2023 Kia Forte vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2022 Acura TLX had a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a luxury sedan from a larger class. It was notably bigger than the BMW 3 Series, being over three inches wider and nine inches longer. The TLX featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes, giving it a substantial yet sleek appearance. The Type S variant added unique elements like the Tiger Eye Pearl paint, 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels, and four fat exhaust pipes, enhancing its sporty look. Inside, the TLX was snug but impressively detailed, with high-quality materials and a Scandinavian-inspired design in the upper trims. The Type S models featured faux-suede inserts, red stitching, and a flat-bottom steering wheel, offering a daring design not found in competitors like Audi or Lexus.

The 2023 Kia Forte retained some of Kia's older design cues while incorporating newer styling elements. The double-tab grille and converging angled cutouts gave it a modern look, especially in the GT trims with bold red accents. The interior held onto a traditional layout with a touchscreen atop the center dash and physical climate controls below, making it user-friendly. The materials were of higher quality than its rivals, with soft-touch surfaces and sturdy construction. The GT models featured synthetic leather upholstery and a sportier suspension, making it a comfortable yet engaging ride. Despite its age, the Forte's design remained competitive against newer sedans in its class.

The 2022 Acura TLX offered a smooth and powerful driving experience, thanks to its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, it provided quick shifts and excellent gear selection. The optional Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system enhanced stability and handling precision, especially in tight corners. The Type S variant featured a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine with 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, making it a track-ready performer. The double-wishbone front suspension and adaptive dampers ensured consistent grip and balanced handling. However, the Type S's summer tires emitted extra noise on the highway, and its fuel economy was modest at 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

The 2023 Kia Forte offered two engine choices: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. The base engine, paired with a CVT, provided adequate acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 8.7 seconds. The GT trim, with its turbocharged engine, achieved 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and featured a sport-tuned suspension. The dual-clutch automatic transmission in the GT was quick but could be jumpy at lower speeds, while the six-speed manual offered more engagement. The GT's handling was sporty and precise, though the steering lacked feedback. Despite the sport-tuned suspension, the ride quality remained comfortable, and the cabin was relatively quiet.

Inside the 2022 Acura TLX, the front seats were comfortable with adjustable side bolsters and a thigh extension in the Type S. The driving position was low, and controls were well-marked. However, the touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, as it was not a traditional touchscreen. The climate control was straightforward, but trunk space was limited to 13.5 cubic feet. The rear seats offered decent headroom but suffered in legroom, making the TLX tight for four passengers.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space and comfort, even with basic adjustments. The dashboard and center console layout made controls easily accessible. A rubberized phone tray and available wireless charger added convenience. The rear seats offered enough room for average-sized adults, with higher trims featuring separate air conditioning vents and a USB charge port. The trunk had a capacity of 15.3 cubic feet, slightly more than competitors like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3 sedans. The cargo floor was flimsy, but the space itself was notable for its height, allowing for bulkier items.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a simple and quick infotainment interface, though some typefaces were too small to read easily. The head-up display, available only with the Advance Package, allowed interaction with various functions from the steering wheel. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was included in the Type S, along with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included "Jewel Eye" LED headlights and a full suite of driver assistance features.

The 2023 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the GT-Line and above received a 10.25-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with a wireless charging pad available in higher trims. The GT-Line added a navigation system and upgraded the audio system to six speakers, with an optional eight-speaker Harman Kardon system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and quick responses. However, wireless phone integration issues were noted in the test vehicle.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall score from the NHTSA. It featured standard knee airbags, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were included in the Technology Package and higher trims.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with some base forward collision mitigation features flagged as not meeting performance criteria. The IIHS awarded it the highest score of "Good" in most evaluations but rated it "Poor" in updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors.