2022 Kia Forte vs 2021 Toyota Prius

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had been part of its identity for over 15 years. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued to sport this look, which many found unappealing, even in the trendy 2020 Edition with blacked-out trim. Inside, the Prius featured a unique layout with a strip of displays in the center of the dashboard, a toggle lever for transmission controls, and a narrow center console. The gloss-black trim was a magnet for dust and fingerprints, adding to the car's unconventional interior aesthetics.

Toyota offered the 2021 Prius in several trims, including L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited, with an optional AWD-e system for the LE and XLE trims. The Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, with different styling, was available in LE, XLE, and Limited trims. All Prius models were five-door hatchbacks, providing utility similar to a crossover SUV but without the rugged looks or ground clearance. Prices ranged from $24,525 to $32,650, with the 2020 Edition test vehicle priced at $31,295, including destination charges.

The 2022 Kia Forte came in four trims: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. The Forte FE was the fuel-economy leader, while the LXS offered essential features without extras. The GT-Line added sporty aesthetics without performance enhancements, and the GT was the most fun to drive. 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 GT2 Package added numerous features, making it a well-equipped option.

For 2022, the Forte received updates like a new grille, headlights, bumpers, and fresh wheel designs for the LXS and GT-Line. The GT-Line and GT trims got new fog lights and taillights, with the GT featuring brighter LED headlights. The GT also had red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and larger 18-inch wheels, enhancing its sporty look. The interior remained similar to the previous year, with a 4.2-inch driver information display, a revised center console, and improved infotainment systems. The GT's interior had a sporty design with analog gauges, round air vents, and a flat-bottom steering wheel.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving 56 mpg in combined driving, according to the EPA. Other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, while AWD-e models managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition averaged 47.5 mpg on the testing loop, slightly below EPA estimates. The Prius combined a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 121 horsepower. The electric motor's 120 pound-feet of torque provided lively acceleration from a stop and allowed for electric-only driving at speeds under 25 mph.

The Prius featured Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, with the latter adding noise rather than quicker acceleration. Regenerative braking helped keep the battery charged, and the TNGA platform provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling. While the Prius could handle curvy roads with some enthusiasm, it wasn't a performance car. The handling was predictable, and the regenerative braking offered good pedal feel, but the steering lacked road feel, and the tires prioritized fuel economy over grip.

The 2022 Kia Forte carried over most of its mechanical components from the previous year. All trims except the GT had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The FE trim achieved 35 mpg in combined driving, while the LXS and GT-Line managed 33 mpg. The Forte GT offered a more exciting driving experience with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine was available with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DCT with paddle shifters.

The Forte GT featured Smart, Normal, and Sport driving modes, a sport-tuned suspension, and larger 18-inch alloy wheels. The GT's modifications provided effortless acceleration and a good blend of ride and handling characteristics. However, the brakes struggled during demanding driving, and the engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable. The Forte GT averaged 25.8 mpg on the testing loop, below the EPA's estimates, but achieved 32.8 mpg during a week-long loan.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, accommodating up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather could be sticky. The test vehicle had an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom for adults but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, ranging from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, especially with the GT2 option package, offered numerous features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a power sunroof, and upgraded LED interior lighting. The Forte GT proved comfortable for long road trips, with a height-adjustable front passenger seat and ventilated front seats. The rear seats provided ample room for a compact car, with a large bottom seat cushion for support. The Forte’s trunk was spacious, offering 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the largest in its segment, with rear seats that folded down to expand capacity.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. The sound quality of the standard stereo was poor, and road noise overwhelmed it on the highway. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, a navigation system, and an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, but it lacked Android Auto.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new Technology option packages for the LXS, GT-Line, and GT trims, adding infotainment and safety systems. The FE and LXS trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line and GT trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with more features but required a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT had standard wireless smartphone charging and an available eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition capabilities were hit-and-miss.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The IIHS gave the Prius favorable marks, but the NHTSA had not rated it for crashworthiness.

The 2022 Kia Forte featured standard Kia Drive Wise technology, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, 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 IIHS gave the Forte high marks, while the NHTSA rated it four stars overall, with some concerns about rear passenger injury in side impacts.