2023 Kia Forte vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2023 Kia Forte retained a blend of older and newer design elements from Kia, with its double-tab grille and converging angled cutouts. The EX+ trim and above featured standard LED headlights and taillights, while the GT trims added LED fog lights and bold red accents for a sportier look. The side and rear design was typical for its class, but the overall shape was more graceful than some competitors. The interior maintained Kia's older layout with a centrally mounted touchscreen and traditional climate controls, offering a modern yet user-friendly experience. The interior materials were notably nicer than many rivals, with soft-touch surfaces and sturdy construction. Cloth seats were standard, with synthetic leather on GT models, providing a more substantial feel than competitors like the Toyota Corolla. Despite its age, the Forte remained competitive in its class.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 showcased a striking design with rakish headlights and a large grille, available in both sedan and hatchback styles. The hatchback was particularly daring, with a futuristic design that curved around the rear window and doors. Inside, the clean and simple cabin design featured an infotainment system that rose organically from the dash, offering a styling lesson for other manufacturers. The conventional shifter design and easy-to-use climate controls were appreciated, while the steering wheel, though cluttered with controls, maintained an elegant design. Canadian trims included GX, GS, GT, and GT Turbo, with varying 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. Higher trims added features like dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, and a moonroof, with the GT Turbo offering a more powerful engine.

The 2023 Kia Forte offered two engine choices: a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for front-wheel drive. The GT Limited trim featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The base engine accelerated to 100 km/h in about 8.8 seconds, while the GT Limited achieved it in roughly 6.5 seconds. The GT Limited also boasted a sport-tuned suspension, offering a sportier handling experience. Despite the sport-tuned suspension, the ride quality remained comfortable, though not as engaging as the Mazda3. The Forte's cabin was quiet, with some road noise, and the steering was precise but lacked feedback.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 in Canada featured a base Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. A 2.5-litre inline-four engine, producing 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, was optional on the GS and standard on the GT, with front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. The turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, optional on the GT, delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. The automatic transmission and i-Activ AWD were standard with this engine. The Mazda3's driving experience was engaging, with well-weighted steering and a responsive transmission. Sport mode enhanced the driving dynamics, with heavier steering feedback and precise handling. The Mazda3 excelled in cornering balance and agility, while maintaining a comfortable ride over bumps.

The 2023 Kia Forte's front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, with basic adjustments offering comfort on long drives. The dashboard and centre console layout placed controls within easy reach, allowing for intuitive operation. Heated front seats and keyless entry were standard on the LX, with a heated steering wheel from the EX grade. The EX+ trim included a sunroof, and dual-zone climate control was standard from the EX Premium. The rear seats offered enough room for average-sized adults, with higher trims featuring separate air conditioning vents and a USB charge port. The trunk held up to 433 litres of cargo, more than the Honda Civic and Mazda3 sedans, though the hatchback versions of those models offered more space.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan provided 374 litres of cargo space, smaller than competitors like the Honda Civic and Kia Forte. The hatchback offered 569 litres, comparable to small SUVs. 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's sliding mechanism was frustrating. The Mazda3's ergonomics were helpful, with sizable cupholders and a focus on front-seat use.

The 2023 Kia Forte came standard with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the GT-Line and GT Limited featured a 10.25-inch display with navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a wireless charging pad available from the EX grade. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with a premium eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on the GT Limited. Kia Connect services were available from the EX Premium trim. The infotainment system offered sharp graphics and quick responses, with intuitive menu organization and helpful shortcut buttons. Wireless phone integration issues were noted in one test vehicle, but this was considered an anomaly.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a centre console dial, which was a weak point. The menu navigation was clumsy, and the lack of touchscreen functionality made it difficult to use. The dial scrolling was unintuitive, and switching between radio controls was confusing. The system's 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, with available upgrades like navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose stereo system. The Bose stereo offered great sound and stylish design.

The 2023 Kia Forte received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, side, and rollover protection. Some base forward collision avoidance features did not meet performance criteria, but available upgrades did. The IIHS awarded the Forte a "Good" rating in most evaluations, except for the updated front moderate overlap and side impact tests, which received a "Poor" rating. In Canada, most driver assistance features were available from the EX trim, including forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The EX Premium added advanced forward collision assist and adaptive cruise control, with Highway Driving Assist on the GT-Line and GT Limited.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 in Canada included standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The GS added features like forward automatic emergency braking, automatic cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The GT grade included adaptive headlights, traffic-sign recognition, and a 360-degree parking camera. The traffic-sign recognition feature was helpful, and side mirrors tilted down in reverse for easier parking. The Mazda3 hatchback's massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, posing a safety risk. The infotainment system's confusing layout also presented a distraction. The IIHS rated the Mazda3 as a Top Safety Pick, and the NHTSA awarded it five stars in front crash and rollover tests.