Nissan Maxima vs Kia Forte

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set a bold design precedent for other Nissan models. Its distinctive styling, featuring a "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille, was later adopted by smaller sedans like the Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima stood out with its aggressive front end and large grille, reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive. The 40th Anniversary Edition added a two-tone exterior, black trim, and red leather upholstery, enhancing its already striking appearance. Despite its bold design, the Maxima's interior was tastefully dressed with dark-red leather seats and white gauge faces, offering a stylish yet functional cabin.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Forte offered a more varied lineup with four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. The Forte GT, evaluated in this review, featured a sporty look with Steel Gray paint, red-accent detailing, and 18-inch wheels. The GT2 Package added premium features, making it a well-equipped choice. The Forte's design updates included a new grille, headlights, and bumpers, with the GT-Line and GT receiving additional sporty elements. The interior maintained a sporty aesthetic with analog gauges, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and polished metal accents, providing a comfortable and stylish cabin for both driver and passengers.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While not a "four-door sports car," the Maxima offered a satisfying driving experience with its quick acceleration and impressive V6 engine sound. The CVT was responsive, enhancing the driving dynamics. However, the Maxima's steering lacked precision, and torque steer was noticeable under heavy throttle. Despite these limitations, the Maxima excelled in highway cruising, offering a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT, on the other hand, provided a more spirited driving experience with its turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Drivers could choose between a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Forte GT featured a sport-tuned suspension, larger wheels, and available performance tires, delivering a blend of ride comfort and handling prowess. However, the brakes struggled during demanding driving, and the engine noise was noticeable at highway speeds. Despite these drawbacks, the Forte GT was a fun and practical daily driver, offering good fuel economy and a zippy commute.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat comfort, offering generous headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, rear-seat space was limited, with cramped headroom and legroom. The Maxima's interior design focused on the driver, providing excellent visibility and easy access to controls. The "Zero Gravity" front seats, inspired by NASA research, offered optimal support and comfort. Cargo space was limited to 14.3 cubic feet, making it less practical for larger loads compared to hatchback competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Forte GT excelled in interior space and comfort. The GT2 option package added features like a power-adjustable driver's seat, ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Forte's rear seat offered ample room for a compact car, with supportive cushions and rear air conditioning vents. The trunk provided 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the largest in its segment, with fold-down rear seats for added versatility. The Forte's interior was well-suited for long road trips, offering comfort and practicality for both driver and passengers.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's technology showed its age, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. While it included a WiFi hotspot and USB ports, the infotainment system's graphics and interface were dated and difficult to navigate. The Maxima offered analog controls for convenience, but the notification sounds were jarring and unpleasant.

The 2022 Kia Forte, however, offered a more advanced technology suite. The GT-Line and GT trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with SiriusXM, voice recognition, and Kia Connect services. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were limited to lower trims, the Forte's infotainment system was user-friendly with intuitive menus. The Forte GT also included wireless smartphone charging and an available Harman Kardon sound system. The voice recognition system had mixed results, but the Leading Vehicle Departure Alert was a standout feature, enhancing convenience in traffic.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received top safety ratings, earning an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system added to its safety credentials. However, the Maxima lacked the ProPilot Assist system found in other Nissan models.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a comprehensive suite of safety features across all trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. The Forte's Highway Driving Assist system provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities, enhancing safety on highways. While the IIHS rated the Forte's crashworthiness highly, NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating due to concerns about rear passenger safety in side impacts.