Volvo S60 vs Kia Forte

Volvo had successfully transformed its image from quirky to sexy over the past decade, and the 2019 S60 was a testament to this change. The S60, a smaller version of the flagship S90, competed with luxury sedans like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. Its design featured straight lines and precise angles, with an athletic stance thanks to the rear fender and C-pillar. The S60's beauty was evident, and its design invited closer inspection. The trims included the entry-level Momentum, the sporty R-Design, and the luxurious Inscription, each offering a range of features from panoramic moonroofs to advanced driver-assistance systems.

In contrast, the 2020 Kia Forte GT, new for that year, topped the Forte lineup with a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission, sport-tuned suspension, and active exhaust. The GT's styling modifications, including revised bumpers, black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets, gave it a subtle yet potent look. Inside, the Forte GT featured red seat piping, a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, and gloss black trim with metallic accents, creating a modern and sporty interior. The Forte GT also offered a low base price and an industry-standard warranty, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.

The 2019 Volvo S60 offered three powertrain options: the T5, T6, and T8. The T5 featured a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, sent to front-wheel drive. The T6, which we drove, had a twin-charged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, sent to all-wheel drive. The range-topping T8 was a plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 400 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, offering a 21-mile all-electric range. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T6 provided instant throttle and transmission responses, making it a joy to drive. Fuel economy for the T6 was estimated at 21 mpg city, 32 highway, and 25 combined, with our test achieving 23.2 mpg.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant upgrade from the 147-horsepower engine in other Fortes. The GT featured a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) that delivered power to the front wheels. The DCT was well-behaved, providing smooth gear changes. The Forte GT also offered a 6-speed manual gearbox option. The GT's sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, and larger brakes contributed to its engaging driving experience. The car's driving modes, including Normal, Sport, and Smart, allowed for a customizable driving experience. The Forte GT excelled in handling, providing a firm and connected ride quality, and performed admirably on curvy roads.

The 2019 Volvo S60's interior design prioritized form over function. While it offered sensible steering-wheel-mounted controls and ample storage space, some controls were awkwardly placed. The starter's location between the front seats and the drive-mode selector's roller design were not user-friendly. However, the conventional shifter was a welcome choice. The backseat space was decent, and the 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space was average for the class.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT featured front sport seats with cloth inserts and Sofino simulated leather bolsters, with full Sofino leatherette available in the GT2 Package or manual transmission models. The 10-way power adjustable driver's seat provided excellent support, and the heated front seats were a nice touch. The backseat offered good comfort and support, with air conditioning vents for added convenience. The Forte GT's Smart Trunk technology allowed for hands-free access, revealing a roomy 15.3 cubic-foot cargo area. Interior storage was generous, with a wireless smartphone charging pad, door panel storage, and a large glovebox.

The 2019 Volvo S60 featured the Sensus touchscreen infotainment system, which took a tablet-like approach to menu navigation and graphics. While it looked great, many features were buried within the screen, making simple tasks like adjusting the temperature cumbersome. The system occasionally lagged and froze, which could be frustrating. However, it did include a Volume dial, Play/Pause button, and Home button for easier navigation.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, positioned atop the dashboard for easy reference. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a reversing camera. The GT and EX trims added SiriusXM satellite radio and Kia's UVO technology. The GT2 Package included an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, which performed well despite the car's ambient noise. The Forte GT's infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo knobs and menu shortcut buttons for easy interaction.

The 2019 Volvo S60 came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. It also included driver-assistance systems such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and traffic-sign recognition. The Advance Package added a head-up display, headlight washers, a 360-degree camera, and active bending headlights, along with the Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick according to the IIHS and came with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The GT with the GT2 Package included all available ADAS features. However, the automatic emergency braking system worked only at lower speeds, and the adaptive cruise control did not bring the car to a full stop. The lane-keeping and lane-centering assist systems worked well but required the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel. The Forte GT also included 911 Connect, an automatic collision notification system, and programmable alerts for speed, curfew, and geographical boundaries.