Compare the2023 Mazda 3VS 2023 Kia Forte

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mazda 3 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Forte doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Mazda 3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Forte doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has standard Smart Brake Support that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Forte doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The Mazda 3 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Forte doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has a standard 360-Degree Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Forte 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.

Both the Mazda 3 and the Forte have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda 3 is safer than the Kia Forte:

	Mazda 3	Forte
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	89	245
Neck Injury Risk	17%	24.2%
Neck Compression	27 lbs.	50 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	153	325
Chest Compression	.4 inches	1.1 inches
Neck Injury Risk	30%	49.1%
Neck Compression	20 lbs.	99 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda 3 is safer than the Kia Forte:

	Mazda 3	Forte
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	112	153
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	238 lbs.	282 lbs.
Hip Force	239 lbs.	325 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	71 G’s	89 G’s
Hip Force	620 lbs.	735 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	10 inches	12 inches
HIC	199	367
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	527 lbs.	750 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda 3 Sedan is much safer than the Forte:

	3	Forte
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	MARGINAL
Head Injury Criterion	122	812
Head Peak Forces	no contact	104 G’s
Neck Tension	245 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	1.5 in	2.4 in
Shoulder Force	335 lbs.	759 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.65 in	2.4 in
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Pelvis Force	1004 lbs.	1762 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	156	398
Neck Tension	112 lbs.	156 lbs.
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.85 in
Shoulder Force	268 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.87 in	1.81 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	335 lbs.	982 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda 3 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Forte last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The Mazda 3’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Forte runs out after 100,000 miles.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Mazda 3’s reliability 14 points higher than the Forte.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

Engine

The Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (191 vs. 147) and 54 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 132) than the Forte’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 more horsepower (250 vs. 201) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 195) than the Forte GT’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda 3 4 cyl. is faster than the Kia Forte 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

	3	Forte
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	8.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.3 MPH	85.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Mazda 3 Sedan gets better mileage than the Forte:

			MPG
Mazda 3 Sedan
FWD	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/37 hwy
Forte
FWD	Manual	1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/31 hwy
	Auto	1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/35 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder Manual FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Forte GT Manual (26 city/36 hwy vs. 22 city/31 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 3 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Forte doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mazda 3 offers an optional system to automatically turn off the engine 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 Forte doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda 3 higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Forte (5 to 7). This means the Mazda 3 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Forte every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Mazda 3 stops much shorter than the Forte:

	Mazda 3	Forte
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Mazda 3 has larger standard tires than the Forte (205/60R16 vs. 195/65R15).

The Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Forte LX’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mazda 3 2.5 S has standard 16-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Forte LX.

Suspension and Handling

The Mazda 3 Premium Sedan handles at .86 G’s, while the Forte pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Mazda 3 Premium Sedan executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Forte (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Chassis

The Mazda 3 Sedan is 7.1 inches shorter than the Forte, making the Mazda 3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Mazda 3 Premium Hatchback is quieter than the Forte GT (74 vs. 79 dB).

Passenger Space

The Mazda 3 Sedan has .1 inches more front legroom and 1.6 inches more front hip room than the Forte.

Cargo Capacity

The Mazda 3’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Forte LX’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Mazda 3 Turbo Hatchback has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Forte doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Forte doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mazda 3 Premium/Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Forte doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Mazda 3’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Forte has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Mazda 3’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Forte’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

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

The Mazda 3’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Forte’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Mazda 3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Forte’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Mazda 3’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Forte’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Mazda 3’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Forte’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Mazda 3 Premium/Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Forte doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo 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 Forte’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Mazda 3’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Forte offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mazda 3 Turbo’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Forte doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Model Availability

The Mazda 3 comes in sedan and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Kia Forte isn’t available as a four door hatchback.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Mazda 3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Mazda 3 will cost $1110 less than the Forte over a five-year period.

The Mazda 3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Mazda 3 will retain 49.31% to 50.91% of its original price after five years, while the Forte only retains 47.73% to 47.79%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mazda 3 is less expensive to operate than the Forte because typical repairs cost less on the Mazda 3 than the Forte, including $18 less for a water pump and $40 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

The Mazda 3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	Mazda 3	Forte
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	FALSE
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	FALSE