The 2024 Mazda3 and the 2024 Kia Forte are two compact cars that offer enough space for individuals or couples and are easy to drive and park. These cars are excellent first-time vehicles or for those looking to downsize. The 2024 Mazda3 is available as a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback. Meanwhile, the 2024 Forte only comes in four-door sedan form.
Let’s have a Mazda vs. Kia contest to determine which compact car is better. We’ll consider each car’s interior, safety, and performance offerings to help you decide.
The 2024 Mazda3 offers 93 cubic feet of passenger capacity for both sedan and hatchback variants, so you don't compromise by picking one body style over the other. The 2024 Forte offers slightly more space. The Mazda3 also offers 16 cubic feet of cargo space in sedan form and 20 cubic feet as a hatchback, while the Forte has 15 cubic feet. Additionally, the Mazda3 comes with split-folding rear seat backs, which are particularly useful in the hatchback as they enable carrying large and bulky objects. Both cars also include front and rear cup holders, glove boxes, and center console boxes.
While the 2024 Forte’s cabin looks youthful, the 2024 Mazda3 has more premium materials and soft-touch surfaces. This is key to Mazda’s strategy of providing a luxury ambiance in a mainstream offering. Buyers can select red or black leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver seat, and a heads-up display. Furthermore, both vehicles offer features such as dual-zone climate control and heated front seats on higher trims.
Infotainment needs are well addressed, with standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ in both compact cars. They also include Bluetooth® hands-free and audio streaming for those who don’t want full smartphone integration. Both cars offer 10.3-inch displays on higher trims. The 2024 Mazda3 even has a 12-speaker Bose sound system as an upgrade. The 2024 Forte doesn't offer a premium sound system.
The 2024 Mazda3 offers two engine choices, depending on trim selection. Lower trims get a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. On the other hand, higher trims, identified by the Turbo moniker, get a turbocharged variant of the same engine. This makes 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque when fed 93-octane premium gas. Using 87-octane regular gas drops outputs to 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
Some variants of the 2024 Mazda3 can be specified with a six-speed manual gearbox, but only in front-wheel drive form. Others, including all-wheel drive variants, get a six-speed automatic transmission. Testers have also praised the 2024 Mazda3 sedan and hatchback for their composed ride and fun-to-drive nature.
The 2024 Forte also has two engines. Lower trims get a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated unit with 147 horsepower and a CVT gearbox. Meanwhile, higher trims like the GT get a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower. This is also available with a six-speed manual gearbox. They also remarked that the 2024 Forte doesn’t offer much in the way of exciting handling.
The 2024 Mazda3 and the 2024 Forte have plenty of standard safety features. Each compact car has automatic emergency braking, a full suite of airbags, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. They also have child safety locks for their rear doors and child seat anchors in the rear seats. Higher trims add adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.
The 2024 Mazda3 is an excellent choice for a compact car. It scores more than the 2024 Forte in terms of interior and performance credentials and draws level on safety features. Buyers will appreciate the premium feel of its cabin materials, and those seeking a hatchback will prefer it, too. Then, its two punchy powertrains and enthusiastic handling will please keen drivers, while the comfortable ride will appeal, too.
To discover how you can be the owner of a 2024 Mazda3, contact us at Dennis Dillon Mazda in Boise, ID. We’ll help you pick the most suitable vehicle, test drive it, and secure financing.
