2022 Kia Forte vs 2023 BMW 7 Series

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of trim levels, each catering to different preferences and budgets. The Forte GT, which we evaluated, stood out with its sporty design elements, including red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and 18-inch wheels. The interior maintained a sporty aesthetic with features like a flat-bottom steering wheel and polished metal accents. Despite its sporty appearance, the Forte GT was not a high-performance sedan but provided a comfortable and stylish ride for daily driving.

In contrast, the 2023 BMW 7 Series introduced a bold new design language, particularly noticeable in its front-end styling with an oversized grille and split lighting elements. The profile retained the classic 7 Series silhouette, while the rear end featured distinctive horizontal taillights. Inside, the 7 Series boasted a modern and minimalistic interior with high-quality materials and a futuristic curved glass housing for the instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The rear seats offered luxurious comfort, especially with the optional Rear Executive Lounge Seating package.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT was equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It offered a choice between a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Forte GT's sport-tuned suspension and larger wheels contributed to a more engaging driving experience, although it fell short of being a true performance sedan. The brakes, however, struggled during demanding driving conditions, and the engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable. Fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 25.8 mpg during testing.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered two powertrains, with the 740i featuring a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine producing 375 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The 760i xDrive upgraded to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, delivering 536 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The 760i xDrive accelerated to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, providing a powerful and smooth driving experience. The ride quality was slightly stiffer than some competitors, but the handling was sportier, especially in Sport mode. The semi-automated driving system further enhanced long-distance comfort.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT offered a comfortable interior with features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The rear seat provided ample space for a compact car, and the trunk was notably large at 15.3 cubic feet. The GT2 option package added valuable features, enhancing the overall comfort and convenience for long trips.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series featured power-operated doors, though they could be cumbersome to use. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with standard heating and ventilation. The rear seats were spacious, accommodating tall passengers with ease, and the lounge seating option added a reclining seat with massage functions. The trunk offered 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly larger than some competitors. Interior storage was adequate, with wireless charging and multiple USB ports available.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new Technology option packages, enhancing infotainment and safety features. The 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims provided wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 10.25-inch display on higher trims required a cable connection. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though voice recognition was hit-and-miss. The Forte GT included wireless smartphone charging and an available Harman Kardon sound system.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series came with iDrive 8, featuring a touchscreen, central dial, and voice commands. While basic functions were easy to use, deeper menu navigation was complex. Voice controls helped mitigate this, but they interrupted audio playback. The standard 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system provided excellent audio quality. The optional theater screen had usability challenges, and the overall infotainment experience felt less intuitive compared to previous iterations.

The 2022 Kia Forte included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. The IIHS rated the Forte's crashworthiness highly, but the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating due to concerns about rear passenger safety in side impacts.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driving Assistance Professional package added a hands-free automated driving system for highways. The adaptive cruise control and highway driving assistant were praised for their smooth operation and effectiveness in reducing driver fatigue.