2020 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2020 Kia Forte

Tug-of-war
(Key competitors face off!)

See how the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta, a solid compact sedan, compares to the 2020 Kia Forte, a favorite of many drivers over the years. From interior space and exterior design to handling and safety features, see which car best appeals to you and your lifestyle! While both offer a plethora of features that are a draw for most drivers (and are downright fun to drive), there are aspects that do set them apart. See what they have in common and how they differ.

Here’s more….

Their commonalities
Affordability begins the similarities between the Jetta and the Forte, both of which come in at a similar price point. The Forte starts at about $18,700 while the Jetta starts at about $18,900. Both are presented with a lot of trim options that will ultimately change their final price, but these are very affordable compact sedans.

Both of these models come standard with a variety of key features, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as standard and smart safety features.

A similar engine is also to be had when comparing the Jetta and the Forte. The Forte in 2020 is presented with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that gets 147-hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. It offers a fuel economy of about 27 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on highways, for a combined 31 MPG. By comparison, the Jetta has an upgraded 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that also gets 147-hp. Its standard engine, though, gets 184 lb-ft of torque, resulting in 30 MPG in the city and 40 MPG  highways, for a combined total of 34 MPG.

Both of these vehicles also fared well in safety testing and also have similar amounts of cargo space. The Jetta has 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space and the Forte, 15.3. They also both seat five poeple and will take up the same amount of garage space.

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta and the 2020 Kia Forte are both available in five trim levels. For the Forte, they are the FE, LXS, GT-Line, EX and GT trim levels. For the Jetta, they are the S, SE, R-Line, SEL and SEL Premium.

Their differences
These two models, although similar in many regards, have their shafre of differneces. The Jetta, for example, has a powertrain that is considered to result in better driving dynamics overall compared to the Forte, although the Forte has been touted for its handling. Also a digital dashboard is presented in the Jetta, which is a favorite choice among drivers. A tidy sedan with sporty good looks, the Jetta is considered athletic and fun to drive, with a balanced ride and communicative steering.

The interior is also where differences are made clear. The Jetta, considered a small sedan, boasts interior space that rivals many midsize sedans. In adidtion, the Jetta stands out when it comes to materials in its cabin while the Forte is presented with cheaper plastics inside.

Also inside, comfort is among their differences. Passengers in the back of the Forte feel slightly more cramped than those in the Jetta due to the Kia’s smaller rear head and legroom. On the alternate, the Forte does boast a bit more comfort up front and is roomier.

They also differ in the warranties they offer, with the Kia Forte giving greater peace of mind with a five year, 60,000 mile warranty, compared to four years and 50,000 miles in the Jetta. The Jetta does edge out its competitor in safety ratings, with five stars compared to four stars for the Forte.

The Jetta is a bit longer at 185.1 inches, compared to the Forte at 182.7 inches. Its wheels are also larger than the Forte, therefore resulting in better traction. In addition, the Jetta’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Forte’s.

Safety comparisons
When it comes to safety, each of these sedans are equipped with a variety of options, however, there are some differences. Standard on the Jetta, but not on the Forte, is an Automatic Post-Collision Braking systme, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash. This aids the driver in avoiding secondary collisions and helps prevent further injuries. Also in the area of safety, the Jetta’s plastic fuel tank can withstand much harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking, thus decreasing the possiblity of a fire. By comparison, the Forte has a metal tank. The Jetta also has standard Car-Net, which uses a GPS receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock doors if the driver locks his or her keys inside. This feature also sends emergency personnel if airbags are deployed. The Forte, on the other hand, does not offer a GPS response system.

Both vegihlces have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock breaks, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind-spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Special touches
There is also a difference when it comes to special, unique touches in these vehicles For example, both the Jetta and the Forte offer available heated front seats for those cold days. The Jetta goes one step further and is presented with optional heated rear seats to keep your passengers comfortable and cozy at all times. Heated rear seats are not available in the Forte. An optional heated steering wheel is also available in the Jetta, providing comfort and allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car’s heater fully kicks in. This feature does not come as an option with the Forte. Also, to help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Jetta R-Line and SEL Premium have standard cornering lights that illuminate around the corners when the turn signals are activated. The Forte does not offer cornering lights. Also in the area of lighting, the Jetta’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are illuminated from behind, providing for easy visibility and operation in the nighttime. By comparison, the Forte’s are unlit. Lastly, the Jetta’s power parking brake sets with one simple touch and releases, also with one touch, or automatically. By comparison, the Forte has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly.

When it comes to the better choice for you, take the time to compare how these two competitors measure up. Beyond their similarities in price, both have key differences and key features that may more closely mirror the lifestyle you desire. It’s a tug of war with these compact sedans, so take a test drive today and see how these key competitors face off!