2022 Kia Forte vs 2021 Subaru WRX

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a distinctive, youthful aesthetic, often described as the rebellious member of the Subaru family. While it appeared tamer compared to the racier WRX STI, the WRX still sported a wedge-like front end and a short trunk lid, giving it a speedy look even when stationary. Aerodynamic bodywork and a functional hood scoop added to its sporty appearance. Inside, the WRX's cockpit was function-first, featuring hard plastics that contributed to its less refined reputation compared to competitors like the VW GTI and Honda Civic Si. The WRX came in Base, Premium, and Limited trims, with the Limited offering leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and advanced lighting features.

The 2022 Kia Forte, particularly in the GT trim, showcased a refreshed exterior with new grille, headlights, and bumpers. The GT trim stood out with red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and larger 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Forte GT maintained a sporty look with traditional analog gauges, a thick-rimmed steering wheel, and polished metal accents. The interior featured a 4.2-inch driver information display, an electronic parking brake, and improved infotainment systems. The GT2 Package added premium features like a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and upgraded LED interior lighting.

The 2021 Subaru WRX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Despite its power, the WRX required precise rev management to maximize performance, making the CVT a surprising but effective option for maintaining powerband revs. The manual transmission, however, was less precise, with a vague clutch feel. The WRX featured Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring, enhancing cornering precision, though its stiff ride was less comfortable compared to rivals like the Civic Si and GTI.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT offered a more engaging driving experience with its turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It came 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, a sport-tuned suspension, and larger 18-inch alloy wheels. While it provided good acceleration and handling, the brakes struggled during demanding driving, and the engine noise at highway speeds was notable. The Forte GT's fuel economy fell short of EPA estimates, averaging 25.8 mpg in testing.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a conventional sedan layout with a trunk offering up to 12 cubic feet of cargo space. While this was more than the Civic Si coupe, it was less than the sedan and significantly less than the VW GTI. The WRX's interior showed its age, lacking modern conveniences like accommodating in-door bottle holders. However, it provided a comfortable driving position with good visibility and decent rear seat space for a compact sedan.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, especially with the GT2 Package, offered a comfortable and feature-rich interior. It included a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Forte GT's rear seat room was impressive for a compact car, with a large and supportive bottom seat cushion. The trunk was spacious, offering 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the largest in its segment. The rear seats also folded down to expand capacity.

The 2021 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen running Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a 7-inch screen available on higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the graphics were somewhat dated. The Limited trim offered an option package with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium stereo, providing solid sound quality.

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. The GT-Line and GT trims had a 10.25-inch touchscreen with more features but required a cable for smartphone connectivity. The Forte GT also included 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 Subaru WRX did not come standard with advanced safety features. The EyeSight system, including adaptive cruise control and emergency automatic braking, was available on Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. Other safety options like adaptive high beams and blind-spot monitoring were only available on the Limited trim.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered more comprehensive safety features across all trims. Standard equipment included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a driver monitoring system. The GT-Line and GT trims added active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims also offered cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.