2020 Kia Forte vs 2019 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2020 Kia Forte GT, new for the year, featured a turbocharged engine, a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a sport-tuned suspension, and active exhaust. It also had larger front brakes and 18-inch wheels with a machined finish. Styling modifications set it apart from other Fortes, and the interior boasted enhancements to solidify its sport-sedan credentials. Despite its potent capabilities, the Forte GT maintained a subtle appearance, with revised bumpers, a black lip spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets signaling its potential. Inside, the car combined complimentary surface tones and textures with soft-touch materials, red seat piping, and gloss black trim, creating a modern look. The transmission shifter felt solid, imparting a sense of quality.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 was one of the best-looking cars on the market, available as a sedan and a hatchback. The hatchback, in particular, showcased Mazda's design prowess with a clean rear quarter panel and sports-car-like taillights. Inside, the Mazda3's interior was a testament to Mazda's design excellence, featuring clean, uncluttered spaces and seamless technology integration. The driver and front passenger sat low and leaned back, enhancing the sporty feel. The 8.8-inch screen running the MazdaConnect infotainment system was seamlessly integrated into the dash, adding to the car's luxury persona. The Mazda3's interior design and materials made it feel more expensive than it was.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT was equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 195 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm. This was a significant upgrade from the 147-hp 2.0-liter engine in other Fortes. The power was delivered to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), which was well-behaved and exhibited minimal hesitation. The Forte GT also offered a 6-speed manual gearbox option, which included many GT2 package features. The car came with a sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, larger front brakes, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart. The turbocharged engine provided ample power, and the DCT's telepathic gear selection made for an enjoyable driving experience. The Forte GT handled well, with a firm, connected ride quality and responsive brakes. However, the car's nose-heavy weight bias was evident during hard driving, and the brakes showed some fade after intense use.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower. It was available with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The AWD option was only available with the automatic transmission. The SkyActiv-G engine provided responsive acceleration, athletic handling, and responsive brakes. The Mazda3 offered a composed ride in typical driving conditions and excelled in cornering without feeling overly heavy or harsh. The most efficient version was the FWD automatic sedan with the Premium package, returning 27 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined. The least efficient was the AWD hatchback, returning 24/32/27. In a week of combined city and highway driving, the test model achieved 28.2 mpg.

The 2020 Kia Forte GT featured front sport seats with cloth inserts and Sofino simulated leather bolsters, with full Sofino leatherette available in the GT2 Package or with the manual transmission. The 10-way power adjustable driver's seat provided excellent comfort and support, and the front passenger seat had a manual height adjuster. The backseat offered good comfort with proper support and air conditioning vents. The Forte GT's Smart Trunk technology allowed for hands-free trunk access, revealing a spacious 15.3 cubic-foot cargo area. Interior storage was generous, with a wireless smartphone charging pad, door panel storage, and a large glovebox.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The hatchback's cargo space was serviceable for the class, but the Kia Soul offered more. The Mazda3's low, lean-back seating position was reminiscent of a sports car, benefiting front-seat passengers but making rear-seat accommodations tight, especially for taller individuals. The center console had a deep tray and a center bin, but the armrest/console cover design was less user-friendly.

The 2020 Kia Forte featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a reversing camera. The EX and GT trims included SiriusXM satellite radio and connected services through Kia's Your Voice (UVO) technology. The GT2 Package added an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, which performed well but struggled with ambient noise.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 had an 8.8-inch screen running the MazdaConnect infotainment system, with crisp graphics and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system was entirely remote-controlled, which could be less intuitive for some users. The test model included a head-up display and a fully digital instrument panel, enhancing the car's luxury feel.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The GT with the GT2 Package included all available safety features. The UVO eServices technology provided 911 Connect and other safety-related alerts.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3's base hatchback trim came standard with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and driver-attention alerts. However, these features were not standard on the base sedan trim. The hatchback's large C-pillars created significant blind spots, and the auto-engage system for the parking brake was not intuitive.