a wide, angular grille that added a dramatic flair to its appearance. Inside, the Jetta continued this angular design language, creating a cabin that was both spacious and functional, with a premium feel thanks to soft-touch surfaces and comfortable seating. The Jetta offered a range of trims, from the well-equipped base S trim to the luxurious SEL Premium, each adding various features like leatherette seating, panoramic moonroof, and advanced driver-assistance systems.

The 2019 Kia Forte, although appearing as a facelift, was an all-new generation with a more mature design. It retained its jellybean shape but incorporated styling cues from the sporty Kia Stinger, such as a powerful grille and futuristic headlights. Inside, the Forte's cabin was high-tech and simple, with a sport steering wheel and floating touchscreen reminiscent of the Audi A3. The Forte offered trims like the base FE with standard safety features and the range-topping EX, which included leatherette upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and an optional EX Launch Package with premium stereo and smart cruise control.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower than the previous model, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and a new 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed the Jetta to handle both city and highway driving with ease, offering smooth acceleration and precise steering. The Jetta's ride quality was refined, providing a balance between comfort and sporty handling, with fuel efficiency rated at 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2019 Kia Forte featured a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a CVT. The CVT, branded as an iVT by Kia, managed power well, offering quick acceleration and impressive handling. The Forte's steering was performance-oriented, and it handled corners confidently with minimal body roll. The Drive Mode Selector allowed drivers to choose between Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, optimizing performance and efficiency. The Forte's fuel economy was competitive, with the CVT-equipped models achieving 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats suitable for long trips, with adequate rear-seat space despite a slight reduction in legroom. The trunk space was reduced to 14.1 cubic feet but remained average for the class. The cabin layout was practical, with the touchscreen positioned above the climate vents for better accessibility, and the shifter placement allowed for a larger center tray. The Jetta's interior was designed with functionality in mind, blending touchscreen functions with physical buttons and dials for ease of use.

The 2019 Kia Forte's interior benefited from increased dimensions, providing a more spacious cabin. The front seat offered ample legroom, although headroom was slightly tight for taller occupants. The backseat provided adequate space for taller passengers, and the trunk was one of the largest in the class at 15.3 cubic feet. The EX trim featured a smart trunk system for hands-free access. The Forte's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with deep door cupholders and a well-sized center console.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims like the SEL and SEL Premium included Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that replaced the traditional instrument panel. This feature allowed drivers to project navigation and other information directly onto the screen, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2019 Kia Forte was equipped with an 8-inch UVO touchscreen, offering a user-friendly interface with vivid visuals and logical menu layout. Physical buttons complemented the touchscreen, providing easy access to core functions. The Forte also included UVO e-services, offering features like enhanced roadside assistance and vehicle diagnostics. The infotainment system was designed to be intuitive and straightforward, ensuring a seamless user experience.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta included a comprehensive set of safety features, such as front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Driver-assist systems like blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision avoidance were standard on higher trims and optional on the base S. The SEL and SEL Premium trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.

The 2019 Kia Forte stood out with standard forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. It also included a reversing camera, traction control, and airbags. Optional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were available. The Forte's lane-keeping assist was particularly effective, providing active steering inputs to keep the car centered in its lane.