2020 Kia Forte vs 2021 Honda Civic

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 modifications, such as revised bumpers, 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 look. The transmission shifter felt solid, imparting a sense of quality.

The 2021 Honda Civic, known for its segment-defining versions, continued to impress with its four-door sedan, five-door hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats. The Civic sedan came in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $21,250 and topping out at $28,300. The Touring sedan, with its Cosmic Blue Metallic paint, looked appealing with its 18-inch wheels. The interior, though not as dramatic as when first introduced, still featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing, maintaining its trend-setting role.

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, offering a well-behaved performance. The Forte GT also featured a sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, bigger front brakes, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart. The car's firm, connected ride quality and responsive brakes made it enjoyable to drive, especially on curvy roads.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque in LX and Sport trims. The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, standard in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, produced 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The Civic's sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension and 18-inch wheels provided a composed and gratifying driving experience. However, the CVT transmission was a drawback, as it could drone and felt unsophisticated. Despite this, the Civic's fuel economy was impressive, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile driving loop.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT featured front sport seats with cloth inserts and Sofino simulated leather bolsters, with full Sofino leatherette in the GT2 Package or manual transmission models. 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 Smart Trunk technology allowed hands-free access to the 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 Honda Civic sedan had a low seating position, making entry and exit a bit challenging. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, but the front passenger's seat lacked a height adjuster. The rear seats were roomy, with excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle. The center console provided remarkable storage space, with trays, cupholders, and a deep center bin. The Civic's trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

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

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology showed its age. The LX trim had a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen, eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 1.5-amp USB port. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Touring's voice recognition system was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system was nice but not essential.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick according to the IIHS. It came with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, and lane-centering assist. The GT2 Package added 911 Connect and other safety features, though the automatic emergency braking worked only at lower speeds, and the adaptive cruise control did not bring the car to a full stop.

The 2021 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and lane-keeping assistance. The Civic also offered LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system. However, it lacked a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.