2023 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Kia Forte

The 2022 Kia Forte offered four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. The Forte GT, evaluated for this review, came with Steel Gray paint, the GT2 Package, carpeted floor mats, and an MSRP of $26,900, including a $1,055 destination charge. The GT trim featured a new grille, headlights, bumpers, and exclusive details like red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and 18-inch wheels with a machined finish. The interior boasted a sporty look with traditional analog gauges, a thick-rimmed steering wheel, and polished metal accents.

The 2023 MINI Cooper, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or two-door convertible, maintained its iconic design. The JCW model tested featured a gradient paint effect, 18-inch wheels, and red brake calipers. The interior had Chesterfield leather seats with diamond-patterned stitching and a giant circular touchscreen on the dash. The Cooper's playful design included a glowing ring around the touchscreen that responded to various controls, adding a unique touch to the driving experience.

The 2022 Kia Forte's mechanical components largely carried over from the previous year. Most trims had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Forte GT, however, featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT. The GT trim also included a sport-tuned suspension, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and available Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer performance tires. Despite its fun driving dynamics, the Forte GT's brakes struggled on demanding descents, and the engine noise at highway speeds was notable.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest Cooper, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed manual transmission had an abrupt clutch take-up, making it ideal for teaching manual driving but challenging for smooth launches. The JCW's handling was enjoyable, with flat cornering and adaptive dampers, but the steering felt a beat behind the desired angle. The base Cooper models had a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three with 134 hp, while the Cooper S had a detuned version of the JCW engine with 189 hp. The electric MINI Cooper SE offered 114 miles of range.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, especially with the GT2 option package, provided numerous features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Forte's height-adjustable front passenger seat and ventilated front seats added comfort for long trips. The rear seat offered good room for a compact car, and the trunk's 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space was the largest in its segment.

The 2023 MINI Cooper's outward visibility was good, and the front seats offered ample legroom and headroom. However, the rear bench on the two-door model and the cargo hold were limited, with just nine cubic feet of space. The four-door models offered more cargo space, expanding to 41 cubic feet with the seats down. The convertible models had only eight cubic feet of cargo space but featured a tailgate that folded down for unobstructed access and roof rails that allowed the fabric section to slide back like a sunroof.

For 2022, the 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 with more features but required a cable for smartphone connectivity. The Forte GT also had standard wireless smartphone charging and an available eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition capabilities were hit-and-miss.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, connected apps, LED headlights, and Union Jack-patterned taillights. The Cooper S models in Signature trim added a panoramic moonroof and heated leatherette seats. The infotainment system used reskinned BMW iDrive software, which was several versions old. The system included unique features like an Openometer and cartoonish sounds and chimes, adding a playful touch to the driving experience.

The 2022 Kia Forte included standard 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, and a Safe Exit Warning system. Optional safety features included cyclist detection, navigation-linked adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS but a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with eight airbags, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. However, it lacked many advanced safety features available in similarly priced cars. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain versions with the automatic transmission. The NHTSA had not rated the MINI Cooper, and the IIHS last published safety ratings for the 2014 model, which was structurally identical to the 2023 model.