2021 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Kia Forte

The 2020 Kia Forte GT, new for that year, featured a turbocharged engine, a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a sport-tuned suspension, and active exhaust. It also had larger front brakes and 18-inch wheels. Styling modifications, such as revised bumpers, a black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets, set it apart 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, giving it a modern look. The transmission shifter felt solid, imparting a sense of quality.

The 2021 Nissan Altima showcased a bold V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, and a sleek, aerodynamic profile with a sloping roofline. The body had more folds than curves, giving it a taut essence, though it looked slightly old-fashioned due to its stance. Modern features like standard LED lighting and wheels ranging from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy kept the look contemporary. The Altima's fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details. Nine exterior colors were available, some with premium pricing.

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, connected ride quality. The Forte GT also featured a sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust, bigger front brakes, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart. The car handled well, especially on curvy roads, though it had a nose-heavy weight bias.

The 2021 Nissan Altima offered two powertrains. Most models had a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy was 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for FWD and 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined for AWD. The SR VC-Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, offering a more engaging drive. The VC-Turbo had a sport-tuned suspension and was FWD only, with fuel economy of 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined.

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 was roomy with good support, and the GT had air conditioning vents. The Smart Trunk technology allowed hands-free access, revealing a 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 Nissan Altima had Zero Gravity front seats, praised for their comfort on long drives. Upper trims offered power adjustment, position memory, leather, and heating. The front cabin had ample storage, including a big glovebox, center console bin, and door pockets. The second row was roomy for two adults, with a 60/40 split-folding seat for trunk access. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space.

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

The 2021 Nissan Altima included Nissan Intelligent Key with pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, cruise control, HomeLink, rear-view camera, Siri Eyes Free, and Google Assistant Voice Recognition. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on all but the S model. The base touchscreen was 7 inches, with an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen on higher trims. The SL and Platinum trims featured a Bose audio system and Active Noise Cancellation with the VC-Turbo engine. Nissan Door to Door Navigation was standard on Platinum and optional on other trims.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and came with numerous ADAS features. The GT with the GT2 Package included all available safety systems, though the automatic emergency braking worked only at lower speeds, and 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 wheel. The UVO eServices technology included 911 Connect and programmable alerts for speed, curfew, and geographical boundaries.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, standard on SV and above, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. ProPilot Assist was available for highway driving assistance, including intelligent forward collision warning, lane intervention, traffic sign recognition, driver alertness, and adaptive cruise control. The Intelligent Around View Monitor was available on upper trims. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS.