2022 Kia Forte vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of six trim levels, with the GT Limited being the most feature-rich and fun to drive. It came with a Steel Grey paint job, carpeted floor mats, and an MSRP of $32,084, including a destination charge. The Forte GT Limited was equipped with a new grille, headlights, and bumpers, along with fresh wheel designs for the GT-Line and GT Limited trims. The GT Limited stood out with its sporty look, featuring red-accent detailing, a gloss black lip spoiler, and larger 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Forte GT Limited had a sporty interior with a 4.2-inch driver information display, an electronic parking brake, and improved infotainment systems. The simulated leather used in the GT-Line and GT Limited was different from previous models, adding to the car's appeal.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 was available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, with the hatchback boasting a daring and futuristic design. The clean and minimalist interior featured an infotainment system that rose organically from the dash, offering a styling lesson for other manufacturers. The Mazda3 had a conventional shifter design and easy-to-use climate controls. Trim levels included the GX, GS, GT, and GT Turbo, with various transmission and drivetrain options. Standard features on the GX included 16-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, and an 8.8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GS trim added dual-zone climate control and a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, while the GT offered 18-inch alloy wheels, paddle shifters, and genuine leather upholstery. The GT Turbo trim, available in the hatchback, featured a more powerful engine.

The 2022 Kia Forte's mechanical components largely carried over from the previous year, with most trims featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The GT Limited trim, however, offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GT Limited also featured a sport-tuned suspension and larger 18-inch alloy wheels, providing a more engaging driving experience. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the Forte GT Limited had some drawbacks, such as less precise steering and underwhelming brakes during demanding driving. Additionally, the car's fuel economy did not meet official ratings, averaging 9.1 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a base Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre engine with 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. The optional 2.5-litre engine on the GS and standard on the GT produced 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, available on the GT trim, delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. The Mazda3's driving experience was enhanced by well-weighted steering and a responsive transmission, particularly in Sport mode. The car's handling was precise and refined, with excellent balance through corners and a comfortable ride. The Mazda3's brakes were reminiscent of a sports car, requiring careful modulation for smooth stops.

The 2022 Kia Forte GT Limited came with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sunroof. The car's interior was comfortable for long trips, with a height-adjustable front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents. Rear seat headroom and legroom were impressive for a compact car, and the trunk offered 433 litres of cargo space, the largest in its segment. The rear seats could be folded down to expand capacity, making the Forte a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan provided 374 litres of cargo space, while the hatchback offered 569 litres. However, the rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom due to the sloping roofline. The front seating area featured a decently sized centre console compartment, though the lid was somewhat frustrating to use. Despite these drawbacks, the Mazda3's front seats were ergonomically designed and comfortable for drivers and passengers.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered new technology features for higher trims, including a rear-seat USB port and remote engine starting capability. The EX Premium trim and lower offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity with an 8-inch touchscreen. The GT-Line and GT Limited featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with additional features, though they required a cable for smartphone connectivity. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive menu structures and physical knobs for volume and tuning. However, the voice recognition system was hit-and-miss, leading to reliance on smartphone integration for navigation and music streaming.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a dial in the centre console. The system was not a touchscreen, which made menu navigation clumsy and unintuitive. The learning curve was steep, particularly when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The Mazda3 included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. Our test model featured upgrades such as navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Kia Forte offered a range of safety features, with most trims including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist (HDA), which provided a semi-autonomous driving experience. The Forte received high marks from the IIHS for crashworthiness and driving assist systems, though the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall crash protection rating due to concerns about rear passenger injury in side impacts.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3's standard safety equipment included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The GS trim added features such as forward automatic emergency braking, automatic cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The GT grade offered adaptive headlights, traffic-sign recognition, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The Mazda3 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for front crash tests and rollover tests. However, the massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, posing a safety concern.