2023 Kia Forte vs 2022 Hyundai Elantra

In the past, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra's design was rather unremarkable, blending into the crowd without drawing much attention. However, the 2021 redesign transformed the Elantra into a striking vehicle with a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, giving it a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. The exterior styling, reminiscent of the midsize Sonata sedan, featured unique creases and folds that created a distinctive "Z" shape on the doors, adding character and setting it apart from its competitors. Inside, the Elantra's interior saw significant improvements in material quality, look, and feel, offering a slightly above-average experience for the compact car class. Despite some hard plastic surfaces, the overall interior quality was commendable, especially considering the car's starting price of around $20,000.

The 2023 Kia Forte retained some of the carmaker's older design cues while incorporating newer styling elements. The double-tab grille and converging angled cutouts gave it a modern look, while the GT trims added bold red accents for extra excitement. The interior held onto Kia's older layout with a touchscreen mounted atop the center dash and traditional climate knobs below. Despite this, the Forte's cabin remained appropriately modern and user-friendly. The interior materials were notably nicer than those of its contemporaries, with soft-touch surfaces and sturdy construction. The GT models featured convincing synthetic leather seat upholstery and thicker materials, making the cabin feel more substantial. Overall, the Forte's design aged well and remained competitive against newer sedans in its class.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options. The SE, SEL, and Limited trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, a 32-kilowatt electric motor, and a 1.32-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, delivering a total system output of 139 hp and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. The N Line trim boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and multi-link independent rear suspension provided enhanced handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2023 Kia Forte offered two engine choices. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and FWD. The GT trim featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, available with either a seven-speed DCT or a six-speed manual transmission. The base engine provided adequate acceleration, while the GT trim offered a more exciting performance with a sport-tuned suspension. The GT's DCT kept power on tap but could be jumpy at lower speeds, while the manual transmission provided maximum engagement. The GT's handling was sporty and precise, though the steering lacked feedback. Despite the sport-tuned suspension, the GT's ride quality remained comfortable, with road noise being the only notable intrusion.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was designed for ease of use and practicality. Its compact size made it easy to navigate tight spaces, and the instrumentation and controls were clearly marked and user-friendly. The Elantra offered plenty of storage options, and the seats were comfortable, though the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to get in and out. The Elantra provided excellent outward visibility and ample space for small families. The rear seats could accommodate three children comfortably, though taller adults might find the sloped roofline limiting headroom. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, adequate for most needs, though the narrow trunk opening could be challenging. The power tilt-and-slide moonroof had a noticeable droning noise when fully open, and the lack of USB ports and rear air conditioning vents were minor inconveniences.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space for taller passengers and were comfortable for long drives. The dashboard layout placed controls within easy reach, and the rubberized phone tray and wireless charger added convenience. The rear seats offered enough room for average-sized adults, with ample headroom, legroom, and foot space. Higher trims included separate air conditioning vents and a USB charge port for rear passengers. The trunk provided 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly more than some competitors, with a notable height for bulkier items. The remote seatback releases made it easy to expand the cargo area, though the cargo floor's flimsy fabric covering seemed out of place.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with a surprising level of technology for its price. The base SE trim featured an 8-inch display audio touchscreen with a rearview camera, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, four speakers, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, Blue Link connected services, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Limited trims included an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, dynamic voice recognition, and wireless device charging. The Hyundai Digital Key allowed Android users to unlock, start, and drive the car without a physical key. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the six-speaker audio system's performance was merely adequate.

The 2023 Kia Forte featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on lower trims, while the GT-Line and above received a 10.25-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all models, with a wireless charging pad available on 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 had sharp graphics, quick responses, and intuitive menu organization. Despite some issues with wireless phone integration in the test vehicle, the Forte's tech features met expectations and were comparable to other cars in the class.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering assistance. Additional features included driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims added intersection turn assistance, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist. The Elantra received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests, with the Limited trim's LED headlights receiving a "Good" rating.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, side, and rollover protection. Some base forward collision mitigation features did not meet the Administration's performance criteria, but available upgrades did. The IIHS awarded the Forte "Good" ratings in most evaluations, except for the updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests, which received "Poor" ratings. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, a safe passenger exit system, adaptive cruise control, and pedestrian/cyclist detection.