My guess is you're looking for an everyday car with all-round capable character. Yes I used to own Vios TRD Sportivo before this. Vios shouldn't be in this comparison except for its well-known low fuel consumption. To me engine noise in a Vios sucks to the max even at 120kmph with unpleasant sore throat sound at any revolutions. On the other hand, Forte's engine is totally silent if not very very minor humming sound when you turn off the A/C and radio at 120kmph.

Steering feel wise, to be frank, Forte's steering feels abit vague on the straightline as you need to constantly adjust the steering abit in order to drive it really straight on highway (even when I've done the wheels alignment done correctly). Stability is still spot on with no body roll and wallowing about, nearly no vibrations and roughness booming around the cabin at 160kmph.

While Forte on high revs acceleration(4,500rpm onwards till redline), it will sound kinda screamy and trashy which could kill any conversations happening inside the cabin.. the car feels fairly quiet like Camry (pardon for my exaggerated comparison) when driven smoothly..

Just noise. Irritating noise  Best part is when I send it to SC to trace the source of the noise, the problem disappears.. Aihh...