Mazda CX-3 vs. Volvo XC40
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda CX-3 and Volvo XC40 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 Mazda CX-3 and the Volvo XC40.
When we compare the Mazda CX-3's and the Volvo XC40's specifications and ratings, 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. The Volvo XC40 has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mazda CX-3's and the Volvo XC40's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-3 is a better car than the Volvo XC40.
Pricing: A used 2021 Mazda CX-3 ranges from $14,987 to $22,008 while a used 2021 Volvo XC40 is priced between $18,684 to $33,923.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mazda CX-3 loses 38.1 percent of its value and the Volvo XC40 loses 48.3 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-3 retains 10.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volvo XC40.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda CX-3’s base engine makes 148 horsepower, and the Volvo XC40 base engine makes 187 horsepower. The CX-3 is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 432 miles. The XC40 is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 454 miles.This gives the Mazda CX-3 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Volvo XC40 the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/subcompact SUVs, the Volvo XC40 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, both the Mazda CX-3 and the Volvo XC40 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
20790
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
22058
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
18750 - 29100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
33700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
34220
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
23200 - 43300
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
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
26266
Price Range:
18684 - 33923
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
25140
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
17888 - 29298
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
159
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
57838
# Good or Great Deals:
61
Mazda CX-3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Volvo XC40 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
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:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volvo XC40
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
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:
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
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.051525136992875
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
2.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
0.9 - 5.3
Mazda 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 / 67Volvo XC40 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
2 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
6 out of / 12Ranking
7 out of / 12Ranking
8 out of / 64Ranking
8 out of / 12Ranking
14 out of / 68Ranking
18 out of / 68Ranking
37 out of / 68Ranking
38 out of / 68Ranking
42 out of / 68Ranking
44 out of / 68Ranking
52 out of / 68Ranking
54 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda CX-3 Trim Levels
Sport
Volvo XC40 Trim Levels
T4 Inscription, T4 Momentum, T4 R-Design, T5 Inscription, T5 Momentum, T5 R-Design
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
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
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:
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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque:
221 foot-lbs @ 1400 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):
29 / 34 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
368 / 432 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):
23 / 32 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
327 / 454 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Cargo Space:
20.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
57.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
118.7 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3627 lbs
Width:
80.1 inches
Height:
65.3 inches
Length:
174.2 inches
Wheelbase:
106.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/55R18
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
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Stone / Onyx Black Metallic
Blue
Denim Blue Metallic
Gray
Thunder Grey Metallic
Red
Fusion Red Metallic
White
Crystal White Metallic
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
White
Blonde
