BMW X1 vs. Mazda CX-3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW X1 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 BMW X1 and the Mazda CX-3.
When comparing the BMW X1's and the Mazda CX-3's specifications and ratings, the BMW X1 has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and 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 and resale value. Based on this comparison of the BMW X1's and the Mazda CX-3's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-3 is a better car than the BMW X1.
Pricing: A used 2021 BMW X1 ranges from $19,494 to $29,463 while a used 2021 Mazda CX-3 is priced between $14,987 to $22,008.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW X1 loses 50.4 percent of its value and the Mazda CX-3 loses 38.1 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-3 retains 12.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW X1.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW X1’s base engine makes 228 horsepower, and the Mazda CX-3 base engine makes 148 horsepower. The X1 is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 531 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 BMW X1 the advantage in maximum range. The X1 uses premium unleaded, and the CX-3 uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/subcompact SUVs, the BMW X1 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 Mazda CX-3 has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Mazda CX-3 has higher safety ratings than the BMW X1, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.55 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
35400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
34220
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
23200 - 43300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
20790
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
22058
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
18750 - 29100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
24827
Price Range:
19494 - 29463
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
25140
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
17888 - 29298
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
122
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
47265
# Good or Great Deals:
49
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
18871
Price Range:
14987 - 22008
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
19173
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
16252 - 24096
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
29
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
44411
# Good or Great Deals:
7
BMW X1 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
8.5 / 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 BMW X1
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.9
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
9.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
6.7 - 9.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.058
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
5.1 - 9.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.165041463877198
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
2.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
0.9 - 5.3
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.3644645872992993
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
1.1 - 9.8
BMW X1 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 12Ranking
11 out of / 68Ranking
11 out of / 68Ranking
11 out of / 64Ranking
11 out of / 12Ranking
13 out of / 68Ranking
19 out of / 68Ranking
24 out of / 68Ranking
33 out of / 68Ranking
35 out of / 68Ranking
36 out of / 68Ranking
43 out of / 68Ranking
62 out of / 68Mazda 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
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW X1 Trim Levels
sDrive28i, xDrive28i
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):
4.55 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:
228 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 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):
24 / 33 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
386 / 531 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium 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
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
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
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.2 inches
Cargo Space:
27.1 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
58.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
128.3 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:
3567 lbs
Width:
81.1 inches
Height:
62.9 inches
Length:
175.5 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.2 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 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/50R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Misano Blue Metallic / Phytonic Blue Metallic
Gray
Mineral Grey Metallic / Storm Bay Metallic
Silver
Cashmere Silver Metallic / Glacier Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica / Eternal Blue Mica
Gray
Ceramic Metallic / Machine Gray Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Highlight
Brown
Mocha
Gray
Oyster / Oyster/Black
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
