September 6

Car Comparison: 2022 Kia Forte vs Toyota Corolla

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The refreshed 2022 Kia Forte, which is available now at Huffines Kia Corinth, is among the top contenders in the compact sedan market. But how does the Forte stand up against one of its strongest rivals, the 2022 Toyota Corolla? Below, we compare the two models to help you to decide.

Exterior Features

2022 Kia Forte

Image by Artur Lewandowski is licensed with Unsplash license

The 2022 Kia Forte comes in FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT trim levels. It has newly styled front and rear fascias and lights, which, along with its low and wide stance, give it an aggressive and head-turning road presence. The Forte’s standard exterior features include automatic headlights, daytime running lights, and color-keyed mirrors. The FE trim has 15-inch steel wheels, while the LXS offers 16-inch alloys.

The GT-Line has a sportier design, with red-accented and black-finished bumpers, LED daytime running lights and fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, gloss black heated mirrors with LED turn signals, and taillights and a rear spoiler. The smart trunk opens automatically when you stand behind it with your smart key. The GT models also include LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, and dual exhaust tips.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla has not changed since the previous year. It’s available in L, LE, XLE, SE, and XSE trims, along with the SE Nightshade Edition and the sporty SE and XSE Apex Editions. The Corolla comes standard with LED headlights, daytime running lights and taillights, and body-color mirrors. The L-trimmed models come with 15-inch steel wheels, while the LE comes with 16-inch steel wheels.

The Corolla XLE has 16-inch alloy wheels and a sunroof, while the SE offers upgraded LED headlights and accent lighting, black 18-inch alloy wheels, mirrors with turn signals, a rear spoiler, and dual chrome exhaust tips. The Apex Editions feature unique bronze and black accents and two-tone paint with a black roof. 

Powertrains

Standard power for the Kia Forte is provided by a responsive 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels via an intelligent variable transmission. Under the Forte GT’s hood is a powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which offers 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, but you can also opt for a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission.

Most Toyota Corolla trims are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 139 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. This is paired with a continuously variable transmission. The SE and XSE models each feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The SE Apex Edition offers an optional six-speed manual transmission, while the Corolla LE features a hybrid powertrain that provides 121 hp.

Fuel Economy

The Forte’s base engine will reward you with up to 31 mpg around Corinth’s city streets and 41 mpg on the Texas highways. With the automatic transmission, the GT’s turbocharged engine offers 27 and 35 mpg for city and highway driving, respectively.

With the Corolla’s standard engine, you’ll get up to 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. The 2.0-liter engine will provide up to 31 mpg around town and 40 mpg on the road.

Interior Space

The Forte offers significantly more passenger and cargo space than other small sedans, including the Corolla.

Kia Forte dimensions:

  • Headroom: 38.8 inches front, 37.5 inches rear.
  • Legroom: 42.7 inches front, 35.7 inches rear.
  • Shoulder room: 56.1 inches front, 55.3 inches rear.
  • Trunk volume: 15.3 cubic feet.

Toyota Corolla dimensions:

  • Headroom: 38.3 inches front, 37.1 inches rear.
  • Legroom: 42.0 inches front, 34.8 inches rear.
  • Shoulder room: 54.0 inches front, 51.7 inches rear.
  • Trunk volume: 13.1 cubic feet.

Interior Features

Both the Kia Forte and Toyota Corolla have modern, stylish, and well-equipped cabins. The standard interior features in the Forte FE and LXS include remote keyless entry, woven cloth upholstery, and air conditioning. The GT-Line and GT offer plenty of great features, including smart key with remote start, simulated leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, LED interior lighting, alloy pedals, and a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel. 

The Corolla L trim is similarly equipped to the base Forte model. The LE adds remote keyless entry and automatic temperature control, while the SE includes a leather-bound steering wheel with paddle shifters. The XLE trim and above offer smart key entry with push-button start, faux leather seats, and heated front seats. 

Entertainment 

The Forte FE and LXS trims feature an 8-inch touch-screen display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, USB, auxiliary inputs, and a four-speaker audio system. The GT-Line and GT models have a 10.25-inch touch screen, voice command navigation, a front USB charging port, a wireless phone charger, and a six-speaker sound system with HD and satellite radio. The GT also includes a rear USB charging port. You can opt for a premium eight-speaker Harman Kardon system in these trims, which comes standard in the GT Manual.

The Corolla L trim offers a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, Bluetooth, USB media and charging ports, six-speaker audio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The other trims feature an 8-inch touch screen and a rear USB media port. The SE offers the option of a nine-speaker premium audio system, while the XLE and XSE have the option of a navigation system, wireless charging, and ambient lighting.

Pricing and Warranty

Prices for the 2022 Forte start with an MSRP of $19,090 for the FE trim and go up to a starting MSRP of $24,190 for the GT model or $24,890 when equipped with the manual transmission. The Forte gives you peace of mind with its five-year or 60,000-mile new car warranty and 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The starting MSRP for the 2022 Corolla L is $20,425, which rises to $28,710 for the XSE Apex Edition. The Corolla comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile vehicle warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2022 Kia Forte stands out with its superior performance, greater passenger and cargo capacity, lower price, and superb warranty coverage. Come and visit us at Huffines Kia Corinth today to see the outstanding features of the Forte for yourself.


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