Compare 2013 Kia Forte vs 2013 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2013 Volkswagen Golf

2013 Kia Forte
X
2013 Mazda MAZDA3
X
2013 Volkswagen Golf
X
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
Select style
2-Door HB DSG
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
GTI 2-Door HB DSG 24 33 $24,091 $25,095
GTI 2-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn 24 33 $29,851 $31,095
GTI 2-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn PZEV 24 33 $29,851 $31,095
GTI 2-Door HB DSG PZEV 24 33 $24,091 $25,095
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof 24 33 $26,377 $27,475
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 24 33 $26,377 $27,475
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi 24 33 $27,883 $29,045
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV 24 33 $27,883 $29,045
GTI 2-Door HB Manual 21 31 $23,035 $23,995
GTI 2-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn 21 31 $28,795 $29,995
GTI 2-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn PZEV 21 31 $28,795 $29,995
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof 21 31 $25,321 $26,375
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi 21 31 $26,827 $27,945
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV 21 31 $26,827 $27,945
GTI 4-Door HB DSG 24 33 $24,667 $25,695
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn 24 33 $30,427 $31,695
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn PZEV 24 33 $30,427 $31,695
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Driver's Edition 24 33 $29,563 $30,795
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Driver's Edition PZEV 24 33 $29,563 $30,795
GTI 4-Door HB DSG PZEV 24 33 $24,667 $25,695
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Wolfsburg 24 33 $25,147 $26,195
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Wolfsburg PZEV 24 33 $25,147 $26,195
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof 24 33 $26,953 $28,075
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 24 33 $26,953 $28,075
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi 24 33 $28,459 $29,645
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV 24 33 $28,459 $29,645
GTI 4-Door HB Manual 21 31 $23,611 $24,595
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn 21 31 $29,371 $30,595
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn PZEV 21 31 $29,371 $30,595
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Driver's Edition 21 31 $28,507 $29,695
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Driver's Edition PZEV 21 31 $28,507 $29,695
GTI 4-Door HB Manual PZEV 21 31 $23,611 $24,595
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Wolfsburg 21 31 $24,091 $25,095
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Wolfsburg PZEV 21 31 $24,091 $25,095
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof 21 31 $25,897 $26,975
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 21 31 $25,897 $26,975
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi 21 31 $27,403 $28,545
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV 21 31 $27,403 $28,545
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic PZEV 24 31 $18,427 $19,195
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 24 31 $21,125 $22,005
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic w/Conv PZEV 24 31 $19,325 $20,130
Golf 2-Door HB DSG TDI 30 42 $24,322 $25,335
Golf 2-Door HB DSG TDI w/Sunroof & Nav 30 42 $25,973 $27,055
Golf 2-Door HB DSG TDI w/Tech Pkg 30 42 $27,590 $28,740
Golf 2-Door HB Manual PZEV 23 33 $17,371 $18,095
Golf 2-Door HB Manual TDI 30 42 $23,266 $24,235
Golf 2-Door HB Manual TDI w/Sunroof & Nav 30 42 $24,917 $25,955
Golf 2-Door HB Manual TDI w/Tech Pkg 30 42 $26,534 $27,640
Golf 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 23 33 $20,069 $20,905
Golf 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv PZEV 23 33 $18,268 $19,030
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic PZEV 24 31 $19,195 $19,995
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 24 31 $22,075 $22,995
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic w/Conv PZEV 24 31 $20,251 $21,095
Golf 4-Door HB DSG TDI 30 42 $25,248 $26,300
Golf 4-Door HB DSG TDI w/Sunroof & Nav 30 42 $26,875 $27,995
Golf 4-Door HB DSG TDI w/Tech Pkg 30 42 $28,537 $29,725
Golf 4-Door HB Manual TDI 30 42 $24,192 $25,200
Golf 4-Door HB Manual TDI w/Sunroof & Nav 30 42 $25,819 $26,895
Golf 4-Door HB Manual TDI w/Tech Pkg 30 42 $27,481 $28,625
Golf R 2-Door HB 19 27 $32,827 $34,195
Golf R 2-Door HB w/Sunroof & Navi 19 27 $34,478 $35,915
Golf R 4-Door HB 19 27 $33,403 $34,795
Golf R 4-Door HB w/Sunroof & Navi 19 27 $35,054 $36,515
Pricing
Invoice Price
$16,950
$22,619
$24,091
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$17,800
$23,650
$25,095
Monthly Payment Estimate
$297 / month
$394 / month
