2022 Kia Forte

The potential for fun is certainly there. While it's a little rough around the edges, the Forte can handle itself well. It doesn't express any considerable body roll when flinging itself around corners, and the steering remains precise, even at higher speeds. Sadly, it doesn't have any real sense of feedback, apart from the occasional mid-corner bump travel through the cabin and up the steering column. The GT models are naturally more athletically inclined thanks to a sport-tuned suspension, but the Forte is still a long way from being a genuine sports sedan.

When it comes to ride quality, the bias towards sportiness is obvious, as the ride feels stiffer than you'd expect from a family sedan. Larger bumps can easily unsettle the car, but overall noise management is good. So long as you're traveling on well-maintained roads, you shouldn't have any complaints.

While it may not be winning any awards, the Forte is a solid, high-value sedan that proves the body style can still compete with, or even best, crossovers. The base Kia Forte will cost you less than $20k, and yet it manages to pack in more value than cars twice the price. It has an extensive list of standard features, a spacious and comfortable cabin, excellent fuel economy, and high safety ratings. That's not to say it's perfect, though. The base engine is a real disappointment and often makes the car feel underpowered. This, coupled with mediocre handling, makes the sedan feel unengaging, especially when compared with rivals like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. Nevertheless, the Kia remains eminently practical and offers a class-leading warranty. Considering all this comes at such an affordable price, the Kia Forte will likely remain a top contender in the compact sedan segment, despite its shortcomings.

Kia and Hyundai are corporate cousins, so a lot of the value you can find in the Forte is present in the Elantra, too. However, the Elantra is far more stylish. Both sedans use the same tame four-cylinder as standard, and the same turbocharged four-pot is available for each. The Hyundai makes better use of the power, though, with improved handling to match its sporty aesthetic. Overall, it's the more modern and appealing car, but unlike the Kia Forte, you can't pick one up for less than $20k. For those seeking value for money, the Forte will likely hold onto its lead, but the extra grand or so for the Elantra will seem worth it for many.

The Honda Civic is the more expensive of the two sedans, and that alone will deter many potential buyers. However, looking past the price tag, the Civic is a lot more qualified for the stronger 158-hp it gets. It handles far better yet remains practical with a trunk that's almost as capacious as the Kia's. The Civic's turbocharged engine isn't quite as impressive, though, but the car overall feels more enjoyable. Despite being the sportier of the two sedans, the Honda also rides more comfortably and has more passenger space. To be fair, they are both great cars and the advantages each has over the other are not enough to win a clear lead. That said, we'd rate the Honda Civic just a little higher.