2020 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan
When we compare the 2020 Volkswagen Golf's and the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan's specifications and ratings, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency, interior volume and overall quality score. The 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2020 Volkswagen Golf's and the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan's specifications and ratings, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf is a better car than the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan.
2020 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Pricing
A used 2020 Volkswagen Golf ranges from $17,068 to $23,999 while a used 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan is priced between $18,245 to $25,256.
2020 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf loses 40 percent of its value and the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan loses 38 percent of its value. This means the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan retains 2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2020 Volkswagen Golf.
2020 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Volkswagen Golf is 8.7 out of 10 while the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Volkswagen Golf being ranked 8 out of 26 Best Compact Cars and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan being ranked 5 out of 26. Out of 43 Best Small Cars, the Volkswagen Golf is ranked 10 and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan is ranked 7.
2020 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Volkswagen Golf is 8.2 out of 10. For the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan the reliability rating is 8.9 out of 10. This gives the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Golf.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan base engine makes 186 horsepower. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, while the Mazda3 Sedan is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon. Both have a highway range of 475 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
While both models are compact cars, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2020 Volkswagen Golf and the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
17068 - 23999
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.400111
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
18245 - 25256
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.380239
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.724282 / 10
Reliability:
8.172846 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.700839 / 10
Reliability:
8.902518 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 26Ranking
17 out of / 26Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 26Ranking
21 out of / 28Ranking
21 out of / 28Ranking
25 out of / 26Ranking
29 out of / 43Ranking
31 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Ranking
33 out of / 43Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 43Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
6 out of / 43Ranking
6 out of / 26Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
7 out of / 18Ranking
10 out of / 18Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
14 out of / 24Ranking
17 out of / 43Ranking
17 out of / 26Ranking
23 out of / 26Ranking
26 out of / 43Ranking
28 out of / 43Ranking
40 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2020 Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI
2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Trim Levels
Base, Preferred, Premium, Select
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
186 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
186 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 36 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
370 / 475 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 36 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
356 / 475 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Available
Apple Car Play:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
22.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
116.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.5 inches
Cargo Space:
13.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
92.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2873 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
167.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3071 lbs
Width:
70.7 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
183.5 inches
Wheelbase:
107.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16