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Compare 2012 Kia Forte vs 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2012 Toyota Matrix

2012 Kia Forte
X
2012 Mazda MAZDA3
X
2012 Toyota Matrix
X
Select style
4-Door Sedan Automatic EX
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Forte 4-Door Sedan Automatic EX 26 36 $16,760 $17,600
Forte 4-Door Sedan Automatic LX 26 36 $15,880 $16,200
Forte 4-Door Sedan Automatic SX 23 32 $18,190 $19,100
Forte 4-Door Sedan Manual LX 25 34 $14,900 $15,200
Forte 5-Door 5-Door HB EX 26 36 $17,240 $18,100
Forte 5-Door 5-Door HB SX 23 32 $18,670 $19,600
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Automatic EX 25 34 $17,330 $18,200
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Automatic SX 23 31 $18,670 $19,600
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Manual EX 24 33 $16,380 $17,200
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Manual SX 22 32 $17,710 $18,600
Select style
4-Door Sedan Automatic i Grand Touring
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Grand Touring 28 40 $21,568 $22,550
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Sport 24 33 $16,443 $17,555
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Touring 24 33 $17,749 $18,950
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic s Grand Touring 22 29 $21,603 $23,070
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic s Touring 22 29 $20,134 $21,500
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i SV 25 33 $14,771 $15,200
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i Sport 25 33 $15,648 $16,705
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i Touring 25 33 $16,952 $18,100
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual s Grand Touring 20 28 $20,854 $22,270
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual s Touring 20 28 $19,385 $20,700
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic i Grand Touring 28 39 $22,141 $23,150
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic i Touring 28 39 $19,274 $20,150
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic s Grand Touring 22 29 $22,071 $23,570
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic s Touring 22 29 $20,600 $22,000
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual Mazdaspeed3 Touring 18 25 $22,191 $23,700
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual i Touring 27 38 $18,462 $19,300
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual s Grand Touring 20 28 $21,322 $22,770
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual s Touring 20 28 $19,852 $21,200
Select style
5-Door Wgn Automatic L FWD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Automatic L FWD 25 32 $18,603 $19,685
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Automatic S AWD 20 26 $20,086 $21,715
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Automatic S FWD 21 29 $19,199 $20,755
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Manual L FWD 26 32 $17,808 $18,845
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Manual S FWD 21 28 $18,097 $19,565
Pricing
Invoice Price
$16,760
$21,568
$18,603
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$17,600
$22,550
$19,685
Monthly Payment Estimate
$293 / month
$376 / month
$328 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
7.4
8.2
7.4
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2012 Kia Forte family of vehicles manages to feel more eager, comfortable, and sophisticated than its sticker price might suggest. With its new Skyactive powertrains, the 2012 Mazda3 is the eco-conscious choice that sure doesn't drive like one. The 2012 Toyota Matrix combines the frugality of the best-selling Corolla with a little more sportiness and versatility--but it still comes up a bit short in features.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
26 mpg 28 mpg 25 mpg
Highway
36 mpg 40 mpg 32 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Compact Cars Compact Small Station Wagon
Interior Dimensions
Passenger Capacity
5 5 5
Front Hip Room (in)
53.0 53.7 52.3
Second Leg Room (in)
35.0 36.2 36.2
Front Head Room (in)
40.0 38.9 40.5
Second Hip Room (in)
53.3 52.2 43.7
Front Shoulder Room (in)
55.7 54.9 53.3
Passenger Volume (ft³)
96.8 94.1 94.2
Second Head Room (in)
37.6 37.5 39.3
Second Shoulder Room (in)
54.7 54.0 52.6
Front Leg Room (in)
43.3 42.0 41.6
Exterior Dimensions
Track Width, Rear (in)
61.6 59.8 59.9
Wheelbase (in)
104.3 103.9 102.4
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
69.9 69.1 69.5
Track Width, Front (in)
61.3 60.4 59.8
Min Ground Clearance (in)
5.9 4.7 5.8
Length, Overall (in)
178.3 180.9 171.9
Height, Overall (in)
57.5 57.9 61.0
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
14.7 11.8 -
Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)
- - 49.4
Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)
- - 19.8
Brakes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
10.3 x - TBD - 10.4 x - TBD - 10.1 x - TBD -
Brake Type
Pwr Pwr Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.0 x - TBD - 10.9 x - TBD - 10.7 x - TBD -
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
13.7 14.5 13.2
Steering
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr rack & pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.89 2.94 3.1
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - 35.8 - TBD -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
14.2 16.2 16.2
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
33.9 34.2 36.0
Tires
Spare Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P195/65R15 P205/50VR17 P205/55R16
Rear Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA NA
Front Tire Size
P195/65R15 P205/50VR17 P205/55R16
Spare Tire Size
- TBD - T125/70D16 Compact
Front Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA - TBD - 1500
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA 1500
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA - TBD - 150
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA 225
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
2791 2950 2888
Wheels
Rear Wheel Size (in)
15 x 5.5 17 x 7.0 16 x 6.5
Front Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum Steel
Spare Wheel Material
- TBD - Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
15 x 5.5 17 x 7.0 16 x 6.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
- TBD - 16 x - TBD - Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum Steel
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
6.3 7.9 5.8
Electrical
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
110 100 - TBD -
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
550 - TBD - - TBD -
Engine
Engine Type
Gas I4 Gas I4 Gas I4
Fuel System
Electronic Fuel Injection Electronic Fuel Injection Electronic Fuel Injection
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
144 @ 4300 148 @ 4100 128 @ 4400
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Displacement
2.0L/122 2.0L/122 1.8L/110
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
156 @ 6200 155 @ 6000 132 @ 6000
Mileage
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
29 33 28
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
36 40 32
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
26 28 25
Transmission
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.38 - TBD - 2.34
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.63 2.02 1.55
Trans Order Code
NA NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
2.88 3.89 4.24
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.38 1.00 0.70
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic Automatic Automatic
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.77 0.59 NA
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.21 3.55 2.85
Clutch Size (in)
NA NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.80 1.45 1.00
Trans Type
6 6 4
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 0.70 NA
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Summary
Body Style
4 Door Sedan 4 Door Sedan 5 Door Wagon
Vehicle Name
Kia Forte Mazda Mazda3 Toyota Matrix
Suspension
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- TBD - - TBD - 0.8
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs NA
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- TBD - - TBD - 0.9
Suspension Type - Rear
Torsion Beam Multi-link Independent
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs NA
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
6.3 4.5 6.7
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
7 - -
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
--
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
--
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
--
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
--
Overall Side Crash Rating
--
Side Barrier Rating
--
Side Barrier Rating Driver
--
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
--
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
--
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
--
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
--
Rollover Rating

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