The Kia Forte reminds us of the well-known saying “champagne taste on a beer budget.” For car buyers with that mindset, the 2022 Forte offers styling and equipment that’s reminiscent of the Stinger sports sedan at a much more affordable price. Unfortunately, the Stinger’s winning performance isn’t part of the package. Instead, the Forte offers middling acceleration from a standard 147-hp four-cylinder and a chassis that’s tuned more for comfort than for sporty driving. A more powerful 201-hp GT model sits atop the lineup, but it’s not quite aggressive enough to hound performance-oriented alternatives such as the Honda Civic Si, Mazda 3, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI. But for buyers who couldn’t care less about performance and just want to maximize value, the Forte offers a lot to like.

What’s New for 2022?

For 2022 the Forte debuts a refreshed look, complete with revised front and rear bumpers, a new grille, updated exterior lighting elements, and new wheel designs. Inside, a new 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is optional and a host of new driver-assistance features are updated. All models now come standard with a lane-following assist system; the optional adaptive cruise control system now offers a feature that uses navigation data to adjust speed based on posted speed limits and it can also slow the the car in preparation for curves. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard features, a USB charging port can be added in the rear of the cabin, and the Forte’s center console has been reworked to accommodate a new electronic parking brake with auto hold.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Forte offers two different engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 201 horsepower. The 2.0-liter felt sluggish when we tested it, and the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) didn’t help. The non-turbocharged engine required 8.2 seconds to motivate the Forte from zero to 60 mph at our test track—notably slower than the Mazda 3, which got there in 7.0 seconds. The optional 201-hp turbocharged engine, however, puts the Forte GT in the same league as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Civic Si—in theory, at least. At our test track, a manual transmission-equipped GT test car managed a 6.7-second run to 60 mph, slightly off the pace of those two memorable performers. The Forte offers a comfortable and stable ride, but its handling isn’t as exciting as its Stinger-inspired exterior styling would suggest, even in the sportier GT model. In fact, when hustling the Forte in a recent comparison test against the Civic Si and the Jetta GLI, we found ourselves working harder in the Forte to keep up with the rest of the pack.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The interior of this car impressed us with its minimalist design and high-quality and upscale materials. The back seat is spacious enough for two adults to be comfortable, and long road trips in the Forte can be made without complaint. The base model offers all the basic amenities, but things get more pleasant as you work up through the various models. Dual-zone automatic climate control is optional, for example, as are heated and ventilated front seats. With all the seats up, the Forte fit seven carry-on bags, one more than both of its key rivals, the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2022 Forte is a steal given its available—even down to the base model. An 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard but GT-Line and GT trims come with a larger 10.3-inch display with in-dash navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio. All models come with a secondary 4.2-inch color display between the gauges, and a wireless smartphone charging pad is an option.