Compare the2023 Kia SportageVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Sportage are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Sportage Prestige has standard Parking Collision Avoidance-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The CX-3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Sportage Prestige has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The CX-3 only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Sportage’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Sportage and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

The Sportage comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-3’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-3 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 39 percent more Kia dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sportage’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Sportage has a standard 150-amp alternator. The CX-3’s 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 12th.

Engine

The Sportage’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 39 more horsepower (187 vs. 148) and 32 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 146) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Sportage’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Sportage has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Sportage has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 12.7 gallons).

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Kia Sportage, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-3.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Sportage’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-3:

	Sportage	CX-3	CX-3 AWD
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	11.1 inches	11.1 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sportage has larger tires than the CX-3 (235/65R17 vs. 215/60R16).

The Sportage SX Prestige/X-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-3’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sportage LX/X-Pro has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the CX-3. The Sportage SX Prestige/X-Line has standard 19-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Kia Sportage has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Sportage has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Sportage has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Sportage flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the CX-3 (108.5 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage is 3.7 inches wider in the front and 4.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-3.

For greater off-road capability the Sportage has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-3 (8.3 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Sportage to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Sportage uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Sportage has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front hip room, 4.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, 6.3 inches more rear legroom, 4.4 inches more rear hip room and 5.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage’s rear seats recline. The CX-3’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 17.8 cubic feet). The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-3 with its rear seat folded (74.1 vs. 42.7 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sportage’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Sportage’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Sportage has a 2500 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-3 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Sportage offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Sportage SX/Prestige/X-Pro, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Sportage SX/Prestige/X-Pro’s standard Easy Access Function glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Sportage and the CX-3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sportage is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Sportage EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line/X-Pro’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The CX-3’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Sportage’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-3 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Smart Key standard on the Sportage EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line/X-Pro allows you to unlock the driver’s door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mazda CX-3’s Pushbutton Start doesn’t unlock the doors or the cargo door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Sportage (except LX/EX/X-Line) to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Sportage’s optional outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

When the Sportage SX/Prestige/X-Pro is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The CX-3’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Sportage offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the CX-3.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sportage Prestige keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CX-3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Sportage’s optional (except LX/X-Line) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Sportage EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line/X-Pro’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The CX-3 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Sportage and the CX-3 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Sportage has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-3 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Sportage EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line/X-Pro has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The CX-3 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

The Kia Sportage outsold the Mazda CX-3 by almost 16 to one during the 2021 model year.