2022 Kia Forte vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2022 Kia Forte and the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offered vastly different experiences when it came to aesthetics and design philosophy. The Kia Forte presented buyers with four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. The GT trim, which we evaluated, featured a striking Steel Gray paint and the GT2 Package, pushing the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) to $26,900, including a destination charge of $1,055. Fresh for 2022, all models received a new grille, headlights, bumpers, and updated wheel designs.

The Forte GT stood out with its red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and larger 18-inch wheels, giving it a sportier appearance than its siblings. Despite these updates, it retained a sporty yet simple look inside with traditional analog gauges, round air vents, and a thick-rimmed steering wheel. Interior details such as seat perforations, piping, and stitching imparted a Germanic flair.

On the other hand, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class blended design elements from other Mercedes models into a cohesive, stylish package. The front end resembled the CLA-Class, while the rear echoed the luxury of the S-Class. This new C-Class flaunted a cab-rearward proportion emphasizing its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) platform, setting it apart from its front-wheel-drive (FWD) counterparts. Standard LED headlights and taillights further accentuated its premium look.

Inside, the Mercedes C-Class aspired to mimic the luxurious S-Class. It featured a freestanding touchscreen and instrument cluster, expressive air vents, and intricate speaker grilles, creating an opulent environment. Ambient lighting with 64 colors enhanced the cabin’s luxurious feel. However, despite its luxury status, standard seats were clad in synthetic MBTex leather, with Nappa leather available on higher trims.

In the performance arena, the 2022 Kia Forte's mechanical setup largely carried over from the previous year. Most trims, except the GT, were powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The fuel economy for this setup was impressive, rated at 35 mpg combined for the FE trim.

The Forte GT, however, offered a more exhilarating drive thanks to its turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Paired with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), the GT trim was geared for more spirited driving. It came with selectable driving modes, a sport-tuned suspension, and larger wheels with performance tires. Despite its fun driving dynamics, the Forte GT faced issues with brake performance on demanding mountain roads and produced significant engine noise at highway speeds. Additionally, real-world fuel economy fell short of EPA estimates.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 came equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This setup enabled the C300 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Mercedes also confirmed a sportier AMG C43 variant with a 402 hp engine.

Our C300 4Matic test model offered sufficient power but exhibited occasional turbo lag and less-than-smooth transmission shifts. Its ride quality was luxurious, absorbing bumps and potholes well. The C300 showcased commendable body control and precise steering on winding roads, though it required a deliberate approach in corners, lacking the eager agility of top sports sedans.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT’s interior, especially with the GT2 option package, boasted a variety of comfort features, including a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. On a road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, the Forte GT proved comfortable for long hours, with excellent height-adjustable front passenger seating and rear air conditioning vents.

Rear seat room was generous for a compact car, providing proper support, despite the hard plastic front seatback panels. The Forte’s trunk was notably spacious at 15.3 cubic feet, the largest in its segment, allowing versatile storage configurations.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, with increased dimensions compared to its predecessor, offered improved interior space. Headroom and legroom saw a slight increase, making it more competitive in its segment. The C-Class excelled in front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom, although front legroom lagged behind rivals.

The C-Class was designed with luxury and sportiness in mind, featuring comfortable yet well-bolstered seats. Visibility was generally good, but thick rear pillars created blind spots. Minor issues like glare from dashboard trim and an inconveniently placed wireless charging pad were noted.

For cargo, the C-Class boasted a larger trunk with 17.9 cubic feet of space, surpassing many competitors and providing ample room for luggage with a wide opening for easy access. Both cars offered impressive cargo capacities, but the C-Class took the lead with its expanded trunk size.

Kia’s 2022 Forte offered a variety of new Technology packages for the LXS, GT-Line, and GT models, adding advanced infotainment and safety features. While the base trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the GT-Line and GT trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch screen, requiring a wired connection for these functionalities. Additional features included SiriusXM satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and wireless smartphone charging in the GT.

The Forte’s infotainment system was user-friendly with intuitive menus, although its voice recognition capabilities were somewhat inconsistent. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a noteworthy inclusion, ensuring drivers didn’t miss moving traffic.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class came with a sophisticated infotainment setup, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen angled towards the driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. Higher trims offered additional luxuries like a Burmester surround-sound system, head-up display, and augmented reality navigation.

The MBUX infotainment system was lauded for its user-friendly interface, with a “Zero Layer” setup for quick access to functions. The voice recognition system was among the best, and steering wheel touch controls were logically grouped, enhancing the user experience. The optional augmented-reality navigation system provided clear, real-time visual guidance, improving navigation accuracy.

The 2022 Kia Forte included a comprehensive suite of Kia Drive Wise safety technologies as standard. Features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist were included across all trims. Higher trims added active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Advanced options like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist (HDA) were also available.

The Forte received high marks from the IIHS for crashworthiness and driving assist systems, though testing for LED headlights remained incomplete. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall crash protection rating, noting specific concerns for rear passenger safety in side impacts.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class also offered a robust array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Pre-Safe systems to prepare the car for an imminent collision. Optional features expanded the ADAS suite with lane-keep assist, a 360-degree camera, and advanced adaptive cruise control with Car-to-X communication capabilities.

Crash-test ratings for the new C-Class were not available at publication, but the previous model had been highly rated by the IIHS.