2020 Kia Forte vs 2021 Toyota Corolla

The 2020 Kia Forte GT, new for that year, was a standout in the Forte lineup with its turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission, sport-tuned suspension, and active exhaust. It featured larger front brakes and 18-inch wheels with a machined finish. The styling modifications set it apart from other Fortes, and the interior enhancements solidified its sport-sedan credentials. Despite its performance potential, the Forte GT maintained a subtle appearance, with details like revised bumpers, a black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets hinting at its capabilities. The interior combined complementary surface tones and textures with soft-touch materials, red seat piping, and gloss black trim, creating a modern look. The transmission shifter provided a solid feel, enhancing the driving experience. The Forte was also known for its competitive pricing, starting at $17,890, with various trims offering different features and performance levels.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla, particularly in its 12th-generation SE and XSE trims, was considered one of the most attractive Corollas in recent history. It featured sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille insert, a body kit, twin-outlet exhaust, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The Celestite Gray metallic paint added to its appeal. However, some design elements, like the hood shut line and over-styled rear bumper, were seen as less favorable. The Corolla offered a range of trims, including the L, LE, and XLE for those seeking a more understated look, and a hybrid version for better fuel efficiency. The SE and XSE trims provided a sportier experience with a more powerful engine and different transmissions. The Corolla XSE's interior was a significant improvement over previous models, with high-quality materials and a clean, minimalist design. However, practical storage was somewhat lacking.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 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 Forte models. The power was transmitted to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), which was well-calibrated and smooth in operation. The Forte GT also offered a 6-speed manual gearbox option, which included additional features from the GT2 package. The car came with a sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, larger front brakes, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, allowing for a tailored driving experience. The Forte GT provided a firm yet comfortable ride, with responsive steering and braking. It excelled in handling, especially on curvy roads, though it exhibited some nose-heavy weight bias and brake fade during aggressive driving.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla SE and XSE were powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 169 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. The engine was paired with a Dynamic Shift continuously variable transmission (CVT) and paddle shifters, offering a Sport driving mode. The CVT featured a mechanical first gear for improved acceleration, and its ten programmed ratios helped mask typical CVT characteristics. The Corolla's TNGA platform contributed to its low center of gravity and enjoyable driving dynamics. The SE and XSE trims had 18-inch aluminum wheels and more aggressive tires. While not a sport sedan, the Corolla XSE offered predictable handling and sufficient power for an engaging drive. It was comparable to other compact cars like the Honda Civic and Mazda3. The Corolla XSE achieved an average fuel economy of 31.1 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 34 mpg.

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 driver's seat was 10-way power adjustable, providing excellent comfort and support. The front passenger seat also had a height adjuster. The backseat offered good comfort with a tall cushion and proper support, along with air conditioning vents. The Forte GT's Smart Trunk technology allowed for hands-free access, revealing a spacious 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 Toyota Corolla XSE offered SofTex leatherette seats with striped fabric inserts, front-seat heating, and an eight-way power driver's seat adjustment. This provided a comfortable driving position with good sightlines. The rear seats offered good support but had limited headroom and legroom, with no air conditioning vents. The Corolla's trunk provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors. The sedan's trunk lid lacked an interior handle for closing.

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

The 2021 Toyota Corolla added Android Auto as standard equipment, joining Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Corolla SE featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while the XSE included Service Connect and Remote Connect. The XSE also offered a nine-speaker JBL premium sound system, dynamic voice recognition, and dynamic navigation. The infotainment system was simple to use, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. The JBL sound system provided depth but lacked clarity.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and came with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The GT with the GT2 Package included all available 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 were effective but required hands on the wheel. The Forte GT also featured 911 Connect and programmable alerts for speed, curfew, and geographical boundaries.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) suite of ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. The Corolla added rear side-impact airbags and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning. The ADAS performed well, though adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance had minor issues. The 2020 Corolla received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but the 2021 model required re-testing due to new airbags.