2022 Mazda 3 vs. 2022 Kia Forte

Is the 2022 Mazda 3 or the 2022 Kia Forte better for your needs? When making a decision between the two, you will need to consider factors including design and style, technology and safety as well as performance. Which is truly superior? We compare and contrast them on three different aspects in this guide.

Design & Style

Featuring soft curves along the side on its exterior, the Mazda 3 cuts quite a figure when out on the road. On the interior, it features heated seats, a generously sized legroom and sufficient reach in the steering column for optimal comfort. Cargo space is large enough to accommodate six carry-on suitcases and with everything well-constructed and logically clustered, it is easy to see why this model is turning eyes everywhere. 

With alloy wheels and LED exterior lighting, the Kia Forte can be quite a fetching sight on the exterior. On the interior, a minimalistic design with a backseat big enough to accommodate two adults is what you can expect. Ventilated and heated seats contribute to your comfort but points are docked as the base models only offer the most basic amenities.

Technology & Safety

In terms of infotainment, the Mazda 3 features an 8.8 inch infotainment system controlled by a clickwheel on the console alongside a Bose 12-speaker system. Safety features include both driver-assisted ones such as rear vehicle monitoring, blind spot monitoring and emergency signal system. This is alongside air bags for the front side, front head, rear head, driver and passenger and many more.

Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are enabled in the Kia Forte as well as a smart phone charging pad. In terms of safety, driver-assisted features include standard lane departure warnings and standard forward collision warnings.

Performance

The Mazda 3 delivers up to an impressive 320 lb-ft of torque and 250 horsepower. It makes use of the i-Active AWD, which calculates how weight shifts from each individual tire to allow the vehicle to send torque to those the tires that can generate the most grip.

With the Kia Forte, you have two engine options: a 2.0 four-cylinder with 147 horsepower or a 1.6 liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 201 horespower. However, when compared with the Mazda 3, it took considerably longer to get the Kia Forte from 0 to 80 mph. In terms of engine performance, we have a clear winner in the Mazda 3.

The Bottom Line

After going through this thorough comparison, which one will it be? The Mazda 3 or the Kia Forte? We think it's a no brainer: the Mazda 3 will offer you much more in terms of performance, style and technology.

Ready to Schedule a 2022 Mazda 3 Test Drive Today?

Do you want to discover more about this Mazda car model can do on the road? Come and visit us at Riley Mazda today! Our dedicated team of customer service representatives will assist you in meeting all your car purchasing, financing, and servicing needs. Call us today and book an appointment for your 2022 Mazda 3 test drive now!