Audi A3 vs. Mazda CX-3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi A3 and Mazda CX-3 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Audi A3 and the Mazda CX-3.
When we compare the Audi A3's and the Mazda CX-3's specifications and ratings, the Audi A3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Mazda CX-3 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Audi A3's and the Mazda CX-3's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-3 is a better car than the Audi A3.
Pricing: A used 2020 Audi A3 ranges from $17,000 to $27,990 while a used 2020 Mazda CX-3 is priced between $14,998 to $21,908.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi A3 loses 51.6 percent of its value and the Mazda CX-3 loses 38.1 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-3 retains 13.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi A3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi A3’s base engine makes 184 horsepower, and the Mazda CX-3 base engine makes 148 horsepower. The A3 is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 475 miles. The CX-3 is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 432 miles.This gives the Mazda CX-3 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Audi A3 the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mazda CX-3, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space. The Audi A3, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Audi A3 and the Mazda CX-3 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
33300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
41892
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
25900 - 53950
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
20640
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
21787
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
17350 - 28400
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
22175
Price Range:
17000 - 27990
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
28861
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
21549 - 40914
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
83
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
51632
# Good or Great Deals:
33
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
18589
Price Range:
14998 - 21908
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
17939
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
14944 - 21413
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
20
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
64338
# Good or Great Deals:
8
Audi A3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Mazda CX-3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi A3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
4.5 - 15.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.009
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
6.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
5.1 - 8.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.5396283095135503
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.9 - 31.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.1031332054184295
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
0.9 - 11.1
Audi A3 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 32Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
14 out of / 36Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
22 out of / 36Ranking
32 out of / 36Ranking
32 out of / 36Ranking
35 out of / 36Mazda CX-3 Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 21Ranking
17 out of / 21Ranking
19 out of / 21Ranking
20 out of / 21Ranking
37 out of / 67Ranking
59 out of / 67Ranking
61 out of / 67Ranking
62 out of / 67Ranking
63 out of / 67Ranking
63 out of / 67Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi A3 Trim Levels
Premium 40 TFSI, Premium Plus 40 TFSI, quattro S line Prem Plus 45 TFSI, quattro S line Premium 45 TFSI
Mazda CX-3 Trim Levels
Sport
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
184 hp @ 4400 rpm
Torque:
221 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.058 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
148 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
146 foot-lbs @ 2800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 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
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 34 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
368 / 432 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
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 Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
36.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53 inches
Cargo Space:
12.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
86.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
50.4 inches
Cargo Space:
17.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
42.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
105.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3197 lbs
Width:
77.2 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
175.5 inches
Wheelbase:
103.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2851 lbs
Width:
69.6 inches
Height:
60.7 inches
Length:
168.3 inches
Wheelbase:
101.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Cosmos Blue Metallic
Gray
Monsoon Gray Metallic / Nano Gray Metallic / Quantum Gray
Red
Tango Red Metallic
Silver
Florett Silver Metallic
White
Glacier White Metallic / Ibis White
Brown
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica / Eternal Blue Mica
Gray
Ceramic Metallic / Machine Gray Metallic
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Brown
Titanium Flash Mica
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Rock Gray Stitching
Brown
Chestnut Brown
Gray
Rock Gray/Gray
Red
Magma Red w/ Anthracite Stitching
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
