2022 Kia Forte vs 2021 Chrysler 300

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, reminiscent of its major facelift in 2014. Its "three-box design" gave it a straightforward, timeless profile that could easily be recognized as a quintessential car. The 300's appearance, from the base trim to the high-end 300S, exuded a sense of pride and nostalgia without succumbing to overly retro influences. The grille and headlights had evolved over the years, with the 2021 model featuring bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, while higher trims like the Touring L and 300S boasted adaptive HID lamps. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch silver alloys to 20-inch Black Noise wheels, depending on the trim and package.

Inside, the Chrysler 300 offered a luxurious experience with high-quality materials. The base 300 Touring featured cloth upholstery and an eight-way power driver’s seat, while the 300 Touring L and 300S came standard with Nappa leather upholstery. The 300S also included perforated inserts and accent stitching. Heated front seats were standard on the top two trims, with heated rear seats available as well. The interior quality of the 300 rivaled that of much more expensive cars, making it a compelling choice for those seeking luxury at a more accessible price point.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. The Forte FE was the most fuel-efficient, rated at 41 mpg on the highway. The LXS provided essential features without unnecessary extras, while the GT-Line added a sporty look. The GT trim was the most fun to drive, featuring a turbocharged engine. The Forte GT we evaluated came with Steel Gray paint, the GT2 Package, and a price of $26,900, including destination charges. For those on a tighter budget, the FE, LXS, and GT-Line trims ranged from $19,090 to $21,290, plus destination charges.

The 2022 Forte received updates including a new grille, headlights, and bumpers. The GT-Line and GT trims featured new fog lights and taillights, with the GT boasting brighter LED headlights. The GT also had red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and larger 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Forte's interior remained similar to the previous year, with a standard 4.2-inch driver information display, a revised center console, and improved infotainment systems. The GT-Line and GT trims used a new type of simulated leather. The Forte GT's interior had a sporty look with seat perforations, patterns, piping, and polished metal accents.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for high-speed thrills, but its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine provided a respectable 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L trims. The 300S trim offered 300 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque, with an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine delivering 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters available on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,750, though not on the 300S.

The 300's driving experience varied by trim. The base model felt like a rental upgrade, but it was quiet, capable, and comfortable. The AWD Touring L offered a traditional luxury feel, while the V8-powered 300S provided a fun, albeit less powerful, experience compared to its Dodge Charger sibling. The 300 excelled in providing a comfortable and luxurious ride without trying to mimic European cars.

The 2022 Kia Forte's mechanical components largely carried over from the previous year. Most trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The fuel economy was rated at 35 mpg combined for the FE trim and 33 mpg for the LXS and GT-Line. The Forte GT, however, offered a more exciting drive with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine could be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) with paddle shifters.

The Forte GT featured Smart, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting throttle response, transmission behavior, and steering feel. It also had a sport-tuned suspension with an independent rear design, a sport-tuned exhaust, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and available Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer performance tires. The GT's modifications provided effortless acceleration and a good blend of ride and handling characteristics. However, the brakes struggled during demanding mountain descents, and the engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable. Despite these flaws, the Forte GT was a fun and practical daily driver.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous front and rear legroom, with 41.8 inches in the front seats and 40.1 inches in the back seats. This spaciousness rivaled entry-luxury sedans like the Lexus ES350 and Toyota Avalon. The 300 had 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, placing it in the EPA's "midsize" class but surpassing competitors like the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. The trunk provided 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough to accommodate four large suitcases.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, especially with the GT2 option package, offered numerous features such as a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a power sunroof, upgraded LED interior lighting, and full SynTex simulated leather seats. The Forte GT proved comfortable for long road trips, with a height-adjustable front passenger seat and ventilated front seats. The dual-zone automatic climate control system and rear air conditioning vents added to passenger comfort.

Rear seat room in the Forte was impressive for a compact car, with a large and supportive bottom seat cushion. The trunk offered 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the largest in its segment according to Kia. The rear seats could also fold down to expand capacity, making the Forte a practical choice for carrying larger items.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims. The system was intuitive, with prominent knobs and excellent steering wheel-mounted controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new Technology option packages for the LXS, GT-Line, and GT trims, adding infotainment and safety systems. The GT-Line Premium Package further expanded tech options. A rear-seat USB port was newly available, and the GT-Line and GT offered remote engine starting via the key fob. The FE and LXS trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line and GT trims had a 10.25-inch touchscreen with additional features but required a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT also had wireless smartphone charging and an available eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

The Forte's infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive menus and knobs for volume and tuning. However, the voice recognition system had mixed results, and Kia Connect's functionality was inconsistent. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature, notifying drivers when traffic ahead started moving.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but scored "Marginal" in small overlap tests and "Poor" for headlights. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall crash test rating, with four-star ratings for driver and passenger side crash tests and rollover rating. It received a five-star rating for the combined side barrier and side pole crash test. Standard safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available on higher trims and packages, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, lane departure warning, and rain-sensing wipers.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered more Kia Drive Wise technology, with standard features including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. The GT-Line and GT trims added active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with rear automatic braking, and Safe Exit Warning. Additional safety upgrades included cyclist detection, navigation-linked adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA). The IIHS gave the Forte high marks for crashworthiness and driving assist systems, while the NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall crash protection rating, noting issues with rear passenger injury in side impacts.