A four-door sedan is a perfect vehicle for your daily commute, getting the kids to school, and taking road trips in comfort and style. Before you select your next sedan, you may want to consider either the 2023 Kia Optima or the 2023 Kia Forte, as these are both wonderful cars with lots to offer. However, they have some differences that make them more suitable for certain drivers and their needs. Use this guide from the friendly staff at Team Kia of El Cajon to understand the differences between the two models so you can choose the one that's right for you.
Trim Levels and Dimensions
With the newest Kia Optima, you have five trim levels to choose from and a starting MSRP of $25,090. The base model is the LXS Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), and it moves up through the GT-Line FWD, GT-Line All-Wheel Drive, EX, and GT. The midsize sedan has an overall length of 193.1 inches and a height of 73.2 inches. Everyone will take notice of the sleek Hyper Silver front grille, illuminated door handles, and multi-reflector headlights.
At higher trims, you'll get LED fog lights, a gloss black rear spoiler, GT body styling, and 18- or 19-inch wheels. The GT trim level gets you a quad-tip dual exhaust.
The 2023 Kia Forte also has five trim levels, which are the LX, LXS, GT-Line, GT, and GT Manual. The starting MSRP for the Forte is $19,490. This compact sedan has an overall length of 182.7 inches and a height of 56.5 inches. The base trim sits on 15-inch wheels and features stylish elements such as body-color side mirrors, daytime running lights, and solar control glass.
If you go with a higher trim level, you can expect more style and convenience. For example, you'll get heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators and 16-inch wheels at the LXS trim level, while GT body styling and a rear spoiler come at the GT level.
Interior and Comfort
No matter which trim level of the 2023 Optima you choose, you'll enjoy a comfortable ride. The well-appointed cabin features dual-zone automatic climate control, a front center armrest, a six-way manual adjustable passenger's seat, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats with a center armrest in every model. Other comfort features depending on the trim level include heated front seats, ventilated front seats, SynTex seat trim, and LED lighting for the cabin. An optional 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with two-way lumbar support and memory settings make this sedan more comfortable than ever.
If the smaller Forte sedan is better suited to your needs and budget, you and your passengers will be just as comfortable. In the base model, you'll get woven cloth seat trim, six-way manual driver and passenger seats, and a day/night rearview mirror. For features such as 60/40-split fold rear seats, soft-touch door trim, a rear armrest with cup holders, and a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, you'll want to opt for a higher trim level.
Cargo volume for the Optima is 16 cubic feet, whereas the Forte has 15.3 cubic feet of cargo volume. In the Optima, front-seat riders will have up to 40.2 inches of headroom, while Forte front passengers get 38.8 inches. Rear seat passengers will enjoy up to 37.8 inches of headroom in the Optima compared with 37.5 inches in the Forte.
Performance and Mileage
There are two engine options for the 2023 Optima. In all but the GT, you'll find a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood. This engine is capable of delivering 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission that moves seamlessly through the gears. The GT comes equipped with a powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This block is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that makes it fun to drive through town and on the highway.
Depending on the engine setup and the trim, you'll get either 24, 25, or 27 mpg driving in the city and 32, 33, or 37 mpg when you're driving on the highway.
The 2023 Forte also has two engine options that are sure to give you the power you need. The lower three trims have a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that gets you 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to an intelligent variable transmission. In the top two trims, you'll find a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine that puts out 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. In the GT, this block pairs with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. If you choose the GT Manual, the engine uses a six-speed manual transmission.
Gas mileage varies for the Forte as well, depending on the setup you have. It can get between 22 mpg and 31 mpg in the city, while highway driving gets you between 31 mpg and 41 mpg.
Safety and Technology
All Kia vehicles have abundant safety features to give you peace of mind on the road. The Optima features forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, a driver attention warning, lane-keep assist, a rearview monitor, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist for every trim. Available safety features include a front and rear parking distance warning, surround-view monitor, and smart cruise control with stop-and-go.
Similar safety tech is found in Forte models, but it will depend on which trim you have. For the most driver-assist technologies, you'll want the GT trim. It comes standard with many of the safety features listed above, and it has navigation-based smart cruise control with stop-and-go.
If you need more information on either of these elegant and sophisticated sedans, contact us at Team Kia of El Cajon, California, so we can answer all your questions. We can also schedule your test drive or show you these cars in person. Whatever you need, we're here for you. Our friendly staff is always happy to help you find the perfect car for your needs and budget.
?
?Image by Jerin Cherian is licensed with Unsplash License
AdChoices