2020 Subaru Legacy vs 2020 Kia Forte

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was a standout in its lineup, featuring a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission, and sport-tuned suspension. It had a sophisticated yet understated exterior with styling cues like revised bumpers and dual exhaust outlets that hinted at its performance potential. Inside, the Forte GT offered a modern and sporty ambiance with red seat piping, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and gloss black trim. The transmission shifter was noted for its solid feel, adding to the car's perceived quality. Despite its sporty credentials, the Forte GT maintained a low base price, making it an attractive option for those seeking a small car with performance flair.

In contrast, the 2020 Subaru Legacy presented a more pragmatic design, which sometimes struggled to stand out. While it had sharp angles and details, it lacked the boldness of competitors like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Legacy's interior was highlighted by a massive 11.6-inch touchscreen, though its functionality was hampered by overly complex controls. The Legacy offered six trims, with the Premium trim being particularly recommended for its features and value. Despite its understated exterior, the Legacy provided impressive interior space, especially in the backseat, and a range of comfort features across its trims.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant upgrade from the standard 147-hp engine in other Forte models. The power was managed by a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which was praised for its smooth operation. The Forte GT also featured a sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust, and larger brakes, enhancing its performance credentials. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, allowing for a tailored driving experience. The Forte GT was noted for its engaging driving dynamics, particularly on winding roads, though it exhibited some nose-heavy characteristics during aggressive driving.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy offered a 2.5-liter boxer 4-cylinder engine in its base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Power was delivered to all four wheels via a CVT with manual mode and paddle shifters. While the Legacy was responsive off the line, it required effort to reach highway speeds. A more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged engine was available in the Limited XT and Touring XT trims, offering 260 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The Legacy's chassis was praised for its precise handling and refined ride quality, though the auto stop-start system was criticized for its abruptness. Fuel economy was commendable, with the base engine achieving 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT featured front sport seats with cloth inserts and Sofino leatherette bolsters, with full Sofino leatherette available in certain configurations. The driver's seat was 10-way power adjustable, and both front seats were heated and ventilated. The interior offered excellent comfort, with supportive seats and a well-designed steering wheel. The backseat provided good comfort and support, with air conditioning vents for added convenience. The Forte GT's Smart Trunk technology allowed for hands-free access to the 15.3 cubic-foot cargo area, which was spacious for its class. Interior storage was generous, with various compartments for personal items.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy, while not matching crossovers in cargo space, offered a respectable 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space. The backseat was surprisingly spacious, accommodating taller passengers with ease. The Legacy's front seats were supportive, and the cabin featured ample storage options, including deep door pockets. However, the center stack's tray was noted for being somewhat cramped. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Legacy's interior was well-suited for passengers and provided a comfortable ride.

The 2020 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a reversing camera. Higher trims included SiriusXM satellite radio and Kia's UVO technology. The GT2 Package added an 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, though it struggled with ambient noise. The Forte's infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for easy operation.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy featured a large 11.6-inch touchscreen with the Starlink infotainment system. However, the system was criticized for its complexity, requiring multiple steps for simple tasks like adjusting climate controls. The portrait orientation of the screen also limited the display of Apple CarPlay. Despite these issues, the system was responsive and free of lag. The Legacy's infotainment system was standard across most trims, leaving little room for avoiding its drawbacks.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and came with a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. The GT with the GT2 Package included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Forte also offered UVO eServices technology, providing features like 911 Connect and parental controls for teen drivers.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, which included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The system used a head-up light system for alerts, which was intuitive for drivers. Additional safety features included airbags, traction control, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system.