2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2020 Kia Forte

The 2020 Kia Forte GT, new for the year, topped the Forte lineup with a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission (DCT), sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust, larger front brakes, and 18-inch wheels. Styling modifications set it apart from other Fortes, and the interior boasted enhancements to cement its sport-sedan credentials. The Forte GT didn’t look particularly potent, but details like revised bumpers, a black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets hinted at its potential. Inside, complimentary surface tones and textures combined with soft-touch materials, red seat piping, and gloss black trim to create a modern look. The transmission shifter felt solid, imparting a sense of quality.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a continuation of the hot hatch legacy, shared most basics with a regular Golf but included subtle enhancements. Red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip connecting the headlights, and painted brake calipers were some of the distinguishing features. The GTI had a lowered stance, side skirts, and stainless-steel exhaust tips. Inside, the GTI theme continued with red ambient lighting, a black headliner, and a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel. Heated front sport seats, available in Clark plaid cloth or leather, added to the sporty feel. The GTI maintained a quality feel inside and out, with high-quality materials and well-installed surfaces.

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. A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) delivered power to the front wheels, and the DCT was well-behaved, exhibiting minimal hesitation. The Forte GT also offered a 6-speed manual gearbox option. All models came with a sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, larger front brakes, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart. The Forte GT provided a firm, connected ride quality, with a sport exhaust that burbled with each upshift. The car handled well, remaining glued to the pavement and conveying critical data to the driver. However, the nose-heavy weight bias and brake fade were noted during hard driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The test model came with a DSG seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, though a six-speed manual was also available. The GTI had four-wheel independent suspension, DCC adaptive damping, and variable-ratio steering, providing crisp turn-in and great feel. The Golf R front brakes offered strong stopping power. The GTI's handling was excellent on the right road or track, but the performance-oriented setup resulted in a rough ride on ordinary roads. The GTI's fuel economy was 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined with the manual transmission, and 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined with the DCT. The GTI only required regular unleaded fuel, though premium unleaded was needed to match its stated horsepower and torque figures.

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 seat had a height adjuster. Backseat comfort was good, with proper support and air conditioning vents. The Forte GT had a hands-free Smart Trunk system, offering 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 Volkswagen Golf GTI, with its hatchback form, was incredibly useful for carrying passengers and cargo. It had a 103.6-inch wheelbase, 60.6-inch front track, 59.7-inch rear track, and was 168.0 inches long, 70.8 inches wide, and 57.8 inches tall. The GTI offered 17.4 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats, expanding to 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The front row was comfortable for taller drivers, while the second row was adequate for two average-sized adults or three juveniles. The GTI’s dimensions and sharp steering made parking and tight maneuvers easy. The cabin featured clever storage options, including big front door pockets and center console cupholders. The mechanical handbrake, though a bit of a throwback, was noted.

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 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, though it struggled with ambient noise. The Forte did not offer an embedded navigation system, relying on smartphone projection instead.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured the VW MIB touchscreen infotainment system, with S models using a 6.5-inch screen and SE and Autobahn models getting an 8-inch screen with navigation. The MIB touchscreens had tablet-like gesture controls and capacitive-touch sensors. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink were standard, along with Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio. SE models included a three-month trial to SiriusXM with 360L. Volkswagen Car-Net offered Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot portals, with options for Verizon or T-Mobile data plans. The GTI also had LED daytime running lights, fog lights, and taillights, with additional features on SE and Autobahn trims.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping and lane-centering assist, and 911 Connect. 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 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The IIHS gave it top “Good” scores in most crash-test categories, with “Acceptable” scores for small overlap front; passenger side, and headlights. The GTI included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, dual front and side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, and more. The Autobahn trim level added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, park distance control, park assist, and high-beam control.