2020 Honda Civic vs 2020 Kia Forte

The 2020 Kia Forte GT, new for the year, featured a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission (DCT), sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust, larger front brakes, and 18-inch wheels. Styling tweaks set it apart from other Fortes, and the interior boasted modifications to enhance its sport-sedan credentials. Despite its potent capabilities, the Forte GT maintained a subtle appearance with revised bumpers, a black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets. Inside, the car combined complimentary surface tones and textures with soft-touch materials, red seat piping, and gloss black trim, creating a modern look. The transmission shifter felt solid, imparting a sense of quality.

The 2020 Honda Civic, a staple in Honda's lineup, came in three body styles: sedan, coupe, and hatchback. The sedan featured a sleek roofline, while the hatchback had a quirky tall rump. The Civic's design was sharp, with body panel creases and wide headlights accentuating its low and wide stance. The 2019 model year updates, including new grilles, bumpers, and wheels, carried over to 2020. The Civic Si sedan and coupe received additional updates like matte-black 18-inch wheels and LED fog lights. The interior was simple yet high-quality, with soft-touch materials and pleasing design elements. The 2020 updates included new dash accents and revised sport seats for the Si.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 195 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm. This was a significant upgrade from the 147-hp 2.0-liter engine in other Fortes. The 7-speed DCT delivered power to the front wheels and was well-behaved, offering a firm and connected ride quality. The Forte GT featured a sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, larger front brakes, and 18-inch wheels. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart. The car handled well, with precise steering and minimal body motion, though it exhibited some nose-heavy weight bias and brake fade during aggressive driving.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered four engines and two transmissions across its lineup, all front-wheel drive. The base LX and Sport had a 2.0-liter engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or CVT. The EX and higher trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, with the hatchback versions making 180 horsepower. The Civic Si had a boosted 1.5-liter engine with 205 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, while the Type R boasted 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Si and Type R came exclusively with a manual transmission. The Civic's powertrains were smooth and responsive, with the Si offering a thrilling yet balanced driving experience. The Type R was powerful and composed, though the Si was more practical for everyday driving.

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. The backseat offered good support and air conditioning vents. The Forte GT had a hands-free Smart Trunk system and 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 2020 Honda Civic's interior improvements included a volume knob and better cupholders. The hatchback had more sound insulation, and the EX hatchback featured an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat. The steering wheel had controls for the central display and instrument panel. The center console offered configurable storage with item trays and cupholders. The Civic provided ample rear passenger space, though it lacked rear air vents. The sedan's trunk had 15 cubic feet of cargo space, while the coupe had 12 cubic feet. The hatchback offered 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46 cubic feet with them folded down.

The 2020 Kia Forte came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a reversing camera. The EX and GT trims included SiriusXM satellite radio and Kia's UVO technology. The GT2 Package added an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, though it struggled with ambient noise.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on all models except the base LX. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Garmin-based navigation on top trims. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, push-button start, keyless entry, a power moonroof, and heated front seats. LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot. Automatic climate control and Honda Sensing were standard on all models, with leather seats on the EX-L and rain-sensing wipers on the Touring trim.

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. The automatic emergency braking system worked 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 but required hands on the steering wheel. The Forte GT also included 911 Connect and programmable alerts through UVO eServices.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for all body styles except the Type R. The NHTSA rated the Civic five stars in all categories, except for four stars in the passenger frontal crash rating on the coupe. The Civic's safety features and ratings made it a reliable choice for safety-conscious buyers.