2014 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2014 Volkswagen Golf

2014 Mazda MAZDA3

2014 Volkswagen Golf

Select style

4-Door Sedan Manual i SV

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
4-Door Sedan Manual i SV	29	41	$16,474	$16,945
4-Door Sedan Automatic i SV	30	41	$17,495	$17,995
4-Door Sedan Manual i Sport	29	41	$17,655	$18,445
5-Door HB Manual i Sport	29	40	$18,131	$18,945
4-Door Sedan Automatic i Sport	30	41	$18,657	$19,495
4-Door Sedan Manual i Touring	29	41	$18,753	$19,595
5-Door HB Automatic i Sport	30	40	$19,136	$19,995
5-Door HB Manual i Touring	29	40	$19,231	$20,095
4-Door Sedan Automatic i Touring	30	41	$19,756	$20,645
5-Door HB Automatic i Touring	30	40	$20,234	$21,145
4-Door Sedan Manual i Grand Touring	29	41	$21,761	$22,745
5-Door HB Manual i Grand Touring	29	40	$22,241	$23,245
4-Door Sedan Automatic i Grand Touring	30	41	$22,766	$23,795
5-Door HB Automatic i Grand Touring	30	40	$23,243	$24,295
4-Door Sedan Automatic s Touring	28	39	$23,530	$24,595
5-Door HB Automatic s Touring	27	37	$24,008	$25,095
4-Door Sedan Automatic s Grand Touring	28	39	$24,869	$25,995
5-Door HB Automatic s Grand Touring	27	37	$25,345	$26,495

Select style

4-Door HB Automatic PZEV

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
4-Door HB Automatic PZEV	23	30	$19,195	$19,995
4-Door HB Automatic PZEV w/Convertible & Sunroof	23	30	$22,075	$22,995
4-Door HB Manual TDI	30	42	$24,192	$25,200
4-Door HB DSG PZEV Wolfsburg	24	32	$25,147	$26,195
4-Door HB DSG TDI	30	42	$25,248	$26,300
4-Door HB Manual TDI w/Sunroof & Nav	30	42	$25,819	$26,895
4-Door HB DSG TDI w/Sunroof & Nav	30	42	$26,875	$27,995
4-Door HB Manual PZEV Driver's Edition	21	31	$28,507	$29,695
4-Door HB DSG PZEV Driver's Edition	24	32	$29,563	$30,795

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$16,474

$19,195

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$16,945

$19,995

Monthly Payment Estimate

$282 / month

$333 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.4

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2014 Mazda 3 stands out from the small-car crowd, with its sport-car-influenced proportions and sporty driving experience; but its tight, noisy cabin means that it’s not at all the best pick for pragmatists.

The 2014 Volkswagen Golf hatchback offers excellent handling and a good ride, premium interior design and materials, and a range of engines--including the efficient TDI diesel--but at a premium price.

TCC Likes

Responsive powertrains
Sporty profile, eye-catching sheetmetal
Great handling

Good ride, super handling
High-quality interior
Sturdy, fuel-efficient TDI diesel

TCC Dislikes

Tight back seat
Busy ride
Road noise

Styling hardly changes
Slow, thirsty base engine
Minimal back-seat space

Fuel Economy

City

29 mpg

23 mpg

Highway

41 mpg

30 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.4

52.8

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

41.2

Front Hip Room (in)

55.5

Second Leg Room (in)

35.8

35.5

Front Head Room (in)

38.6

39.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)

96.3

92.9

Second Hip Room (in)

53.5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.2

54.7

Second Head Room (in)

37.6

38.5

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

57.3

58.2

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.4

59.6

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

101.5

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.7

70.3

Track Width, Front (in)

61.2

60.7

Min Ground Clearance (in)

6.1

5.4

Length, Overall (in)

180.3

165.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.4

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

15.2

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.4

10.7

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.2

14.5

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.8

35.8

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P205/60HR16

P195/65HR15

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P205/60HR16

P195/65HR15

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Full-Size

Front Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2781

3102

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 X 6.5

15 X 6

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 X 6.5

15 X 6

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Full-Size

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

140

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

480

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

155 @ 6000

170 @ 5700

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Regular Unleaded I-5

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Sequential MPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

150 @ 4000

177 @ 4250

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/122

2.5 L/151

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.84

0.85

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.38

3.19

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.95

2.37

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.03

1.16

Trans Description Cont.

Manual w/OD

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.68

0.67

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.36

4.04

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.85

3.87

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.30

1.56

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Summary

Body Style

Sedan

Hatchback

Vehicle Name

Mazda Mazda3

Volkswagen Golf

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

5.5

7.0

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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