2023 Kia Forte vs 2022 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 maintained its sleek design with no significant changes, continuing to offer both sedan and hatchback body styles. It was available in various trims, including the affordable 2.0 sedan, the popular 2.5 S, and the sporty 2.5 Turbo. The 2.5 S lineup provided the most variety, with five trim levels and options for front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The hatchback version of the 2.5 S Premium was the only model offering a six-speed manual transmission. Prices ranged from $20,800 to $34,400, excluding the destination charge. The top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus hatchback, with its Polymetal Gray Metallic paint, had an MSRP of $35,810, including the destination charge.

The Mazda3's design was not universally appealing, with its deeply sculpted flanks and hatchback shape drawing mixed reactions. However, its understated elegance and mature appearance were appreciated by those seeking a more refined look. Inside, the Mazda3 featured high-quality materials and a sophisticated design, creating an upscale atmosphere. It was an attractive option for those looking for a vehicle that offered more value than entry-level luxury cars, despite lacking the perceived prestige.

The 2023 Kia Forte retained some of Kia's older design elements while incorporating newer styling cues. Its double-tab grille and angled cutouts reflected the brand's evolving design language. The GT trims added excitement with bold red accents, though they might not appeal to everyone. The Forte's overall shape was more graceful than some competitors, with a design that was typical of its class. Inside, the Forte maintained Kia's older layout, with a touchscreen atop the center dash and traditional climate controls below. While newer models had adopted a more high-tech look, the Forte's interior remained modern and user-friendly.

The Forte's interior materials were notably nicer than those of its contemporaries, with fewer hard plastics and more soft-touch surfaces. The GT models featured convincing synthetic leather upholstery, offering a more substantial feel than some competitors. The rear seats, while equipped with more hard plastic surfaces, provided ample space for passengers. Despite its age, the Forte's design had aged well and remained competitive against newer sedans in its class.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options, starting with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the base sedan, producing 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. While not particularly fast, it excelled in fuel economy, achieving 31 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 S model, favored by most buyers, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an optional all-wheel-drive system. Fuel economy for the 2.5 S ranged from 27 to 30 mpg, depending on the trim and powertrain.

The 2.5 Turbo model, with its turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular gas, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Turbo achieved 26 mpg in combined driving for the hatchback and 27 mpg for the sedan. Despite its impressive performance, the Turbo's real-world fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 23.1 mpg. The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo was praised for its smooth power delivery, nimble handling, and exceptional balance, making it a joy to drive. However, its brakes struggled on challenging roads, indicating a need for an upgrade.

The 2023 Kia Forte offered two engine choices. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. The GT trim featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The base engine accelerated the Forte to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, while the GT achieved it in 6.5 seconds. The GT also featured a sport-tuned suspension for enhanced performance.

The base model's CVT made it feel slower than it was, but it performed adequately in most driving situations. The GT's dual-clutch automatic transmission provided better power delivery, though it could be jumpy at lower speeds. The manual transmission offered maximum engagement, though it was slightly slower and less fuel-efficient. The GT's handling was sportier than expected, with precise steering and minimal drama in turns. Despite its sport-tuned suspension, the GT maintained a comfortable ride quality, though it wasn't as engaging as the Mazda3.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3's low-slung design made entry and exit challenging, with small door openings adding to the difficulty. Once inside, the front seats provided a snug yet comfortable fit, with excellent thigh and side bolster support. The driver's seat was power-adjustable, and heated front seats were standard on most trims. The interior featured high-quality materials, with padded armrests and thoughtful padding in areas where drivers might brace themselves during spirited driving.

The back seat of the Mazda3 hatchback was less accommodating, with limited legroom and comfort for taller passengers. Rear air conditioning vents and USB ports were absent. Storage space was adequate, with large door bins, a big glove compartment, and a sizable center console bin. The cargo area offered 20.1 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 47.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, with basic adjustments ensuring comfort on long drives. The dashboard layout placed controls within easy reach, allowing for intuitive operation. A rubberized phone tray kept devices secure, and higher trims offered a wireless charger. The Forte's interior featured moderately sized cup holders, door pockets, and a center armrest bin for storage.

Rear seats in the Forte accommodated average-sized adults comfortably, with ample headroom, legroom, and foot space. Higher trims included rear air conditioning vents and a USB charge port. The trunk offered 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly more than some competitors. The cargo floor's flimsy fabric covering was a minor drawback, but the space itself was notable for its height, allowing for bulkier items.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, with an 8.8-inch display integrated into the dashboard. The system relied on a collection of controls on the center console, steering wheel, and voice recognition for operation. Mazda's approach aimed to reduce driver distraction, though the lack of a physical tuning function and a cumbersome voice recognition system were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration helped mitigate these issues.

Mazda Connected Services provided remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app, including remote engine starting and a car finder function. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system available on higher trims. An Active Driving Display projected data onto the windshield, enhancing safety by displaying blind-spot warnings.

The 2023 Kia Forte came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on lower trims, while the GT-Line and above received a 10.25-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a wireless charging pad available on higher trims. The GT-Line added a navigation system and upgraded the audio system to six speakers, with an optional eight-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The Forte's infotainment system featured sharp graphics and quick responses, with intuitive menu organization and helpful shortcut buttons. While wireless phone integration issues were noted in one test vehicle, they were considered an anomaly. Overall, the Forte's tech features met expectations and were comparable to other cars in its class.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled in safety, earning top ratings in crash tests. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive front headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system.

The Mazda3's driver-assist features performed reliably, with smooth responses and minimal false alarms. The car's crash-test ratings were exemplary, with five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests, with some base forward collision mitigation features not meeting performance criteria. The IIHS awarded the Forte "Good" ratings in most evaluations, except for the updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests, which received "Poor" ratings.

Standard safety features on the Forte included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, adaptive cruise control, and pedestrian/cyclist detection.