2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2020 Kia Forte

The 2020 Kia Forte GT, new for that year, featured a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission (DCT), sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust, larger front brakes, and 18-inch wheels. 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. Inside, the car combined soft-touch materials, red seat piping, a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, and gloss black trim, creating a modern and quality feel.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, redesigned in 2019, won the World Car Design of the Year for 2020. Its bodywork reflected drama and sophistication, with the 4-door sedan being more conservative and the 5-door hatchback adopting a more aggressive stance. The 2.5 Turbo model, available in both body styles, included all-wheel drive (AWD) and came in standard or Premium Plus trim. The interior featured high-quality materials like Nappa leather, with the sedan offering black or white leather options. The design focused on the driver, with a clear and legible set of gauges and a well-executed layout.

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 telepathic in gear selection. The Forte GT also featured a sport-tuned suspension, active exhaust system, larger front brakes, and 18-inch wheels. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart. The car offered a firm yet connected ride quality, with immediate brake response and natural steering effort in Normal mode. The Forte GT excelled in handling, remaining glued to the pavement and conveying critical data to the driver, though it exhibited some nose-heavy weight bias and brake fade during aggressive driving.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 320 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm with 93-octane fuel. With 87-octane fuel, it produced 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's i-Activ AWD system, which improved corner-exit capability. The turbocharged powertrain added no more than 120 pounds to the car, resulting in transformative performance. The Mazda3 Turbo offered smooth, predictable, and consistent engine and transmission response, with Sport mode enhancing transmission shifts and G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC+) improving turn-in during cornering. The car featured stiffer front suspension springs and dampers, 18-inch wheels with all-season tires, and a delicately calibrated driving experience. Despite lacking a Mazdaspeed3 badge, the Mazda3 Turbo delivered thrilling performance and a delightful engine note, though it fell short of the EPA fuel economy estimate during testing.

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, while the front passenger seat also had a height adjuster. The backseat offered good comfort with proper support and air conditioning vents. The Forte GT included Smart Trunk technology, providing a hands-free system that recognized the key fob and popped the trunk, revealing a roomy 15.3 cubic-foot cargo area. Interior storage was generous, with a wireless smartphone charging pad, door panel storage, and a large glovebox.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo featured a Nappa leather-lined interior with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, but the front passenger seat lacked power adjustment and ventilation. Rear-seat passengers faced cramped accommodations without air conditioning vents or USB charging ports. In-cabin storage was adequate, though the optional wireless smartphone charging pad was located at the bottom of the center console bin, reducing storage capacity. The sedan's trunk space measured 13.2 cubic feet, while the hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 47.1 cubic feet with it folded down.

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 better than the standard 6-speaker setup but struggled with ambient noise.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. A WiFi hotspot was available, and the MyMazda smartphone app provided remote operation of the car's door locks and engine. However, the infotainment screen was not touch-sensitive, and the voice-recognition technology was subpar. The system was paired with a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, which performed well with FLAC files but struggled with satellite radio. The car also included an Active Driving Display (HUD) that remained visible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2020 Kia Forte was a Top Safety Pick according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and came with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The GT with the GT2 Package included all available ADAS, though the automatic emergency braking system worked only at lower speeds, and the adaptive cruise control did not bring the car to a full stop. The lane-keeping and lane-centering assist systems worked well but required the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel. The Forte GT also included 911 Connect, an automatic collision notification system, and programmable alerts for speed, curfew, and geographical boundaries.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the i-ActiveSense collection of ADAS, designed to support the driver and prevent collisions. The adaptive cruise control included stop-and-go capability, and the automatic high-beam LED headlights provided an Adaptive Front Lighting System. The Premium Plus trim added a high-definition surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed reverse automatic braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 excelled in crash tests, earning top five-star ratings in every assessment from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.