Volkswagen Golf vs. Mazda CX-3
In comparing the Volkswagen Golf's and the Mazda CX-3's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, interior volume and overall quality score. The Mazda CX-3 has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Golf's and the Mazda CX-3's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf is a better car than the Mazda CX-3.
Volkswagen Golf vs. Mazda CX-3 Pricing
A used 2021 Volkswagen Golf ranges from $17,231 to $24,998 while a used 2021 Mazda CX-3 is priced between $19,110 to $24,988.
Volkswagen Golf vs. Mazda CX-3 Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Volkswagen Golf loses 40 percent of its value and the Mazda CX-3 loses 35.6 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-3 retains 4.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Golf.
Volkswagen Golf vs. Mazda CX-3 Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Volkswagen Golf is 8.7 out of 10 while the Mazda CX-3's quality rating is 8.2 out of 10. This results in the Volkswagen Golf being ranked 4 out of 28 Best Hatchbacks and the Mazda CX-3 being ranked 2 out of 20 Best Subcompact SUVs.
Volkswagen Golf vs. Mazda CX-3 Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Volkswagen Golf is 8.2 out of 10. For the Mazda CX-3 the reliability rating is 6.1 out of 10. This gives the Volkswagen Golf an advantage in reliability compared to the Mazda CX-3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Volkswagen Golf’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Mazda CX-3 base engine makes 148 horsepower. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 515 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 Volkswagen Golf the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Mazda CX-3. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
The Volkswagen Golf, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Mazda CX-3, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front leg room cargo space. The Volkswagen Golf and Mazda CX-3 are comparable in regards to front head room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Volkswagen Golf and the Mazda CX-3 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
17231 - 24998
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.400111
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
19110 - 24988
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.355971
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.724282 / 10
Reliability:
8.172846 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Mazda CX-3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.166666 / 10
Reliability:
6.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 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 CX-3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
8 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 21Ranking
11 out of / 56Ranking
11 out of / 27Ranking
15 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 20Ranking
18 out of / 20Ranking
19 out of / 66Ranking
19 out of / 20Ranking
23 out of / 56Ranking
24 out of / 66Ranking
35 out of / 66Ranking
51 out of / 56Ranking
52 out of / 56Ranking
52 out of / 56Ranking
52 out of / 56Ranking
61 out of / 66Ranking
61 out of / 66Ranking
61 out of / 66Ranking
62 out of / 66Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI
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:
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):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
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:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 39 / 33
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 515 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
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:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
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:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
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:
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:
17.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
42.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
110.9 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:
2945 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
167.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 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:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/60R16