2023 Kia Forte vs 2023 Acura TLX

The 2023 Kia Forte, a compact sedan, retained its design from the 2019 redesign, blending older and newer styling elements. Its double-tab grille was a long-standing Kia identifier, while the angled cutouts hinted at the brand's latest design language. The GT trims added bold red accents, which might not have appealed to everyone. The Forte's side and rear design were typical for its class, but its overall shape was more graceful than some competitors. Inside, the Forte maintained Kia's older layout with a touchscreen atop the dash and traditional climate controls below. While newer models adopted a more high-tech look, the Forte's modern appearance and user-friendly controls made it easy to acclimate to the infotainment system. The interior materials were notably nicer than those of its contemporaries, with less hard plastic and more soft-touch surfaces. The GT models featured convincing synthetic leather upholstery, and despite the rear seats having more hard plastic, the Forte remained competitive against newer sedans.

The 2023 Acura TLX faced challenges due to the consumer shift to SUVs and supply chain constraints. Despite these hurdles, the TLX stood out on the road, especially in Southern California, where the eye-catching TLX Type S, with its Tiger Eye Pearl paint and performance upgrades, was tested. The TLX's design, based on a concept vehicle, introduced a new design language to Acura. It featured a long, low, and lean look with a rear-wheel-drive appearance, though this impacted rear-seat room and cargo space. Inside, the TLX's layered dashboard emphasized width, but the control layout required relearning, causing unnecessary distraction. The Type S test car, with a turbocharged V6 engine and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, was the most expensive version, while the base TLX with a turbocharged four-cylinder and front-wheel drive was more affordable. Option packages included the Technology, A-Spec, and Advance Packages, with varying drivetrain options.

The 2023 Kia Forte offered two engine choices. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. The GT trim featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The base engine accelerated the Forte to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, while the GT achieved it in 6.5 seconds. The base powertrain was adequate for most drivers, while the GT offered more excitement and performance with its sport-tuned suspension. The CVT made the base model feel slower, but it handled highway traffic well. The GT's dual-clutch automatic kept power on tap but was jumpy at lower speeds. The manual transmission offered maximum engagement, though it was slightly slower and less fuel-efficient. The GT's sport-tuned suspension provided sporty handling, and the ride quality was comfortable despite some road noise.

The 2023 Acura TLX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a paddle-shifted 10-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the trim and drivetrain, it returned 24 to 25 mpg in combined driving. The TLX offered multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with the Type S adding a Sport+ mode. The Acura SH-AWD system, available on certain trims, provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing power, grip, and control. The Type S model featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, along with performance enhancements like a sport automatic transmission, adaptive dampers, and Brembo brakes. The Type S accelerated to 60 mph in five seconds and reached a top speed of 155 mph, with an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving. The TLX's Electro Servo braking system, based on NSX technology, was less satisfying on twisty roads, but the Type S was otherwise a delight to drive, offering fast acceleration, excellent handling, and a comfortable ride.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, and despite basic adjustments, they were comfortable for long drives. The dashboard and center console layout placed controls within easy reach, allowing for operation without taking eyes off the road. A rubberized phone tray kept devices secure, and higher trims offered a wireless charger. The rear seats accommodated average-sized adults comfortably, with ample headroom, legroom, and foot space. Higher trims included rear air conditioning vents and a USB charge port. The trunk offered 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, more than some competitors, with a notable height for bulkier items. Remote seatback releases added convenience.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S offered interior color options in premium Milano leather with artificial suede inserts and contrast stitching. The flat-bottom sport steering wheel faced analog gauges with low-contrast red markings, making them challenging to read. The TLX lacked a digital instrumentation panel found in the MDX. The Type S featured 16-way power-adjustable front sport seats with heating and ventilation, and an optional heated steering wheel. Front seat comfort was excellent, but rear seat comfort was lacking due to narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk held 13.5 cubic feet of cargo, more akin to a compact car, but a flat trunk floor and enclosed hinges maximized usability.

The 2023 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the GT-Line and higher trims received a 10.25-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with a wireless charging pad available on higher trims. The GT-Line added a navigation system and upgraded the audio system to six speakers, with an optional eight-speaker Harman Kardon system. The infotainment system featured sharp graphics, quick responses, and intuitive menu organization. Despite a test vehicle anomaly, the wireless phone integration generally worked well in other Forte models.

The 2023 Acura TLX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was a source of frustration. The 10.2-inch display was not touch-sensitive, requiring use of the TTI touchpad, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. A stereo volume knob and radio tuning button were provided, but the driving mode knob was often mistaken for volume control. The TTI's one-to-one relationship with the display was distracting and occupied valuable console space. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and AcuraLink services, with upgrades like wireless charging, navigation, and premium audio. The TLX lacked Alexa Built-In, but AcuraLink Remote made it Alexa-compatible. The 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system sounded excellent.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, side, and rollover protection. Some base forward collision mitigation features did not meet performance criteria, but upgrades were available. The IIHS awarded the Forte its highest score of "Good" in most evaluations, except for "Poor" in updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors.

The 2023 Acura TLX came standard with AcuraWatch, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The Type S added rain-sensing wipers and a wiper de-icer system. The TLX's Advanced Engineering Compatibility body structure and eight airbags enhanced safety. The IIHS awarded the TLX a Top Safety Pick+ rating, and the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall crash-test rating, with a four-star rating for the front passenger's seating position in a frontal-impact collision.