2022 Kia Forte vs 2023 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2022 Kia Forte offered four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. The Forte GT, which was evaluated for this review, 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 trim level featured a new grille, headlights, and bumpers, along with fresh wheel designs for the LXS and GT-Line. The GT-Line and GT received new fog lights and taillights, with the GT boasting brighter LED headlights. The GT also had a sportier look with red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and larger 18-inch wheels with a machined finish.

Inside, the 2022 Forte GT maintained a sporty look with traditional analog gauges, round outer air vents, and a thick-rimmed steering wheel with a flat-bottom design. The interior featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information display, a revised center console with an electronic parking brake and Auto Hold feature, and improved infotainment systems. The GT-Line and GT trims used a different kind of simulated leather than previous models, adding to the car's overall appeal.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, available in S, Sport, SE, SEL, and GLI trim levels, ranged in price from $20,665 to $31,585, excluding a $1,095 destination charge. The Jetta SEL, tested for this review, was dressed in Platinum Gray Metallic paint with a Volcano Brown over Titan Black interior and had an MSRP of $29,480. The Jetta's conservative design aimed for timeless appeal, though it lacked the symmetry and balance of previous generations. The SEL trim featured ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, an oversized power sunroof, and larger screens for digital instrumentation and infotainment systems, giving it an upscale feel.

The Jetta's interior was no-nonsense, with a focus on functionality. The SEL trim included an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, and the rear seats, while spacious, did not have air conditioning vents. The trunk offered 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly matching some midsize sedans.

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, however, offered a more exhilarating driving experience with its turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet 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 GT trim also featured a sport-tuned suspension, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and available Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer performance tires. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the Forte GT's brakes struggled during demanding mountain descents, and the engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable. The car averaged 25.8 mpg on the testing loop, slightly below the EPA's estimates.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The S and Sport trims came with a six-speed manual transmission, while the SE and SEL trims had an eight-speed automatic transmission. The automatic transmission included a Sport mode and a manual shifting mode, though there was a noticeable delay in acceleration. The Jetta SEL averaged 30 mpg on a mountainous testing loop, slightly below the EPA's 33 mpg combined rating.

The Jetta's driving experience was characterized by its light, responsive steering and a soft, compliant suspension. The car felt nimble in urban and suburban environments, and its accurate steering and predictable handling inspired confidence on mountain roads. The SEL trim's all-season tires provided excellent grip and communication about the road surface.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, equipped with the GT2 option package, offered numerous features such as a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a power sunroof, and upgraded LED interior lighting. The car proved comfortable for long road trips, with a height-adjustable front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents. The rear seat room was generous, and the trunk offered 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the largest in its segment.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The car provided ample space for four adults, with a large trunk offering 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space. The interior storage was generous, with a large bin under the center armrest, a sizable glove compartment, and storage areas in the door panels. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, and the rear seats did not have air conditioning vents.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new Technology option packages for the LXS, GT-Line, and GT trims, adding infotainment and safety systems. The FE and LXS trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen 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 GT trim also included 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 Volkswagen Jetta SEL featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrumentation panel and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with proximity-sensing surface, knobs for stereo volume, and menu-based functions. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the voice recognition system required a subscription for advanced features. The Car-Net connected services provided a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote engine starting, and other features for the first five years of ownership. The SEL trim included a Beats Audio premium sound system, though it was not particularly satisfying.

The 2022 Kia Forte came with standard Kia Drive Wise technology, 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. Optional 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 rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SE and SEL trims came with IQ.Drive, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist worked well on winding roads, while Emergency Assist could identify an unresponsive driver and bring the car to a safe stop. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but earned four stars for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS rated the Jetta's safety as Poor in a new moderate overlap frontal-impact crash test.