The compact sedan market offers a plethora of choices for discerning buyers, and two standout options are the 2023 Kia Forte and Mazda 3. Both models have garnered attention for their unique design, performance, and value, making them popular choices in the segment.
In this article, we will delve into an in-depth comparison of these two vehicles, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision on which compact sedan best suits your needs and preferences.
Exterior Design:
The 2023 Kia Forte boasts a sleek and sporty exterior design that catches the eye. Its aggressive front fascia features the brand’s signature “tiger-nose” grille, surrounded by sharp LED headlights. The side profile showcases flowing lines and sculpted body panels, while the rear end is characterized by a stylish spoiler and distinctive LED taillights. Overall, the Forte presents a modern and dynamic look that appeals to a broad audience.
In contrast, the 2023 Mazda 3 offers a more elegant and mature design language. Its Kodo design philosophy is manifested in the sedan’s smooth curves and minimalist approach. The front end features a prominent grille and slim LED headlights, providing a sophisticated and upscale appearance. The rear is equally refined, with sleek taillights and a tastefully integrated spoiler. The Mazda 3’s design is undoubtedly a head-turner and stands out in the compact sedan segment.
Interior Design:
The interior of the Kia Forte is both functional and stylish. Its dashboard layout is intuitive and well-organized, with a user-friendly infotainment system and accessible controls. High-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces elevate the cabin’s overall feel, and the available ambient lighting adds a touch of luxury. The Forte’s interior is designed with comfort and convenience in mind, ensuring an enjoyable driving experience for both driver and passengers.
The Mazda 3’s interior takes a minimalist approach, focusing on the driver’s connection with the car. The layout is clean and uncluttered, featuring an 8.8-inch infotainment display and a concise set of physical controls. Premium materials and exceptional build quality create a sense of refinement and luxury in the cabin. The Mazda 3’s interior design successfully merges elegance and simplicity, providing a serene and sophisticated environment for occupants.
Seating:
The Kia Forte can comfortably accommodate up to five passengers. The seats offer ample support and cushioning, making long drives more enjoyable. Both front and rear passengers benefit from generous headroom and legroom, while optional features like heated and ventilated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat further enhance comfort.
The Mazda 3 also seats five passengers but has a more snug and driver-focused cabin. The front seats are well-bolstered and supportive, ensuring comfort during spirited drives. Rear passengers, however, may find the legroom slightly limited compared to the Forte. The Mazda 3 offers optional features such as heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat for added convenience.
Storage:
The Kia Forte offers a competitive 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space, providing ample room for luggage or groceries. The rear seats can also be folded down to accommodate larger items. Additionally, the cabin features numerous storage compartments, including a sizable glove box and well-designed door pockets.
The Mazda 3 falls a bit short in the storage department, offering 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space. While it’s still practical for daily use, the Forte edges ahead in terms of overall cargo capacity. The Mazda 3 also features 60/40 split-folding rear seats for added versatility. Cabin storage is adequate, with a glove box and door pockets for smaller items, but the Kia Forte takes the lead in this category.
Performance:
The Kia Forte offers two engine options: a 2.0-liter inline-4, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4, generating 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Both engines deliver peppy performance, with the turbocharged engine providing a more engaging driving experience. The Forte’s handling is composed and responsive, making it a fun-to-drive compact sedan.
The Mazda 3 comes with two powertrain choices as well: a 2.5-liter inline-4, producing 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4, generating 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque (with premium fuel). The Mazda 3’s performance is spirited, particularly with the turbocharged engine, which offers impressive acceleration. The sedan’s handling is agile and precise, with a sporty suspension setup that contributes to its enjoyable driving dynamics.
Fuel Efficiency:
The Kia Forte is an efficient choice, with the 2.0-liter engine delivering an EPA-estimated 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined. The more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged engine still achieves a respectable 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. These numbers make the Forte an appealing option for those seeking fuel economy.
The Mazda 3 is also fuel-efficient, though slightly less so than the Forte. The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 26 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, while the turbocharged engine returns 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. While not as frugal as the Forte, the Mazda 3’s fuel efficiency remains competitive in its class.
Safety:
The Kia Forte comes equipped with numerous standard safety features, including forward collision avoidance, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and driver attention warning. Higher trims offer additional features such as blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision warning, and smart cruise control. The Forte’s commitment to safety is evidenced by its strong performance in crash tests conducted by the IIHS and NHTSA.
Safety is a priority in the 2023 Mazda 3, as demonstrated by its suite of standard i-Activsense safety features. These include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The Mazda 3 has also received high marks in IIHS and NHTSA crash tests, making it a safe choice for drivers and passengers alike.
Trim Levels:
The Kia Forte is available in four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT. The FE and LXS trims feature the 2.0-liter engine, while the sportier GT-Line and GT trims come with the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. Each trim level offers a variety of features and options to cater to different preferences and budgets.
The Mazda 3 comes in three trim levels: 2.5 S, Select, and Premium. The 2.5 S and Select trims are powered by the 2.5-liter engine, while the Premium trim offers the choice between the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine or the more powerful turbocharged engine. Each trim level provides a range of standard and optional features, ensuring that there is a Mazda 3 variant to suit every taste and budget.
