2013 Kia Forte vs 2013 Mazda MAZDA3

2013 Kia Forte

2013 Mazda MAZDA3

Select style

4-Door Sedan Automatic EX

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Forte 4-Door Sedan Automatic EX	26	36	$16,950	$17,800
Forte 4-Door Sedan Automatic LX	26	36	$16,080	$16,400
Forte 4-Door Sedan Automatic SX	23	32	$18,380	$19,300
Forte 4-Door Sedan Manual LX	25	34	$15,100	$15,400
Forte 5-Door 5-Door HB EX	26	36	$17,430	$18,300
Forte 5-Door 5-Door HB SX	23	32	$18,860	$19,800
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Automatic EX	25	34	$17,520	$18,400
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Automatic SX	23	31	$18,860	$19,800
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Manual EX	24	33	$16,570	$17,400
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Manual SX	22	32	$17,900	$18,800

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	$22,619	$23,650
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i SV	24	33	$17,053	$17,550
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Sport	28	40	$18,388	$19,225
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Touring	28	40	$19,466	$20,350
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic s Grand Touring	22	29	$24,052	$25,150
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i Grand Touring	27	39	$21,805	$22,800
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i SV	25	33	$16,229	$16,700
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i Sport	27	39	$17,578	$18,375
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i Touring	27	39	$18,653	$19,500
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual s Grand Touring	20	28	$23,287	$24,350
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic i Grand Touring	28	39	$23,096	$24,150
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic i Touring	28	39	$19,945	$20,850
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic s Grand Touring	22	29	$24,531	$25,650
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual Mazdaspeed3 Touring	18	25	$23,143	$24,200
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual i Grand Touring	27	38	$22,283	$23,300
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual i Touring	27	38	$19,130	$20,000
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual s Grand Touring	20	28	$23,766	$24,850

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$16,950

$22,619

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$17,800

$23,650

Monthly Payment Estimate

$297 / month

$394 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.4

Read Our Full Review

8.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

It's a family affair: the Kia Forte lineup is more comfortable, more eager, and better finished than ever, and a step up from what its sticker price might suggest.

The 2013 Mazda 3 drives with a lot more sophistication and verve than you might expect for a small car this affordable, practical, and fuel-efficient.

TCC Likes

Elegant, simple styling
Cabin space (sedan and hatch)
Standard connectivity features

Assertive handling
Great steering feel
Cockpit-like interior design

TCC Dislikes

Base model lacks telescopic steering
Balky clutch (manual)
Front-seat comfort

Base and s still have mediocre gas mileage
Road noise
Moonroof cuts out headroom

Fuel Economy

City

26 mpg

28 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

40 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in)

37.600

37.5

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.700

54.0

Front Leg Room (in)

43.300

42.0

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

53.000

53.7

Second Leg Room (in)

35.000

36.2

Front Head Room (in)

40.000

38.9

Second Hip Room (in)

53.300

52.2

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.700

54.9

Passenger Volume (ft³)

96.800

94.1

Exterior Dimensions

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.900

4.7

Length, Overall (in)

178.300

180.9

Height, Overall (in)

57.500

57.9

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.600

59.8

Wheelbase (in)

104.300

103.9

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

69.900

69.1

Track Width, Front (in)

61.300

60.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

14.700

11.8

Brakes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.3 x - TBD -

10.43 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.0 x - TBD -

10.94 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.700

14.5

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

14.200

16.2

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

33.900

34.2

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.890

2.94

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

35.8

Tires

Front Tire Size

P195/65R15

P205/50VR17

Spare Tire Size

- TBD -

T125/70D16

Front Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Spare Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Rear Tire Size

P195/65R15

P205/50VR17

Rear Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2791

2950

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

- TBD -

16 x - TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

15 x 5.5

17 x 7.0

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

- TBD -

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

15 x 5.5

17 x 7.0

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

6.300

8.7

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

550

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

110

100

Engine

Displacement

2.0L/122

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

156 @ 6200

155 @ 6000

Engine Type

Gas I4

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

144 @ 4300

148 @ 4100

Engine Order Code

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.800

1.452

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.000

0.708

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.380

3.893

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.630

2.022

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.880

3.591

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.380

1.000

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.770

0.599

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.210

3.552

Summary

Vehicle Name

Kia Forte

Mazda Mazda3

Body Style

4 Door Sedan

Sedan

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Torsion Beam

Multi-link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

N/A

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

N/A

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.3

5.5

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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