Buy a car
from the safety of your home.
Connect with our dealer and finance partners through our site and ask for details regarding their at-home car buying services.
  • Video car tours
  • E-transaction: complete paperwork online
  • Vehicle home delivery
  • Enhanced vehicle sanitization
OK

2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. Its Competition

2018 Mazda3
Aaron Cole Aaron Cole Managing Editor

Many compact cars do affordability or fun, but not together.

The Volkswagen Golf can be fun to drive, but its price can soar.

Some versions of the Ford Focus can be equally sporty, but not all that practical and its interior is very dated.

The Honda Civic straddles both worlds very well, although it’s hard to find high performance in anything but it’s pricey Type R model.

The Elantra and Impreza are both very practical, with good interior room, but only middling performance.

2018 Mazda32018 Mazda MAZDA3
Browse Used Listings		2018 Ford Focus RS Limited Edition2018 Ford Focus
Browse Used Listings		2018 Honda Civic2018 Honda Civic
Browse Used Listings		2018 Hyundai Elantra2018 Hyundai Elantra
Browse Used Listings		2018 Subaru Impreza2018 Subaru Impreza
Browse Used Listings		2018 Volkswagen Golf R2018 Volkswagen Golf
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
7.2
The 2018 Mazda 3 adds standard active safety features to an already compelling value. Among compact cars, this is one to consider.
6.2
The 2018 Ford Focus is irony on wheels: it comes in a dizzying range of models, of which the SEL and ST are our picks.
7.5
The 2018 Honda Civic is a good car made better by plenty of options and value at nearly every stop.
6.8
The 2018 Hyundai Elantra adds a versatile hatchback to the fold and makes a more compelling case as a compact contender in a value-packed segment.
7.2
The 2018 Subaru Impreza offers all-wheel drive for all of us in a comfortable, refined, tech-savvy package.
6.5
There's a VW Golf for everyone, and they're even better for 2018 thanks to a big tech upgrade inside.
MSRP From     
$18,095$17,950$18,940$16,950N/A$20,910
Gas Mileage     
25 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy19 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy22 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy22 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy21 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4N/AIntercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
EPA Class     
Compact CarsCompact CarsMid-Size CarsMid-Size CarsN/ACompact Cars
Style Name     
Sport ManualS SedanLX ManualSE 2.0L Manual (Ulsan)N/A1.8T S Manual
Drivetrain     
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveN/AFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
5555N/A5
Passenger Doors     
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
SedanSedanSedanSedanN/AHatchback
Transmission     
Manual w/ODManual w/ODManual w/ODManual w/ODN/AManual w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2018 Ford Focus2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2018 Honda Civic2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2018 Hyundai Elantra2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2018 Subaru Impreza2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2018 Volkswagen Golf