When you’re looking for a compact, city-friendly car, options are a bit limited these days. Many drivers will understandably wonder how the 2023 Mazda3 compares to another long-running model in the class, the 2023 Kia Soul. As we’re about to see, the Kia model has its charms but ultimately falls short of the high bar set by the Mazda brand.

Performance Features

The Mazda3 comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder base engine producing 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. There are also two upgrade engines, capped off by a turbocharged unit making 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. You can even opt for i-Activ® AWD in select trims and enjoy excellent fuel economy thanks to Skyactiv® technology that balances efficiency with performance.

In contrast, every KIA Soul trim is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft of torque, and an Intelligent Variable Automatic transmission rounds out the powertrain. In horsepower, shift feel, and performance, it doesn’t quite match up to the Mazda model’s engaging driving dynamics, especially since it feels somewhat underpowered by comparison. Furthermore, it doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Technology Features

The Mazda3 infotainment system is easy to control with a rotary knob and a pair of USB inputs for devices, whereas the Kia Soul only offers a touchscreen and one USB port. You can also option the Mazda3 with a 12-speaker Bose® stereo system and SiriusXM® satellite radio, neither of which are available in the Kia car.

Safety Features

The Mazda3 comes standard with a suite of i-Activsense® safety technology. In some ways, both cars’ safety suites are evenly matched, with features like automatic emergency braking and blind spot warning. However, features like cyclist detection, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control that are standard in the Mazda model would require a trim-level upgrade in the Kia Soul.

Visit Brown and Wood Mazda

Visit Brown and Wood Mazda today and take the 2023 Mazda3 for a test drive. One of our dealers will be happy to tell you more about the new Mazda Sedan.