There is perhaps no more competitive segment in the new vehicle landscape than compact cars. The range of styles, powertrains, options, and prices is truly mind-boggling.
Two brands that offer a wide array of options with their compact cars are Kia with its Forte sedan and Mazda with its Mazda3 sedan.
Let’s see how these two mighty mites compare.
2024 Kia Forte
The 2024 Kia Forte may represent the best value in the compact car arena, with pricing for its entry-level LX model starting at just under $20,000. You get a good-looking sedan with a spacious cabin and a fair bit of technology for that money.
Its National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 4-Star safety rating and a not-so-impressive 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine are less stellar. On the flip side, Kia offers potential buyers plenty of options and the opportunity to step up into more compelling and powerful versions of the Forte. In all, there are five Forte trim levels available: LX, LXS, GT-Line, GT, and GT Manual.
That last iteration gets you a 6-speed manual transmission that gives you plenty of punch for knifing through traffic or ensuring you can easily merge onto the highway. Most impressive: The highest-priced 2024 Kia Forte is only slightly pricier than the entry-level Mazda3. Pricing for the 2024 Forte starts at $19,790.
Kia Forte Highlights
Easy on the gas budget: Kia’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder isn’t exactly a racing machine, but it is thrifty. The Forte’s EPA combined average mpg is 32, among the top in the segment. The 1.6-liter turbo powerplant available in the Forte gets 26 mpg combined. The Mazda3, with nearly 50 more horsepower, comes in at an impressive 31 mpg combined.
Roomy and comfortable: Although the Forte is compact on the outside, it’s plenty big inside — bigger than its competition here. It’s also pretty well equipped with safety tech like a collision warning system, lane departure warning system, pedestrian detection system, and a raft of airbags around the passengers.
Outstanding warranty: Kia’s 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty offer you peace of mind — for up to a decade. While you may not drive the Forte for that long, it’s good to know there may still be some warranty left if this vehicle gets passed down to a younger driver in your home. Mazda’s warranty is about average for the class.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Forte models for sale near you.
2024 Mazda3
Mazda has long been known for its spirited, fuel-efficient small cars, and the 2024 Mazda3 certainly continues that legacy. Unlike with the Forte, buyers get a choice of a sedan or a hatchback, the latter of which we aren’t covering here.
With the 2024 Mazda3, you get a choice of six trim levels. The entry-level Mazda3 is the 2.5 S. It’s available only as a sedan and powered by an enjoyable 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that produces 191 horsepower. If you move up a few trim levels, an upgraded turbocharged powertrain provides up to 250 ponies. The Forte’s GT models top out at 201 horsepower.
Mazda3 Highlights
Carbon copy: Mazda has added the Carbon Turbo trim for the 2024 model year. With the 250-hp turbocharged engine in any Carbon Edition, the go matches the show, the latter now aided by new terracotta leatherette upholstery.
Best volume dial: In an era where we are getting more and more technology, it can make it tough to find switches and controls; Mazda puts the volume knob essentially next to the gear select lever. Best. Placement. Ever. Kia’s infotainment system is equally impressive and, in many instances, even more intuitive than the Mazda3’s.
Safety features: The standard i-Activsense safety suite includes automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. Optional features include blind-spot monitoring and a front adaptive lighting system, a tech Kia doesn’t offer on the Forte outside of automatic high beams.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Mazda3 models for sale near you.
Similarities
These two compact cars are alike in a few ways … they’re small, similarly fuel-efficient, and both offer upgraded versions with better performance.
Conclusion
This choice boils down to two things: money and power. While there are some minor differences between these remarkably capable compact sedans, you can get the top-of-the-line Kia Forte, powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 horsepower, for about the same price as the entry-level Mazda3.
Power and money.
| 2024 Kia Forte | 2024 Mazda3 | |
| Starting Price | $19,790 | $24,170 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder FWD/AWD |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 191 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 186 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 28 city/39 highway/32 combined mpg | 27 city/37 highway/31 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder, 6-speed manual transmission | 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 4 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 inches | 107.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 182.7 inches | 183.5 inches |
| Width | 70.9 inches | 70.7 inches |
| Height | 56.5 inches | 56.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 35.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.8 inches | 37.6 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 37.5 inches | 36.7 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.2 inches | 42.3 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 35.7 inches | 35.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.1 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.3 inches | 53.5 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 15.3 cubic feet | 13.2 cubic feet |
