2020 Kia Forte vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

The 2020 Kia Forte GT, new for that year, featured a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission (DCT), sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust, larger front brakes, and 18-inch wheels. Styling modifications, such as revised bumpers, a black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets, distinguished it from other Fortes. Inside, the Forte GT boasted red seat piping, interior stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, and gloss black trim with polished metallic accents, creating a modern and sporty look. The transmission shifter felt solid, imparting a sense of quality.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series returned to a traditional familial look, reminiscent of the classic E30 3 Series. However, the G20 3 Series appeared stuffy, with a large, oddly-shaped grille that seemed out of place on the smaller sedan. The interior design was nice but let down by unimpressive materials, with plastic trim and fake-looking Ash wood. Leather upholstery was optional, with synthetic Sensatec material standard. The optional M heated steering wheel looked out of place in the otherwise conservatively styled interior.

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, with minimal hesitation. The Forte GT also featured a sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, larger front brakes, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart. The car offered a firm, connected ride quality, with a sport exhaust that burbled with each upshift. The steering effort felt natural in Normal mode and weighted up in Sport mode. The Forte GT excelled in handling, remaining glued to the pavement and conveying critical data to the driver.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque in the 330i, a less-powerful version of that engine with electric assist in the 330e plug-in hybrid, producing 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, and a turbo inline-six with 382 hp and 369 lb-ft in the M340i. All powertrains were available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The M340i could do zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the base 330i took 5.6 seconds. The 330e matched the 330i's zero to 60 mph time despite the extra weight of the battery pack. However, the transition from electric to gasoline power was clunky, and the driving experience was less engaging than past 3 Series models. The chassis provided a comfortable highway ride and excellent handling, but the lack of engagement left drivers underwhelmed.

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 provided excellent comfort and support, and the front passenger's seat had a manual height adjuster. Backseat comfort was good, with a tall cushion and comfortable backrest angle. The GT also had air conditioning vents for the rear seats. The Smart Trunk technology allowed for hands-free trunk 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 2021 BMW 3 Series offered better-than-average interior space for a small luxury sedan. Rear headroom was the best in the segment, and front headroom was above average. Legroom in both rows was about average, and shoulder room was less generous than the Acura TLX. Gasoline 3 Series models had 17 cubic feet of cargo space, but the 330e plug-in hybrid's battery pack reduced the trunk space to 13.2 cubic feet. The trunk's long-and-narrow shape required an awkward reach to maximize space, but a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat was standard. The cockpit was well-designed, with a touchscreen positioned for easy reach and good outward visibility.

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 sounded better than the standard 6-speaker setup but struggled with ambient noise.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series came with the standard iDrive infotainment system, including an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. Gasoline models had both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only had CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster and navigation, with a head-up display (HUD) available. The infotainment system was premium, with high-quality graphics and responsive controls. BMW provided multiple control options, including the iDrive controller, steering wheel controls, voice assistant, and gesture controls.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and came with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The GT with the GT2 Package included all available ADAS 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 worked well but required 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.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series also received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests. However, headlight scores were mixed, and the optional Active Driving Assistant Professional system scored lower in vehicle-to-pedestrian front-crash prevention. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published safety ratings for the 2021 3 Series. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Driving Assistant Professional Package added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, lane-keep assist, automated lane centering, and Active Side Collision Avoidance. A lower-level Driving Assistant Package included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and a parking-assist package with a 360-degree camera system and automated parking aid was also available.