2021 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Kia Forte

The 2021 Nissan Altima showcased a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, and adorned with the Nissan logo. Its sleek, aerodynamic profile was enhanced by a sloping “coupe-like” roofline and taut body lines. Despite a somewhat old-fashioned stance due to its extended overhangs and short dash-to-axle distance, modern features like standard LED lighting and a range of wheel options from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy kept it contemporary. The Altima's fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details available in nine exterior colors, some of which required an additional cost. Inside, the dashboard was uncluttered with an 8-inch touchscreen display, and higher trims offered improved materials and stitching, making the interior feel more premium.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT, with the GT being the most fun to drive. The GT trim, evaluated for this review, came with Steel Gray paint, the GT2 Package, and a price of $26,900. The Forte received updates for 2022, including a new grille, headlights, bumpers, and fresh wheel designs for the LXS and GT-Line. The GT-Line and GT trims featured sportier looks with red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and larger 18-inch wheels. The 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's interior had a sporty look with analog gauges, round air vents, and a thick-rimmed steering wheel, complemented by Germanic-style seat perforations and polished metal accents.

The 2021 Nissan Altima offered two distinct powertrains. Most configurations featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined, while the AWD model achieved 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. The standout was the SR VC-Turbo trim, which featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with variable compression, delivering 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided a more engaging driving experience, with fuel economy rated at 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. All Altima models had four-wheel independent suspension and electric-powered steering, with the VC-Turbo offering a sport-tuned suspension.

The 2022 Kia Forte carried over most of its mechanical components from the previous year. The non-GT trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT, achieving 35 mpg combined for the FE trim and 33 mpg for the LXS and GT-Line. The Forte GT, however, offered a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GT trim also featured a sport-tuned suspension with an independent rear design, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and available Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. The Forte GT provided a lively driving experience with good acceleration and handling, though it fell short in brake performance and cabin noise at highway speeds. Fuel economy for the GT was 26 mpg combined with the manual and 30 mpg with the DCT, though real-world testing showed slightly lower figures.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, which were comfortable for long drives. Upper trims offered power adjustment, memory settings, leather, and heating. The front cabin had ample storage, including a large glovebox, center console bin, cupholders, and door pockets. The second row was roomy enough for two adults or three for short trips, with a 60/40 split-folding design for trunk access. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, especially with the GT2 package, provided a comfortable and feature-rich interior. The package included a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a power sunroof, and upgraded LED interior lighting. The Forte GT also had a dual-zone automatic climate control system and rear air conditioning vents. Rear seat space was generous for a compact car, with supportive cushions and adequate room for adults. The trunk was spacious at 15.3 cubic feet, with the ability to fold down the rear seats for additional capacity.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came well-equipped with standard tech features, including Nissan Intelligent Key with pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, cruise control, and more. The base model had a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen. Higher trims also included a Bose audio system, Active Noise Cancellation, and Nissan Door to Door Navigation. NissanConnect Services offered various connected features, including a WiFi hotspot and emergency crash notification.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new Technology option packages for various trims, adding infotainment and safety systems. The FE and LXS trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the GT-Line and GT trims had a 10.25-inch touchscreen with additional features but required a cable for smartphone connectivity. The GT trim also included wireless smartphone charging and an available Harman Kardon sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition system had mixed performance. The Forte also featured a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system, which notified drivers when traffic ahead started moving.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, standard on SV and above trims, which included automatic emergency braking, 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, and an Intelligent Around View Monitor was offered on upper trims. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Kia Forte included standard Kia Drive Wise technology across all trims, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Additional safety features included cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS, though testing for the revised LED headlights was incomplete. The NHTSA gave the Forte a four-star overall rating, with concerns about rear passenger injury in side impacts.