2023 Kia Forte vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2022 Honda Civic was available in LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $21,700 and going up to $28,300, excluding a $995 destination charge. A new five-door hatchback was also set to return, but the two-door coupe was discontinued. The primary evaluation vehicle was a Civic Touring in Morning Mist Blue, priced at $29,690, including destination charges. Another model tested was a Civic Sport with Platinum White Pearl paint and the Honda Performance Development (HPD) appearance package, estimated at just under $25,880. The redesigned 2022 Civic had a more conservative and plain appearance compared to its predecessor, resembling the larger Accord sedan. The interior featured a minimalistic approach with improved materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflecting a more mature look.

The 2023 Kia Forte retained some of the carmaker's older design cues while incorporating newer styling elements. The double-tab grille and converging angled cutouts were notable features. The GT trims added bold red accents, which might not appeal to everyone. The interior held onto Kia's older layout with a touchscreen atop the center dash and traditional climate knobs below. The Forte's interior materials were nicer than its rivals, with soft-touch surfaces and sturdy construction. The GT models featured synthetic leather seat upholstery, which was more substantial than the thin vinyl-like coverings in competitors like the Toyota Corolla. Despite its age, the Forte's design remained competitive against newer sedans.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque for the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque for the EX and Touring trims. Both engines were paired with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) with Step Shift programming. The Civic's Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, enhancing responsiveness. The Civic's handling was enjoyable, with improved structural rigidity, suspension tuning, and steering feel. However, the Civic Touring returned 30.4 mpg on a 95-mile driving loop, falling short of the EPA's estimate of 34 mpg.

The 2023 Kia Forte offered two engine choices: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque for the GT trim. The base engine was paired with a CVT, while the GT trim offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The base engine accelerated to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, while the GT trim did it in 6.5 seconds. The GT trim also featured a sport-tuned suspension. The base model's CVT made it feel slower, but the GT's dual-clutch automatic kept power on tap. The manual transmission offered maximum engagement but was less fuel-efficient. The GT's handling was sporty, with precise steering and a comfortable ride quality.

The 2022 Honda Civic's redesigned front seats offered better support, especially in the leather-lined Touring trim. The power driver's seat was adjustable, but the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The back seat had more legroom than most in the segment, but the backrest angle might feel too reclined for some. The Civic lacked rear air conditioning vents and heated rear cushions in the Touring trim. The new center console had less storage space but more accessible cupholders. Trunk volume was 14.8 cubic feet, or 14.4 cubes with the Touring trim, with a split-folding backseat for added utility.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space for taller passengers and were comfortable for long drives. The dashboard and center console layout placed controls within easy reach. A rubberized phone tray and wireless charger were available in higher trims. Rear seats had enough room for average-sized adults, with higher trims offering separate air conditioning vents and a USB charge port. The trunk held up to 15.3 cubic feet of cargo, slightly more than the Honda Civic. The cargo floor had a flimsy fabric covering, but the space itself was notable for its height, allowing for bulkier items.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim offering a 10-inch display panel. The Vehicle Activity display showed when the LED headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals were on. The standard infotainment system had a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Touring trim offered a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, HD radio, satellite radio, and a navigation system. The Touring trim also featured a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 premium surround-sound audio system.

The 2023 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the GT-Line and above received a 10.25-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included with all models, but a wireless charging pad was available only in the GT-Line or higher trims. The GT-Line also added a navigation system and upgraded the audio system to six speakers. A premium eight-speaker Harman Kardon system was available as an option. The infotainment system featured sharp graphics, quick responses, and intuitive menu organization.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing collection of advanced driver assistance systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The Civic EX and Touring trims included a proper blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Civic's vehicle architecture was stronger, with new front airbag designs and rear side-impact airbags. A standard rear-seat reminder system was also included.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall, frontal, side, and rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Forte its highest score of "Good" in most evaluations but rated it "Poor" in the updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, adaptive cruise control, and pedestrian/cyclist detection.