Compare the2023 Mazda 3VS 2023 Kia Rio

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mazda 3 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Rio doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Mazda 3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Rio doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Mazda 3 has standard Whiplash Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Rio doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has standard Smart Brake Support that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Rio doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Mazda 3 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Rio doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Mazda 3’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Rio and is only available on Rio S.

The Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has a standard 360-Degree Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Rio only offers a rear monitor.

The Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The Rio doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Rear Cross Traffic Braking on the Turbo Premium Plus automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Rio doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Mazda 3 and the Rio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda 3 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Rio last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2018.

The Mazda 3’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Rio runs out after 100,000 miles.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

The Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 71 more horsepower (191 vs. 120) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 112) than the Rio’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 130 more horsepower (250 vs. 120) and 208 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 112) than the Rio’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 3 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Rio doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mazda 3 offers an optional system to automatically turn off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Rio doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Mazda 3 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rio (13.2 vs. 11.9 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda 3 higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Rio (3). This means the Mazda 3 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Rio every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Mazda 3 AWD’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Rio:

	Mazda 3	Mazda 3 AWD	Rio
Front Rotors	11.02 inches	11.61 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	10.43 inches	10.43 inches	8” drums
Opt Rear Rotors			10.3 inches

The Mazda 3 has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Rear drums are standard on the Rio. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Mazda 3 stops shorter than the Rio:

	Mazda 3	Rio
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	131 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the Mazda 3 has larger standard tires than the Rio (205/60R16 vs. 185/65R15). The Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rio (215/45R18 vs. 185/65R15).

The Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rio’s standard 65 series tires. The Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Rio’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mazda 3 2.5 S has standard 16-inch wheels. Only 15-inch wheels are available on the Rio. The Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo has standard 18-inch wheels.

The Mazda 3’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Kia Rio only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mazda 3’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the Rio (107.3 inches vs. 101.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mazda 3 is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than on the Rio.

The Mazda 3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (60.2% to 39.8%) than the Rio’s (61.9% to 38.1%). This gives the Mazda 3 more stable handling and braking.

The Mazda 3 Sedan has 2.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Rio Sedan (92.8 vs. 89.9).

The Mazda 3 Sedan has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Rio Sedan.

The Mazda 3’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Rio LX doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Mazda 3 Turbo Hatchback has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Rio doesn’t offer a power trunk.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Mazda 3 has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Rio doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

When two different drivers share the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Rio doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mazda 3 Premium/Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Rio doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Mazda 3’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Rio has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Mazda 3’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Rio’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

On a hot day the Mazda 3’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Rio can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Mazda 3’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Rio’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Mazda 3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Rio’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Mazda 3’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Rio’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Mazda 3 Premium/Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Rio doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Rio’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Mazda 3’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Rio offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Rio.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mazda 3 Turbo’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Rio doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Rio doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Rio doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Mazda 3 and the Rio offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Rio doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Mazda 3 has a standard Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Rio doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Mazda 3 Premium’s standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Rio’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

With standard voice command, the Mazda 3 offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Rio doesn’t offer a voice control system.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda 3 offers an available wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Rio doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mazda 3 is less expensive to operate than the Rio because typical repairs cost less on the Mazda 3 than the Rio, including $35 less for a starter.

The Mazda 3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	Mazda 3	Rio
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	FALSE
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	FALSE