2022 Kia Forte vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

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.

For those on a tighter budget, the Forte was available in FE, LXS, or GT-Line trims, with base prices ranging from $19,090 to $21,290, plus the destination charge. The 2022 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, an updated center console, and improved infotainment systems. The GT’s interior had a sporty look with seat perforations, patterns, and polished metal accents.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over into 2022 with minimal changes. Its exterior resembled a downsized Altima, featuring a low-slung, coupe-like, and modern design. The Sentra was a significant improvement over its predecessors, offering a well-executed design language. Our test model came in a sedate gray paint scheme, but the Sentra was also available in bold colors like blue, burnt orange, and “Scarlet Ember.” The interior of the Sentra was a highlight, with a modern yet simple layout that combined form and function. The controls were user-friendly, and the trio of vents in the center of the dash added an upscale touch. The front cabin design was capped off by a touchscreen that served as the visual centerpiece.

The Sentra was available in S, SV, and SR trims. The base S trim included features like 16-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights, power windows, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SV trim added 16-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, and a larger 8-inch touchscreen. The SR trim featured 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and sport cloth seats with orange accent stitching. For 2022, the Sentra SR offered a Midnight Edition package with dark accents, including black 18-inch alloy wheels and a black rear spoiler. Our test model also came with optional ambient cabin lighting and external under-car lighting, executed tastefully.

The 2022 Kia Forte carried over most of its mechanical components from the previous year. All trims except the GT 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 either 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, and larger 18-inch alloy wheels. The car provided effortless acceleration and a good blend of ride and handling characteristics. However, the brakes were not up to the task of demanding mountain descents, and the engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable. The Forte GT did not meet its fuel economy promises, averaging 25.8 mpg on the testing loop and 32.8 mpg during a week-long loan. Despite its flaws, the Forte GT was a zippy commuter and comfortable road tripper, though not suitable for serious driving enthusiasts.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. The engine provided solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra’s steering was well-weighted, and cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most bumps well but struggled with harsher conditions. Overall, the Sentra was great for commuting, driving around town, and occasional road trips.

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, 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 seat room was remarkably good for a compact car, and the trunk offered 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the largest in the segment. The rear seats also folded down to expand capacity.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, which was better than many other small sedans but less than the Forte. The trunk space could be expanded with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the bench made it more difficult to slide larger items through. The Sentra’s trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a button on the dash. The Sentra had spacious seating in both rows, with plenty of headroom and legroom in the front seats and solid legroom in the rear seats. The front row also had large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, along with plenty of cupholders and trays in the center console.

For 2022, the 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. The FE and LXS trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. 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 Forte GT also had standard wireless smartphone charging and an available eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. The infotainment system was easy to use, though the voice recognition capabilities were hit-and-miss.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims featured a larger 8-inch touchscreen. The menu navigation was easy to follow, with conventional hard buttons and volume and tuning dials. However, the graphics could use updating, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered more Kia Drive Wise technology, with standard features 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. The GT-Line and GT trims added active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a Safe Exit Warning system. Depending on the trim level, additional safety features included cyclist detection, navigation-linked adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA). The Forte received high marks from the IIHS but a four-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Our test model included additional features like a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, though it received lower headlight ratings.