Pricing:
The Kia Forte offers an attractive pricing structure, with the base FE trim starting at around $19,000. The mid-level LXS and GT-Line trims start at approximately $20,000 and $22,000, respectively. The top-of-the-line GT trim, with its more powerful engine and additional features, begins at around $24,000. The Forte’s competitive pricing makes it an appealing option for those looking for value in the compact sedan segment.
The Mazda 3 has a slightly higher starting price compared to the Forte, with the base 2.5 S trim starting at around $21,000. The Select trim begins at approximately $23,000, while the Premium trim starts at around $27,000 for the naturally aspirated engine and $30,000 for the turbocharged variant. While the Mazda 3’s pricing is higher than the Forte’s, its premium design and features may justify the additional cost for some buyers.
Key Differences:
Interior Space:
The Kia Forte offers more interior space than the Mazda 3, particularly in terms of rear legroom and storage capacity. With 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space, the Forte has a clear advantage over the Mazda 3’s 13.2 cubic feet. This difference could be a deciding factor for those who prioritize cabin and cargo space.
Performance:
While both vehicles offer engaging driving experiences, the Mazda 3’s available turbocharged 2.5-liter engine delivers more power and torque than the Forte’s 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. This extra power provides the Mazda 3 with a more spirited performance, catering to those who prioritize driving dynamics.
Fuel Efficiency:
The Kia Forte has a slight edge in terms of fuel efficiency, with its 2.0-liter engine achieving an EPA-estimated 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined. The Mazda 3’s 2.5-liter engine delivers slightly lower numbers, with 26 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. For drivers concerned about fuel economy, the Forte may be the more attractive option.
Pricing:
The Kia Forte offers a more competitive pricing structure, with the base FE trim starting at around $19,000. The Mazda 3’s base 2.5 S trim starts at approximately $21,000. The difference in pricing may be a significant factor for budget-conscious buyers, giving the Forte an advantage in terms of overall value.
Trim Levels:
The Kia Forte is available in four trim levels (FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT), whereas the Mazda 3 comes in three trims (2.5 S, Select, and Premium). This difference provides Forte buyers with a wider range of choices and options to suit their preferences and budgets.
Final Thoughts
The Kia Forte stands out with its sporty design, spacious interior, and value-oriented pricing, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a practical and budget-friendly option. On the other hand, the Mazda 3’s elegant design, engaging driving dynamics, and premium feel cater to buyers looking for a more luxurious and refined experience.
Ultimately, the decision between the Kia Forte and Mazda 3 comes down to your individual priorities and preferences. If you value fuel efficiency, interior space, and affordability, the Kia Forte may be the ideal choice for you. Conversely, if you’re willing to invest a bit more for a sophisticated design and a more engaging driving experience, the Mazda 3 could be the perfect fit. Regardless of which vehicle you choose, you’ll be driving a car that stands out in the compact sedan segment.
Features Breakdown:
2023 Kia Forte Features:
- Exterior Design:
- Sporty and aggressive styling
- Signature “tiger-nose” grille
- Sharp LED headlights and distinctive taillights
- Interior Design:
- Functional and stylish layout
- User-friendly infotainment system
- High-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces
- Seating:
- Comfortable seating for five passengers
- Generous headroom and legroom
- Optional heated and ventilated front seats
- Storage:
- 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space
- 60/40 split-folding rear seats
- Multiple storage compartments in the cabin
- Performance:
- Two engine options: 2.0-liter inline-4 and 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4
- Composed and responsive handling
- Fuel Efficiency:
- EPA-estimated 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined (2.0-liter engine)
- EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined (1.6-liter turbocharged engine)
- Safety:
- Standard forward collision avoidance, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist
- Available blind-spot collision warning and rear cross-traffic collision warning
- High IIHS and NHTSA crash test ratings
- Trim Levels:
- Four trim levels: FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT
- Pricing:
- Base FE trim starts at around $19,000
- Top-of-the-line GT trim starts at around $24,000
2023 Mazda 3 Features:
- Exterior Design:
- Elegant and sophisticated styling
- Minimalist Kodo design philosophy
- Prominent grille and slim LED headlights
- Interior Design:
- Minimalist and driver-focused layout
- 8.8-inch infotainment display
- Premium materials and build quality
- Seating:
- Comfortable seating for five passengers
- Well-bolstered front seats
- Slightly limited rear legroom compared to the Forte
- Storage:
- 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space
- 60/40 split-folding rear seats
- Adequate cabin storage compartments
- Performance:
- Two engine options: 2.5-liter inline-4 and turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4
- Agile and precise handling
- Fuel Efficiency:
- EPA-estimated 26 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined (2.5-liter engine)
- EPA-estimated 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined (turbocharged 2.5-liter engine)
- Safety:
- Standard i-Activsense safety features, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking
- High IIHS and NHTSA crash test ratings
- Trim Levels:
- Three trim levels: 2.5 S, Select, and Premium
- Pricing:
- Base 2.5 S trim starts at around $21,000
- Premium trim with turbocharged engine starts at around $30,000
