2022 Kia Forte vs 2023 Acura Integra

The 2022 Kia Forte offered four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. The Forte GT, which we evaluated, came with Steel Gray paint, the GT2 Package, and a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $26,900, including a destination charge. This trim level featured a sporty look with red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and 18-inch wheels. The interior had a standard 4.2-inch driver information display, an electronic parking brake, and improved infotainment systems. The GT’s interior was sporty, with seat perforations, patterns, piping, and stitching that gave it a Germanic appearance.

The 2023 Acura Integra, with its pentagonal grille and JewelEye headlights, fit seamlessly with Acura’s design language. Replacing the ILX compact sedan, the Integra featured a five-door liftback design and embossed “Integra” nameplates. It was available in three trims: base, A-Spec, and A-Spec with Technology. The base model had 17-inch alloy wheels, while the A-Spec trim added 18-inch Shark Gray wheels. The rear end had a distinctive look with a decklid spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, and large taillights. Inside, the Integra shared similarities with the Honda Civic but had unique touches like honeycomb grilles and knurled metal finishes on the HVAC controls.

The 2022 Kia Forte carried over most of its mechanical components from the previous year. The FE, LXS, and GT-Line trims had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Forte GT, however, featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The GT trim also had a sport-tuned suspension, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and available Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer performance tires. Despite its fun driving experience, the Forte GT had some drawbacks, including less precise steering and underwhelming brakes during demanding driving.

The 2023 Acura Integra introduced a turbocharged engine for the first time, a 1.5-liter four-cylinder producing 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The A-Spec with Technology trim offered a six-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential, while lower trims came with a CVT. The Integra’s manual transmission featured automatic rev-matching technology, making downshifting smooth and easy. The car also had automatic stop/start and automatic brake hold features. The Integra’s suspension provided a sporty yet comfortable ride, and its variable-ratio electric power-steering system offered natural feel on highways and sharp response in corners. The Integra had three drive modes: Comfort, Normal, and Sport, with Sport mode noticeably stiffening the adaptive dampers and adding weight to the steering.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, especially with the GT2 option package, offered numerous features like 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 trips, with a height-adjustable front passenger seat and a large trunk offering 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear seats provided good room for a compact car, and the rear air conditioning vents kept passengers cool.

The 2023 Acura Integra’s liftback design provided practicality with 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. However, the high lift-over height made loading heavy items challenging. The front seats had a logical dashboard layout, smartly placed cupholders, and a decent center console cubby. Rear passengers had decent legroom but limited headroom due to the steeply sloped roofline. The seat cushions in the back were incredibly soft, adding to passenger comfort.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new Technology option packages for the LXS, GT-Line, and GT models, adding infotainment and safety systems. The FE and LXS trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the GT-Line and GT had a 10.25-inch touchscreen requiring a cable for these features. The GT trim also had 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 2023 Acura Integra came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Technology package upgraded the 7-inch touchscreen to a 9-inch unit, added a head-up display, and enabled wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The A-Spec with Technology trim also included a wireless charging pad, a USB-C port for the front seats, and two USB-A ports for the rear seats. The ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers provided an exceptional audio experience.

The 2022 Kia Forte included standard safety features like 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. Optional safety upgrades 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 rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Acura Integra came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, a rear-seat reminder, and hill-start assist. The A-Spec with Technology trim added low-speed braking control, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Integra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.