2022 Kia Forte vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan market with its Sensuous Sportiness design language and Parametric surfacing, featuring sharp creases and dramatic angles. This distinctive styling, including a controversial Z-shaped dent in the doors, aimed to break conventional automotive design rules and give the Elantra a unique character. The car's appearance improved with higher trim levels, ranging from SE to Limited, with a hybrid powertrain option available for the SEL and Limited trims. The high-performance Elantra N, expected to cost less than $34,000, was set to debut early in the following year.

Inside, the Elantra featured a driver-focused dashboard and center console, with higher trims offering a more upscale and tech-savvy cabin. The Limited or Hybrid Limited in Gray was particularly favored for its modern and upscale look, with light gray seats and trim contrasting against the black cabin. The Elantra SEL with the Premium Package, however, had a drab black interior with less appealing glossy black plastic.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. The Forte GT, evaluated for this review, came with Steel Gray paint, the GT2 Package, and a price of $26,900, including destination charges. The Forte GT featured a new grille, headlights, bumpers, and fresh wheel designs for 2022. The GT-Line and GT trims had sportier looks, with the GT boasting red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and larger 18-inch wheels. The interior remained similar to the previous year's model, with a standard 4.2-inch driver information display, a revised center console, and improved infotainment systems.

The Forte GT's interior had a sporty look with traditional analog gauges, round outer air vents, and a thick-rimmed steering wheel with a flat-bottom design. The seat perforations, patterns, piping, and stitching had a Germanic appearance, and polished metal interior accents dressed up the otherwise simple cabin.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered various powertrain combinations, including the high-performance Elantra N. The standard engine, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, produced 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Elantra SEL Premium, priced at $25,015, returned 31.4 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's 35 mpg estimate. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, produced 139 horsepower and achieved 42.2 mpg in combined driving, below the EPA's 50 mpg estimate due to mountainous terrain.

The Elantra N Line, priced at $26,245, featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT. The Elantra N, expected to cost around $34,000, boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or eight-speed wet DCT. The Elantra N's performance was impressive, with rapid powertrain response, stout brakes, and laser-accurate steering.

The 2022 Kia Forte carried over most mechanical components from the previous year. The standard 2.0-liter engine produced 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT, achieving 35 mpg in combined driving for the FE trim and 33 mpg for the LXS and GT-Line. The Forte GT, with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, produced 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT. The Forte GT offered Smart, Normal, and Sport driving modes, a sport-tuned suspension, and larger 18-inch wheels.

The Forte GT demonstrated good acceleration and handling, but its brakes struggled on demanding mountain descents. The car's engine noise at highway speeds and lower-than-expected fuel economy were also drawbacks. Despite these issues, the Forte GT was a comfortable and zippy commuter, though not as satisfying for serious driving enthusiasts.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a roomy interior with a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Heated front seats were standard, with the Limited Hybrid also offering ventilated front cushions. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest shape and angle lacked upper back support. The Elantra's trunk measured 14.2 cubic feet, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic upper door panels were notable drawbacks.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, with the GT2 option package, featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a power sunroof, and upgraded LED interior lighting. The height-adjustable front passenger seat was standard across all trims, ensuring proper leg support. The rear seat offered good room and support, though the hard plastic front seatback panels were a misstep. The Forte's trunk, at 15.3 cubic feet, was the largest in the segment, with a grab handle for easy closing and fold-down rear seats for expanded capacity.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered traditional instrumentation with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and Blue Link connected services. The Limited trim upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen, though it required a cable for smartphone integration. The Limited Hybrid's voice recognition system was inconsistent, but a new Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key were available.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new Technology option packages, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on the FE and LXS trims. The GT-Line and GT trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with SiriusXM satellite radio, voice recognition, and Kia Connect services, though they required a cable for smartphone integration. The Forte GT also had wireless smartphone charging and an available Harman Kardon premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition capabilities were hit-and-miss.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured SmartSense, a collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Safety-related upgrades included cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist, which provided a high level of smoothness and accuracy.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered more Kia Drive Wise technology, with standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. The GT-Line and GT trims added active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Safety-related upgrades included cyclist detection, navigation-linked adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist, which performed well in testing. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS, though the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating due to concerns about rear passenger injury in a side impact.