Audi A3 vs. Mazda CX-5
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi A3 and Mazda CX-5 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-5.
When comparing the Audi A3's and the Mazda CX-5's specifications and ratings, the Audi A3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Mazda CX-5 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Audi A3's and the Mazda CX-5's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-5 is a better car than the Audi A3.
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-5 loses 42.4 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-5 retains 9.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi A3.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi A3 is 7.7 out of 10 while the Mazda CX-5's quality rating is 8.5 out of 10. This results in the Audi A3 being ranked 14 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the Mazda CX-5 being ranked 4 out of 19 Best Small SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi A3 is 7.3 out of 10. For the Mazda CX-5 the reliability rating is 8.1 out of 10. This gives the Mazda CX-5 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Audi A3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi A3’s base engine makes 201 horsepower, and the Mazda CX-5 base engine makes 187 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mazda CX-5, a crossover/compact SUV, 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 Audi A3, a compact car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Audi A3 and the Mazda CX-5 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
40100
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48679
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33400 - 78400
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
31061 - 41347
Starting MSRP:
29050
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
28836
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
24135 - 30995
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
53319
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
44192 - 62446
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
30175
Price Range:
25750 - 37887
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
32106
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
28107 - 36583
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
20783
Depreciation %:
0.518269
Resale Value $:
19317
Residual Value %:
0.481731
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.51152734
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.43209812 - 0.57076625
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
12425
Depreciation %:
0.42771385
Resale Value $:
16625
Residual Value %:
0.57228615
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
0.43208374
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
0.30791758 - 0.51647538
Audi A3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Mazda CX-5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi A3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.7
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
9.5 - 11.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.009
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
15.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
11.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.6 - 15.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.263
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.5563369845389827
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 16.1
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-5 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 56Ranking
1 out of / 18Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 18Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 19Ranking
20 out of / 56Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
41 out of / 67Ranking
46 out of / 67Ranking
54 out of / 67Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi A3 Trim Levels
quattro Premium 40 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus 40 TFSI
Mazda CX-5 Trim Levels
2.5 Carbon Turbo, 2.5 S, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium Plus, 2.5 S Select, 2.5 Turbo Premium, 2.5 Turbo Signature
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:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
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:
201 hp @ 4500 rpm
Torque:
236 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
186 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 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:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
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
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
36.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53 inches
Cargo Space:
8.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
87.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Cargo Space:
30.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
59.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
134.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3417 lbs
Width:
78.1 inches
Height:
56.2 inches
Length:
177.3 inches
Wheelbase:
103.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3679 lbs
Width:
83.3 inches
Height:
66.1 inches
Length:
180.1 inches
Wheelbase:
106.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/65R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Arrow Grey Pearl Effect / Manhattan Gray Metallic
Green
District Green Metallic
Red
Progressive Red Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
Gray
Platinum Quartz Metallic
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Rhodium White Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Parchment Beige w/ Steel Gray Stitching
Black
Black w/ Rock Gray Stitching
Brown
Santos Brown w/ Steel Gray Stitching
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