$418 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
7.4
8.2
7.8
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. The 2013 Volkswagen Golf masterfully balances frisky performance, fuel-efficiency, and refinement in its GTI and even TDI editions, but as such it's priced as a premium model.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
26 mpg 28 mpg 24 mpg
Highway
36 mpg 40 mpg 33 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Compact Cars Compact Compact Cars
Interior Dimensions
Second Head Room (in)
37.600 37.5 38.5
Second Shoulder Room (in)
54.700 54.0 53.1
Front Leg Room (in)
43.300 42.0 41.2
Passenger Capacity
5 5 5
Front Hip Room (in)
53.000 53.7 - TBD -
Second Leg Room (in)
35.000 36.2 35.5
Front Head Room (in)
40.000 38.9 39.3
Second Hip Room (in)
53.300 52.2 - TBD -
Front Shoulder Room (in)
55.700 54.9 54.6
Passenger Volume (ft³)
96.800 94.1 93.5
Exterior Dimensions
Height, Overall (in)
57.500 57.9 57.8
Track Width, Rear (in)
61.600 59.8 59.7
Wheelbase (in)
104.300 103.9 101.5
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
69.900 69.1 70.0
Track Width, Front (in)
61.300 60.4 60.4
Min Ground Clearance (in)
5.900 4.7 5.0
Length, Overall (in)
178.300 180.9 165.8
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
14.700 11.8 -
Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)
- - 15.3
Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)
- - - TBD -
Brakes
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
10.3 x - TBD - 10.43 x - TBD - 11.3 x 0.5
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 - 10.94 x - TBD - 12.3 x 1.0
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
13.700 14.5 14.5
Steering
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
33.900 34.2 35.8
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.890 2.94 3.0
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - 35.8 - TBD -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
14.200 16.2 15.6
Tires
Spare Tire Size
- TBD - T125/70D16 Compact
Front Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P195/65R15 P205/50VR17 225/40R18
Rear Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA NA
Front Tire Size
P195/65R15 P205/50VR17 225/40R18
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA - TBD - NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA - TBD - NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
2791 2950 3080
Wheels
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
15 x 5.5 17 x 7.0 18 x - TBD -
Front Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
- TBD - Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
15 x 5.5 17 x 7.0 18 x - TBD -
Spare Wheel Size (in)
- TBD - 16 x - TBD - Compact
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
6.300 8.7 8.4
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
550 - TBD - - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
110 100 120
Engine
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
156 @ 6200 155 @ 6000 200 @ 5100-6000
Engine Type
Gas I4 Gas I4 Turbocharged Gas I4
Fuel System
Electronic Fuel Injection Electronic Fuel Injection Direct Injection
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
144 @ 4300 148 @ 4100 207 @ 1800-5000
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Displacement
2.0L/122 2.0L/122 2.0L/121
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
26 28 24
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
29 33 27
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
36 40 33
Transmission
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.000 0.708 1.09
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.380 3.893 3.98
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.630 2.022 2.15
Trans Order Code
NA NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
2.880 3.591 4.06/3.14
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.380 1.000 1.08
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic Automatic Automatic w/manual shift
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.770 0.599 0.92
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.210 3.552 3.46
Clutch Size (in)
NA NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.800 1.452 1.46
Trans Type
6 6 6
Summary
Body Style
4 Door Sedan Sedan 2 Door Hatchback
Vehicle Name
Kia Forte Mazda Mazda3 Volkswagen GTI
Suspension
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Rear
Torsion Beam Multi-link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs NA
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - N/A - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs NA
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - N/A - TBD -
Emissions
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
8 - - TBD -
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
6.3 5.5 6.8
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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