2017 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2017 Volkswagen Golf

Compare 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2017 Volkswagen Golf

2017 Mazda MAZDA3

2017 Volkswagen Golf

Select style

Grand Touring Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Mazda3 4-Door Grand Touring Automatic	27	36	$23,149	$24,195
Mazda3 4-Door Grand Touring Manual	25	34	$22,144	$23,145
Mazda3 4-Door Sport Automatic	28	37	$18,084	$18,895
Mazda3 4-Door Sport Manual	27	37	$17,080	$17,845
Mazda3 4-Door Touring Automatic	28	37	$20,568	$21,495
Mazda3 4-Door Touring Manual	27	37	$19,564	$20,445
Mazda3 5-Door Grand Touring Automatic	26	35	$23,864	$24,945
Mazda3 5-Door Grand Touring Manual	25	33	$22,862	$23,895
Mazda3 5-Door Sport Automatic	28	37	$19,278	$20,145
Mazda3 5-Door Sport Manual	27	37	$18,275	$19,095
Mazda3 5-Door Touring 2.5 Automatic	26	35	$22,431	$23,445
Mazda3 5-Door Touring 2.5 Manual	25	33	$21,429	$22,395
Mazda3 5-Door Touring Automatic	28	37	$21,284	$22,245

Select style

1.8T 4-Door S Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Golf 1.8T 4-Door S Automatic	25	35	$20,155	$20,995
Golf 1.8T 4-Door S Manual	25	36	$19,099	$19,895
Golf 1.8T 4-Door SE Automatic	25	35	$24,427	$25,445
Golf 1.8T 4-Door SEL Automatic	25	35	$26,875	$27,995
Golf 1.8T 4-Door Wolfsburg Edition Automatic	25	35	$21,761	$22,795
Golf 1.8T 4-Door Wolfsburg Edition Manual	25	36	$20,705	$21,595
Golf Alltrack 1.8T S DSG	22	30	$25,873	$26,950
Golf Alltrack 1.8T S Manual	22	32	$24,817	$25,850
Golf Alltrack 1.8T SE DSG	22	30	$29,308	$30,530
Golf Alltrack 1.8T SE Manual	22	32	$28,252	$29,430
Golf Alltrack 1.8T SEL DSG	22	30	$31,575	$32,890
Golf GTI 2.0T 2-Door S DSG	24	32	$25,051	$26,095
Golf GTI 2.0T 2-Door S Manual	24	34	$23,995	$24,995
Golf GTI 2.0T 4-Door Automaticbahn DSG	24	32	$33,707	$35,195
Golf GTI 2.0T 4-Door Automaticbahn Manual	24	34	$32,651	$34,095
Golf GTI 2.0T 4-Door S DSG	24	32	$25,627	$26,695
Golf GTI 2.0T 4-Door S Manual	24	34	$24,571	$25,595
Golf GTI 2.0T 4-Door SE DSG	24	32	$30,611	$31,990
Golf GTI 2.0T 4-Door SE Manual	24	34	$29,555	$30,890
Golf GTI 2.0T 4-Door Sport DSG	24	32	$27,931	$29,095
Golf GTI 2.0T 4-Door Sport Manual	24	34	$26,875	$27,995
Golf R 4-Door DSG	23	30	$35,285	$36,755
Golf R 4-Door DSG w/DCC/Nav	23	30	$38,768	$40,475
Golf R 4-Door Manual	22	31	$34,229	$35,655
Golf R 4-Door Manual w/DCC/Nav	22	31	$37,712	$39,375
Golf SportWagen 1.8T S Automatic	25	34	$21,773	$22,680
Golf SportWagen 1.8T S Automatic 4MOTION	22	30	$23,932	$24,930
Golf SportWagen 1.8T S Manual	25	35	$20,718	$21,580
Golf SportWagen 1.8T S Manual 4MOTION	22	32	$22,877	$23,830
Golf SportWagen 1.8T SE Automatic	25	34	$25,948	$27,030
Golf SportWagen 1.8T SEL Automatic	25	34	$28,772	$29,970

Show Only Differences

Volkswagen Golf vs. Mazda 3: Compare Cars

John Voelcker

Among the growing plethora of compact hatchbacks, the Volkswagen Golf is the endurance champ, now more than 40 years old over seven generations. While the Mazda 3 is only on its third generation, Mazda has sold other small hatchbacks, so both are contenders of long standing on the sporty end of the small-car scale.

Read full comparison »

Pricing

Invoice Price

$23,149

$20,155

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$24,195

$20,995

Monthly Payment Estimate

$403 / month

$350 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.3

Read Our Full Review

6.5

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2017 Mazda 3 is near the top of our favorite compact cars on sale today. Its good performance, good fuel economy, and good value make for a very good car.

There's a Golf for nearly every taste and need—Golf, Golf GTI, Golf SportWagen— and don't forget about the EV eGolf, which is very balanced and fun to drive.

TCC Likes

Attractive exterior
Balanced chassis
Good base equipment

Functional, spacious interior
Good base powertrain
Better handling

TCC Dislikes

Behind the times infotainment
Small-ish space
Mixed interior materials

Styling is too conservative
Golf R can be pricey
Rear seats don't fold quite flat

Fuel Economy

City

27 mpg

25 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

35 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

35.8

35.6

Front Head Room (in)

37.6

38.4

Passenger Volume (ft³)

96.3

93.5

Second Hip Room (in)

53.5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.2

55.9

Second Head Room (in)

37.5

38.1

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.4

53.9

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

41.2

Front Hip Room (in)

55.5

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.7

70.8

Track Width, Front (in)

61.2

Min Ground Clearance (in)

6.1

5.4

Length, Overall (in)

180.3

167.5

Height, Overall (in)

57.3

57.2

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.4

59.8

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

103.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.4

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

52.7

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

22.8

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.6

11.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

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

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.2

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.8

35.8

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P215/45WR18

P195/65HR15

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P215/45WR18

P195/65HR15

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3100

3023

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7

15 X 6

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7

15 X 6

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

140

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

480

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

185 @ 3250

199 @ 1600

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.5 L/152

1.8 L/110

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

184 @ 5700

170 @ 4500

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.60

0.67

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.55

4.46

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.39

3.87

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

1.56

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

0.85

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.89

3.19

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.02

2.51

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.14

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Summary

Vehicle Name

Mazda Mazda3 4-Door

Volkswagen Golf

Body Style

Sedan

Hatchback

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Emissions

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

5.8

6.1

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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