2022 Kia Forte vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Kia Forte offered four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. The Forte FE was known for its impressive fuel economy, achieving 41 mpg on the highway. The LXS trim provided essential features without unnecessary extras, while the GT-Line added a sporty appearance without enhancing driving dynamics. The GT trim was the most fun to drive, featuring a turbocharged engine and sport-tuned suspension. The Forte GT we reviewed came with Steel Gray paint, the GT2 Package, and a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $26,900, including a destination charge of $1,055. This model was well-equipped, aside from a few accessories.

For 2022, all Forte models received updates such as a new grille, headlights, and bumpers. The GT-Line and GT trims featured sportier looks, with the GT boasting red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and larger 18-inch wheels. The interior remained similar to the previous year, with a standard 4.2-inch driver information display and improved infotainment systems. The GT’s interior had a sporty look with traditional analog gauges, round outer air vents, and a thick-rimmed steering wheel. The seats featured Germanic-style perforations, patterns, and stitching, complemented by polished metal interior accents.

The 2022 Nissan Altima continued its evolution from its 1993 debut, maintaining a sporty look introduced in the third generation. Available in five trim levels—S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum—the Altima featured Nissan's V-Motion grille, a low, wide stance, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline. The Midnight Edition package on our test car, an SR with the base 2.5-liter engine and AWD, added gloss black accents, LED fog lights, 19-inch wheels, a moonroof, and heated front seats. The Gun Metallic paint complemented the Midnight Edition’s sporty appearance.

Inside, the Altima offered comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, a well-laid-out instrument panel, and high-quality materials, especially in higher trims. The interior provided a premium feel, though lower trims had less impressive materials. The Altima’s dimensions placed it in the middle of its class, with a 15.4 cubic feet trunk and a 16.2-gallon fuel tank. However, the high rear shelf compromised rear visibility, and the trunk’s metal bar supports could crush items when closing the lid.

The 2022 Kia Forte carried over most of its mechanical components from the previous year. The FE, LXS, and GT-Line trims featured 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 engine was 35 mpg combined for the FE trim and 33 mpg for the LXS and GT-Line. The Forte GT offered a more exciting driving experience with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine could be paired with 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, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and available Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer performance tires. The GT’s modifications provided effortless acceleration and enjoyable driving dynamics, though it wasn’t an outright performance sedan. The brakes struggled during demanding mountain descents, and the engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable. The Forte GT’s fuel economy fell short of EPA estimates, averaging 25.8 mpg on the testing loop and 32.8 mpg over a week of driving.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two four-cylinder engines: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter unit with 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) producing 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. Both engines featured direct injection and were paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT. The base engine was available with FWD or AWD, while the VC-Turbo was only available on the SR trim with FWD. The VC-Turbo engine could change its compression ratio for high performance or high efficiency, offering power comparable to V6 engines with the efficiency of a four-cylinder.

Our test car had the base 2.5-liter engine with AWD, providing mediocre acceleration and noticeable engine noise. However, the Altima’s suspension delivered a smooth, composed ride, and the cabin was impressively quiet. The Altima’s road manners were commendable, offering a refined driving experience despite the lackluster performance of the base engine.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, especially with the GT2 option package, offered numerous worthwhile features, including a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a power sunroof, upgraded LED interior lighting, and full SynTex simulated leather seats. The Forte GT proved comfortable for long road trips, with a height-adjustable front passenger seat and ventilated front seats. The dual-zone automatic climate control system and rear air conditioning vents kept passengers cool.

Rear seat room was impressive for a compact car, with a large and supportive bottom seat cushion. The Forte’s trunk offered 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the largest in its segment. The rear seats could fold down to expand capacity, and a grab handle on the trunk lid made it easy to close without getting dirty.

The 2022 Nissan Altima provided comfortable seating for four (five for short distances), easy-to-use controls, and a decent-sized trunk. Its dimensions placed it in the middle of its class, with a 15.4 cubic feet trunk and a 16.2-gallon fuel tank. However, the high rear shelf compromised rear visibility, and the trunk’s metal bar supports could crush items when closing the lid.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new Technology option packages for the LXS, GT-Line, and GT models, adding infotainment and safety systems. The GT-Line Premium Package further expanded the tech available for that trim level. A rear-seat USB port and remote engine starting capability were newly available. The FE and LXS trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line and GT trims had a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with more features but required a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT also had wireless smartphone charging and an available eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system.

The Forte’s infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive menus and physical knobs for volume and tuning. However, the voice recognition system was hit-and-miss, and Kia Connect’s functionality was inconsistent. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature, notifying drivers when traffic ahead started moving.

The 2022 Nissan Altima’s entry-level S trim came with a 5-inch multi-function information display and a 7-inch color touchscreen audio display with Bluetooth, voice recognition, Siri Eyes Free, and a hands-free text-messaging assistant. Higher trims had a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch color touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and two USB ports. The SL trim and above featured a nine-speaker Bose premium audio system, navigation, connected services, and remote engine start with intelligent climate control.

The advanced drive-assist display allowed drivers to handle text messages, stream audio, monitor fuel economy, and more without removing their hands from the steering wheel. Active noise cancellation, available on the SR VC-Turbo trim, mitigated unwanted noise. Other available technologies included traffic sign recognition, an Around View Monitor, and Nissan's ProPilot Assist system, which assisted with acceleration, steering, and braking tasks under certain conditions.

The 2022 Kia Forte came with standard Kia Drive Wise technology, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. The GT-Line and GT trims added active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with rear automatic braking, and a Safe Exit Warning system. Additional safety features included cyclist detection, navigation-linked adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA).

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Forte high marks for crashworthiness and driving assist systems, though testing of the revised LED headlights was incomplete. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Forte a four-star overall crash protection rating, with a three-star frontal impact rating for the front passenger and concerns about rear passenger injury in a side impact.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with standard driver-assist technology, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic high-beam headlights, driver-attention warning, Rear View Monitor, rear door alert, and hill-start assist. The SV trim and above added Nissan's Safety Shield 360, which included rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and a rear sonar system. The optional Driver Assist package on the base S trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and a rear sonar system.

The NHTSA awarded the FWD version of the Altima five stars for overall crash protection, front crash protection, side crash protection, and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the Altima its "Top Safety Pick+" designation, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests and high ratings for crash avoidance and mitigation.