Kia K4 vs Mazda 3: Compact Sedan Clash

Mazda 3 is currently one of the only fun family sedans you can buy brand new. The Kia K4 falls in the same category, but is it all aesthetics or something good enough to challenge the Mazda 3? Let’s find out in this Kia K4 vs Mazda 3 compact sedan comparison as we compare these cars’ performance, interiors, safety, and driver assistance technology.

But before we do that, let’s learn a thing or two about Kia and Mazda.

Kia

Kia began in 1944 as a bicycle parts firm in South Korea. Today, the company sells cars praised for design, reliability, and generous warranties. Models like the Seltos, Carnival, and electric EV6 expand its global reputation.

Kia invests heavily in research centers across Korea, Europe, and the United States. The brand embraces bold styling under the Opposites United philosophy, blending contrasting shapes and colors. Safety remains central with driver assist suites standard on most new vehicles.

Motorsport entries such as rally racing validate engineering while inspiring owner communities. Kia pursues carbon neutrality through hydrogen research, green steel, and recyclable materials.

Mazda

Mazda started in Hiroshima in 1920, producing distinctive cork before evolving into vehicle manufacturing. Its first passenger car, the R-360 Coupe, launched in 1960. Innovative rotary engines soon arrived, culminating in a Le Mans win and global fascination.

Mazda’s Skyactiv technology yields efficiency and lively response from conventional gasoline and diesel powertrains. Their Kodo design language crafts cars that appear in motion while standing still, emphasizing sculpted surfaces.

Drivers praise steering and balanced handling in models like CX 5 and Mazda 3. Future strategy blends plug-in hybrids, battery electrics, and biofuel research to reach carbon neutrality goals.

Kia K4 vs Mazda 3: Editor’s Opinion

The Kia K4 looks like a typical Kia: futuristic and a bit confusing. Nonetheless, the focus of the Kia K4 was affordability and practicality. If you’re looking to upgrade from a Honda City, the K4 is a solid choice. If you’re looking for a comfortable car that’s exciting to drive and more affordable than a German sedan, consider the Mazda 3.

It’s not only a fun, practical family sedan, but it’s also fast. Talking about the prices, the Kia K4 price in the UAE starts from AED 83,170, while the Mazda 3 starting price in the UAE is approximately AED 75,000. Read this Kia K4 vs Mazda 3 till the end to find out if the price difference is justified or not.

Performance

Let’s talk about the performance figures of these cars:

Specs	Kia K4	Mazda 3
Engine	Inline-4	Inline-4
Forced Induction	Turbocharged	Turbocharged
Displacement	2000cc	2500cc
Transmission	6-AT	6-MT/6-AT
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD/AWD
Power	150 hp	250 hp
Torque	192 Nm	433 Nm
0-100 km/h	8.0 seconds	5.6 seconds
Fuel Economy	12.33 km/L	11.48 km/L
Weight	1490 kg	1538 kg

 

Despite having a bigger engine, more power, and more weight, the fuel economy difference between these cars is minimal. On the left, we have a so-called sporty sedan with a 0-100 km/h time slower than a Windows 98 boot screen. On the right, we have a sedan that’ll embarrass a Stock Dodge Charger while doing a grocery run. 

The 6-MT on the Mazda 3 is only available with FWD. Choosing the AWD gives only the 6-AT, but that’s fine since it shifts faster than the manual. It looks like the Mazda 3 is going to win this Kia K4 vs Mazda 3 comparison, but let’s dig a little deeper. 

Cabin Comfort

Now, we will talk about the cabin comfort of these family sedans:

Specs	Kia K4	Mazda 3
No. of seats	5	5
Seat Material	Artificial Leather Seats	Leather seats
Paddle Shifters	Optional	Unavailable
Climate Control	Dual-zone manual	Dual-zone automatic
Multimedia	29.9“ Panoramic Screen	8.8” infotainment display
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto	wireless	Yes
Wireless charging	Yes	Unavailable
Ambient Lighting	Ambient mood lighting	Unavailable
Sunroof	Wide-out sliding sunroof	Yes
Sound System	Harman Kardon Sound System	8-speaker Mazda Harmonic Acoustics
Seat Functions	Powered, heated, and ventilated front seats with memory functions	Heated front seats
Boot Capacity	413 liters	450 liters

 

The tables have unexpectedly turned. Turns out the Kia K4 isn’t actually that bad. The Mazda 3 is almost AED 7,000 cheaper than the K4, yet it doesn’t offer ambient lighting, wireless charging, or paddle shifters. That’s a significant turn-off for Mazda 3 buyers. Let’s see if the Mazda makes up for all the love lost in the safety and driver assistance features.

Safety and Driver Assistance 

Let’s compare the safety and driver assistance technology of these compact sedans:

Specs	Kia K4	Mazda 3
Airbags	6	6
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard	Standard
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)	Standard	Standard
Automated Emergency Braking (AEB)	Standard	Standard
Cruise Control	Adaptive Cruise Control	Adaptive Cruise Control
ISOFIX	Standard	Standard
Electronic Power Steering (EPS)	Standard	Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)	Standard	Unavailable
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)	Standard	Standard
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)	Standard	Unavailable
Hill Start Assist (HSA)	Standard	Standard
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)	Standard	Standard
Traction Control (TRC)	Standard	Standard
Heads-Up Display (HUD)	Optional	Unavailable
Lane Departure Assist	Standard	Standard
Lane Change Assist	Optional	Unavailable
360 Cameras	Optional	Unavailable
Parking Sensors	Optional	Standard

 

Once again, the Kia K4 outshines the Mazda 3 with its safety and driver assistance tech. Both cars have 6 airbags, which is adequate. The Mazda 3 doesn’t even offer 360 cameras. Imagine spending money on a vehicle that has won several international awards yet has fewer features than a Kia K4. That brings our Kia K4 vs Mazda 3 comparison to a conclusion. 

Which one of these cars is the best value for money in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more content like this.