2023 Kia Forte vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2023 Kia Forte, a compact sedan, retained its 2019 redesign with a mix of older and newer styling elements. Its double-tab grille was a long-standing Kia identifier, while the converging angled cutouts hinted at the brand's latest design language. The GT trims added bold red accents, which might not have appealed to everyone. From the side and rear, the Forte's design was typical for its class, yet its overall shape was more graceful than some competitors. Inside, the Forte held onto Kia's older layout, featuring a touchscreen atop the dash with traditional climate knobs below. While newer models adopted a more high-tech look, the Forte's modern appearance and user-friendly controls made it easy to acclimate to the infotainment system. The interior materials were notably nicer than those of its contemporaries, with less hard plastic and more soft-touch surfaces. The GT models featured convincing synthetic leather upholstery, and despite the rear seats having more hard plastic, the Forte aged well and remained competitive.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 showcased rakish headlights framing a large, menacing grille, available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. While the sedan's proportions were conventional, the hatchback boasted a daring and futuristic design. The clean, futuristic theme continued into the cabin, where the infotainment system rose organically from the dash, offering a styling lesson for other carmakers. The Mazda3's conventional shifter design was a welcome choice, and despite the clean cabin design, the climate controls were surprisingly conventional and easy to use. The steering wheel had an elegant design, albeit cluttered with controls. The Mazda3 offered various trim levels, each adding features like alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, and leather upholstery. The top trim, 2.5 Turbo AWD Premium Plus, included advanced features like reverse automatic emergency braking and surround-view parking monitoring, making it a well-rounded choice for those seeking a blend of style and technology.

The 2023 Kia Forte offered two engine choices. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. The GT trim upgraded to a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, available with either 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's turbocharged engine and sport-tuned suspension offered a more exciting performance. The CVT in the base model made it feel slower, but it was adequate for most drivers. The GT's dual-clutch automatic transmission kept power on tap, though it could be jumpy at lower speeds. The manual transmission offered maximum engagement, despite being slightly slower and less fuel-efficient. The GT's handling was sportier than expected, with precise steering and a comfortable ride quality, though not as entertaining as the Mazda3.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3's base engine was a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four, producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive (AWD). A manual transmission was available on front-wheel drive (FWD) Premium models. The optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel, with automatic transmission and AWD as standard. The turbo engine emitted a fantastic sound, engaging drivers from the start. The Mazda3's well-weighted steering provided excellent feedback, and the transmission's Sport mode enhanced the driving experience. The turbocharged engine offered moderate off-the-line acceleration, shining in second gear. The Mazda3's handling was its calling card, with fantastic balance and agility, soaking up road bumps with ease. The tap-shift function mirrored race-car sequential shifters, showcasing Mazda's performance driving focus.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, with basic adjustments offering comfort on long drives. The dashboard and center console layout placed controls within easy reach, allowing for operation without distraction. A rubberized phone tray below the climate controls kept devices secure, with a wireless charger available in higher trims. The rear seats comfortably accommodated average-sized adults, with ample headroom, legroom, and foot space. Higher trims featured separate air conditioning vents and a USB charge port. The trunk offered 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Honda Civic and Mazda3 sedans, though the hatchback versions of those models offered more. The cargo floor's flimsy fabric covering was a minor drawback, but the space's height allowed for bulkier items, with remote seatback releases for added convenience.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, smaller than competitors like the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, or Nissan Sentra. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet, usable but not as spacious as many small SUVs. The rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom due to the sloping roofline. The front seating area featured a decently sized center console compartment, though the lid's sliding mechanism was frustrating. The Mazda3's ergonomics were helpful, with sizable cupholders enhancing convenience.

The 2023 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the GT-Line and above received a 10.25-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with a wireless charging pad available in 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 infotainment system featured sharp graphics, quick responses, and intuitive menu organization, with helpful shortcut buttons. Despite a wireless phone integration issue in the test vehicle, the Forte's tech features met expectations and were comparable to other cars in the class.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display that rose from the dash, operated via a center console dial. This system was a weak point, with clumsy menu navigation and a steep learning curve. The dial scrolling was unintuitive, and switching between radio controls was confusing. The system's integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was problematic, with the Home button leading to the programs' home screens instead of exiting them. The Mazda3 included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control, with available upgrades like navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system. The Bose stereo offered great sound and aesthetic appeal with brushed aluminum speaker covers.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall, frontal, side, and rollover protection. Some base forward collision mitigation features did not meet the Administration's performance criteria, but available upgrades did. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Forte its highest score of "Good" in most evaluations, except for the updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests, which received "Poor" ratings. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. The LXS trim offered optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning, while the GT-Line made adaptive cruise control and pedestrian/cyclist detection available. The top GT trims included these features as standard, along with rear parking proximity sensors.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came standard with numerous safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, automatic cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive headlights, lane-departure warning, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Select trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Turbo Premium Plus included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The traffic-sign recognition feature was helpful, displaying stop signs in the head-up display. The test model's side mirrors tilted down in reverse, aiding in avoiding curbs during parallel parking. However, the Mazda3 hatchback's massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, posing a safety risk. The infotainment system's confusing layout also presented a distraction and safety issue, requiring drivers to take their eyes off the road.