2022 Kia Forte vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, part of the current generation that began with the 2019 hatchback and 2020 sedan, aimed to shed Toyota's "boring" image with bold exterior styling. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it didn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesiveness of the Honda Civic. Different trim levels offered unique styling elements, such as the aggressive front fascia on SE and XSE models, blacked-out trim on Nightshade Editions, and a subtle body kit with bronze accents on Apex Editions. The SE Apex Edition, in particular, stood out with its Cement gray color and sporty appearance, though the interior remained simple and less imaginative, with standard cloth upholstery and optional SofTex leatherette.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT, with the GT being the most fun to drive. The Forte GT, priced at $26,900 with the GT2 Package, featured Steel Gray paint, carpeted floor mats, and a host of accessories. The 2022 model year brought a new grille, headlights, and bumpers to all Forte models, with fresh wheel designs for LXS and GT-Line trims. The GT-Line and GT trims received new fog lights and taillights, with the GT boasting brighter LED headlights. The GT also featured red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and larger 18-inch wheels, though the intricate wheel design was challenging to clean. The interior remained similar to the previous year, with a sporty look, standard 4.2-inch driver information display, and improved infotainment systems.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE models had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, with the Apex Edition versions getting a sport exhaust system. The smaller engine came with a mandatory CVT, while the 2.0-liter engine was available with a six-speed manual gearbox on SE and SE Apex Edition models. All Corollas were front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive expected in the 2023 model year. The SE Apex Edition, with its manual transmission, sport exhaust, and model-specific suspension, offered nimble handling and a sportier driving experience, though it lacked significant tire, brake, or engine upgrades.

The 2022 Kia Forte carried over most of its mechanical components from the previous year. All trims except the GT had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The Forte GT, however, featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GT also had Smart, Normal, and Sport driving modes, a sport-tuned suspension, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and optional Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer performance tires. The Forte GT offered effortless acceleration and enjoyable driving dynamics, though it wasn't a full-fledged performance sedan like the Hyundai Elantra N. The brakes struggled on demanding descents, and the engine noise at highway speeds was noticeable. Despite these flaws, the Forte GT was a fun and practical daily driver.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior felt decently roomy, though Toyota didn't release specific headroom and legroom measurements. The low beltline improved outward visibility, but the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard hindered forward visibility. The driver's seat positioning was optimized, but long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. The sleek interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin center console and shallow cupholders.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, especially with the GT2 option package, offered numerous comfort features, including a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a power sunroof, and upgraded LED interior lighting. The height-adjustable front passenger seat was standard on all trims, ensuring proper leg support. The Forte GT's ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control system, along with rear air conditioning vents, provided comfort on long trips. Rear seat room was impressive for a compact car, with supportive cushions and ample space for both children and adults. The Forte's trunk, at 15.3 cubic feet, was the largest in the segment, accommodating full-size suitcases and offering a grab handle for easy closure.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system lagged behind more recently redesigned compact cars. The base model featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL audio system was available on higher trims. The interface was user-friendly, but some tasks were less intuitive, and the graphics looked dated. The Corolla lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and didn't offer novel features like Hyundai's Digital Key.

The 2022 Kia Forte introduced new Technology option packages for LXS, GT-Line, and GT trims, adding infotainment and safety systems. The GT-Line and GT offered remote engine starting via the key fob. The FE and LXS trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the GT-Line and GT featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with more features but required a cable for smartphone connectivity. The larger screen added SiriusXM satellite radio, voice recognition, and Kia Connect services. The Forte GT had standard wireless smartphone charging and an available eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The infotainment system was easy to use, though the voice recognition capabilities were hit-and-miss. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature, notifying drivers when traffic ahead started moving.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests, though the headlights received lower ratings. The NHTSA gave the Corolla a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, Lane Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered more Kia Drive Wise technology, with standard features including 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 with rear automatic braking, and Safe Exit Warning. Additional safety features included cyclist detection, navigation-linked adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. The IIHS gave the Forte high marks for crashworthiness and driving assist systems, though headlight testing was incomplete. The NHTSA awarded the Forte a four-star overall rating, with a three-star frontal impact rating for the front passenger and concerns about rear passenger injury in side impacts.