2022 Honda Civic vs. 2022 Kia Forte

Trying to figure out which car to buy, Kia’s latest Forte or the all-new 2022 Civic? It’s not a secret that most small sedans, like the Forte and Civic, have a lot in common. They’re pretty good on gas, affordable, can seat 4 comfortably (5 with some magic), and make morning commutes a little more enjoyable than their compact ancestors of yesteryear.

That can make your decision difficult. But when it comes down to brass tacks, the segment's only got one king of the jungle, and its name is “Civic.”

Better Performance

Half of all Civic owners buy Honda’s flagship small sedan for its performance, and the 2022 model really nails it in the horsepower department. Standard in every Civic LX and Sport is a 2.0 inline-4 engine that makes 159 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. It’s noticeably superior, both on paper and in practice, to the 2022 Kia Forte and its 147-hp 2.0 inline-4 (132 lb-ft of torque). 

“...Forte offers middling acceleration from a standard 147-hp four-cylinder and a chassis that's tuned more for comfort than for sporty driving.” - Car and Driver

The previous Civic’s spry handling and responsive steering are very much present in the 2022 model, ultimately delivering a sporty, fine-tuned experience for anyone seated inside. Larger standard wheels (16” vs 15”) and tires give the Civic an edge over the Forte, as well.

Better Interior

The feature-rich 2022 Civic is one of the most comfortable and accommodating cars in the segment, period.

Let’s start with a discussion about dashboards. Sure, they all serve one purpose: To offer safety and all the tech—touchscreens, instrument cluster, air vents, you know the drill—you need to get through a trip in one piece. Civic’s all-new dashboard changes the game, putting a spin on tradition. Instead of the bland, hard-touch plastic, Honda chose to install a honeycomb mesh from right to left. It’s a simple yet sophisticated touch of genius that adds to Civic’s overall aesthetic. Forte is just blah.

Civic Sport and EX trims come fully equipped with a 180-watt 8-speaker sound system, while the range-topping Civic Touring gets the royal treatment: a Bose Premium 12-speaker sound system and subwoofer. Kia Fortes only offer an 8-speaker system starting with the GT-Line.

In the back row, Civic passengers also get royal treatment thanks to 37.4 and 56 inches of rear legroom and shoulder room, respectively. Those are better dimensions than Forte’s back seat (35.7” and 55.3”). Total passenger volume is another “Civic vs Forte” win for Honda’s small sedan; Civic offers 99 cubes in the cabin, while Forte lags behind at 96 cubes.

Better Fuel Economy

Looking at both base trims—Civic LX and Forte FE—you'd be hard-pressed to notice a discernable difference in fuel economy, as both return 35 MPG combined. However, when you move up each model’s lineup, the differences are clear.

The comparably equipped 2022 Civic EX is the undisputed fuel-efficient victor in this “Civic vs. Forte” bout. Returning 33 city/42 highway, the EX is a far better car on gas than the Forte. With the 2022 Kia Forte GT, which has a beefier, heavier engine, you only get 27 city/35 highway, which is only average for the compact sedan class. 

Better Protection

Standard on every Civic is Honda Sensing, the brand’s safety and driver-assistive system. Unlike the Kia Forte, Civic’s safety suite includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, which allows drivers to avoid shin splints when highway coasting or navigating rush hour traffic. Buyers would have to upgrade to the mid-trim Forte GT-Line to get a comparable system (Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control).

Across the board, Honda has improved upon Civic’s protective qualities for the 2022 model year. The result is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ sticker, which is the most coveted IIHS award. The addition of a newly patented airbag system helped Civic earn this prestige. Last year’s Forte only received a TSP. 

Buy or Lease a Civic at Roper Honda

It’s time to bite the bullet and choose the right choice. If you live in or around Joplin, give us a poke, and we’ll help you get behind the wheel of the best new car money can buy: A Civic.

Check out our latest Honda lease offers and Civic vehicles for sale today, and be sure to give our Roper Honda salespeople a call at (417) 625-0800 to request a quote. Our Joplin Honda dealership is located at 902 N Rangeline Rd and proudly serves shoppers in Neosho, Springfield, Miami (OK), Pittsburg (KS), and Rogers (AR).