2022 Mazda 3 vs. 2022 Kia Rio

The 2022 Mazda 3 is a compact vehicle with exceptional style, a well fitted interior, and the option of a manual transmission and all-wheel drive. How does it compare to the 2022 Kia Rio, a vehicle which is affordable with great fuel economy and an enjoyable riding experience?

Design & Style

The Kia Rio can be purchased in the form of a hatchback or sedan. It has an anodyne style with one of the lowest price tags in its class, making it attractive to college students and young adults that are just starting out in life. The cabin comes in black or gray trim and passengers will also be presented with a large and high resolution touch screen.

The Mazda 3 also comes in the form of a hatchback and sedan. It has beautiful curves in its exterior with a grille that is forward canted. Within the cabin, the seats are supportive and buyers have the option of cloth or leather upholstery which can be heated when purchasing the top trims. About twenty cubic feet has been reserved from cargo space.

Technology & Safety

The Mazda 3 has outstanding safety credentials, including a five star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick via the IIHS. Its features include a camera with surround view, parking sensors for the rear and front, headlights which are adaptive, automated high beams and cruise control. Luxuries within its cabin include keyless start, a nine inch touch display, rotary controller and sound system with eight speakers.

When it comes to safety, the Kia Rio is good, but not great. The IIHS gave it a good performance rating while the NHTSA ranked it as being acceptable but neither gave it the accolades that the Mazda 3 earned. Still, it has many of the same features, including emergency automated brakes, lane control and airbags. Perks within its cabin include an eight inch display, keyless entry and air conditioning.

Performance

The Kia Rio is equipped with an inline 4, 1.6 liter engine that can generate 120 horsepower. It has fifteen inch wheels and utilizes a torsion beam style suspension. The Mazda 3 is equipped with turbo 4, 2.5 liter engine that can generate 227 horsepower with 310 pounds of torque that enables it to blaze from zero to sixty in less than six seconds.

The Bottom Line

The Mazda 3 has a bigger touch screen, more horsepower and better acceleration times than the Rio, and this combined with the Kia's average safety credentials and lack of options makes the Mazda 3 the winner.

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!