2020 Kia Forte
Starting at
$17,890
2020 Toyota Corolla
Starting at
$19,825
| 201 | Max Horsepower (HP) | 169 |
| 195 | Max Torque (lb-ft) | 151 |
| 15.3 | Max Cargo Space (cu.ft.) | 13.2 |
For drivers interested in affordable and quality transportation, there are few better vehicles to compare than the 2020 Kia Forte vs 2020 Toyota Corolla. Both these compact cars saw significant changes for their 2020 model years, with the Kia Forte receiving an all-new performance variant while the Toyota Corolla was entirely redesigned for its twelfth generation. This redesign has made the 2020 Toyota Corolla better than ever with a significant update to its infotainment system as well as a more powerful engine option for its sporty trims. However, these changes were effectively the Toyota playing catch up as the Kia Forte was already entirely redesigned for the 2019 model year.
And while the sporty Corollas are finally a bit more powerful than the base models, the brand new 2020 Kia Forte GT is a true performance car and boasts a turbocharged engine producing over 200 hp. Altogether, the 2020 Toyota Corolla is a real improvement over the outgoing model year and continues to provide reliable basic transportation. However, the 2020 Kia Forte is a more capable car in its standard form and is in an entirely different class altogether in its GT variant.
Performance
While the 2020 Kia Forte and 2020 Toyota Corolla may occupy the same market niche, when it comes to comparing the mechanics of these two cars, the Kia Forte comes out far ahead. The Toyota Corolla has a reputation for being a somewhat boring car, and putting it next to the Kia Forte reveals just how true that status is. With more engine power, lighter weight, larger brakes, and more transmission options, the 2020 Kia Forte is the vehicle of choice for drivers seeking an entertaining driving experience.
Kia Forte Performance
The base engine in the 2020 Kia Forte is a 2.0L four-cylinder with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. And while the base engine Forte does come standard with a continuously variable transmission, it can also be had as a six-speed manual that offers 100 pounds of weight savings. But the new sporty GT trims of the 2020 Kia Forte have a 1.6L turbocharged engine producing 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. And while the Forte GT, of course, comes with a six-speed manual transmission option, it is also available with a fast-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters.
And the improvements to the 2020 Kia Forte GT are not limited to the engine alone. It also has a completely redesigned rear suspension for improved handling and larger 12” brakes for quick stops. This last point is particularly significant as the 2020 Toyota Corolla uses the same 10.8” brakes on every trim, which are actually already smaller than the 11.0” found on the base 2020 Kia Forte even though the Corolla is the heavier car.
The Corolla's Engines
The 2020 Toyota Corolla is also available with two different engine options; however, the performance does not come near that of the Forte. The standard engine is a 1.8L four-cylinder with 139 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque. The sporty SE and XSE trims of the 2020 Toyota Corolla come with a larger and more powerful engine than the other trims. However, this upgrade is only a 2.0L four-cylinder with 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, which only takes the 2020 Corolla from underpowered to the middle of the pack; and the Forte completely outshines it.
Features
Space for People, Space for Cargo
While both the 2020 Kia Forte and 2020 Toyota Corolla are compact cars and their exterior dimensions are nearly identical, the Kia Forte offers a roomier interior. Both rows of seats in the Forte have around an extra half-inch of headroom, and the back seats have almost a full inch more legroom. While this might not seem like much on paper, it will be noticeable over longer drives.
The Kia Forte also offers a significantly larger trunk than the Toyota Corolla, with 15.3 cu.ft. of cargo room rather than 13.1 cubic feet. In real-world terms, that means that the 2020 Kia Forte can fit an extra piece of carry-on luggage or a couple more grocery bags without taking up space in the rear seats. While a compact car will never have the volume of an SUV, the 2020 Kia Forte does make for a roomier and more versatile vehicle than the 2020 Toyota Corolla.
Features to Provide Convenience and Comfort
When it comes to comparing the features of the two cars, it is somewhat challenging to say if either one is truly better than the other. Most of the significant features, from their smart-key systems to their sunroofs, are similar between the two cars and are offered at comparable trims. Still, there are a few differences.
More trims of the 2020 Toyota Corolla come with power-adjustable seats and automatic climate control, making it a slightly more comfortable interior. But the 2020 Kia Forte offers more 12-volt outlets and USB ports for keeping your electronic devices charged, as well as a wider variety of interior color options to personalize your car better. The GT trims of the Kia Forte also have a more appealing interior design than the sport trims of the Toyota Corolla, offering thoughtful touches such as a D-shaped sport steering wheel and bright alloy pedals.
Technology
In the modern world, technology plays a significant role in purchasing a car. Not only do we want all of the entertainment aspects of technology in our vehicles, but now technology can make cars safer than ever. And luckily, both the 2020 Kia Forte and the 2020 Toyota Corolla offer an abundance of entertainment and safety technology.
A Look at Infotainment
Comparing the infotainment systems in the two vehicles, there are few significant differences. Although Toyota long had some of the older infotainment systems on the market, it has put considerable effort into updating the infotainment in its newer models, and the 2020 Toyota Corolla is a beneficiary of that effort. In their top configurations, both the 2020 Kia Forte and 2020 Toyota Corolla are equipped with 8” touch screens, nine-speaker premium audio systems, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and built-in navigation. However, there are some differences in the lower trims.
To begin with, the base trim of the 2020 Toyota Corolla only has a smaller 7” touch screen while all trims of the 2020 Kia Forte have the same 8” screen. The Corolla’s nine-speaker JBL audio system is also only an option on the top trims, while the Forte’s Harman Kardon nine-speaker audio is standard on its top trim. On the other hand, the base trims of the 2020 Kia Forte only have a four-speaker setup instead of the Corolla’s base six speakers, and the 2020 Toyota Corolla offers built-in navigation on more trims than the Forte. Still, deciding which of these two cars has better infotainment will depend on the trim being considered and personal preferences for the user interface. But with all things considered, the Kia starts at a lower price, which can easily justify the lack of navigation on lower trims.
Technology Equals Safety
When it comes to advanced safety technology, both the 2020 Kia Forte and the 2020 Toyota Corolla are ahead of many of their competitors. Both cars come with a wide range of driver assistant equipment standard on every trim, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist technologies. However, there are some differences in their packages of standard equipment, with the 2020 Toyota Corolla opting for adaptive cruise control while the 2020 Kia Forte offers driver attention warning. This makes the Corolla somewhat more convenient on the highway, while the Forte is touch safer on long trips.
While the 2020 Kia Forte can also be equipped with adaptive cruise control, it is only available as an option on the GT trim. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert are also available on both cars, but those technologies are reserved for the higher trims. All in all, the 2020 Toyota Corolla and the 2020 Kia Forte are incredibly safe vehicles with many options to make them even safer.
