2023 Honda Civic v Volkswagen Golf v Mazda 3 comparison
Honda, Volkswagen, and Mazda have taken their hatchbacks upmarket, at least when it comes to price. Which has done it most convincingly?
Mazda Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Golf Comparison
Mazda Mazda 3
Deal Available!
Volkswagen Golf
Deal Available!
2024 Mazda
Mazda 3
vs
2024 Volkswagen
Golf
Select Variants...
How they stack...
CarExpert Score
CarExpert has rated other vehicles in the small category, between scores of 7.4 and 8.7.
0.0
8.0
8.2
0.0
Based on the Mazda Mazda 3 G20 TOURING
Based on the Volkswagen Golf 110TSI LIFE
Best suitable for...
City driving
Driving the family
FunFuel Efficiency
51L
296 to 337 km
50L - 55L
290 to 429 km
ANCAP Safety Rating
Warranty
5 year
warranty
warranty
5 year
warranty
warranty
MSRP
$30,470 - $42,470
$32,790 - $77,490
Save with CarExpert
CarExpert's Take
Max Davies
Marketplace Journalist
Max Davies drove this car and these were their findings:
Hits
- Incredibly stylish inside and out
- Solid, sporty handling
- Packed full of tech
Misses
- Compromised cabin space
- Overreactive driver monitoring
- Only adequate performance
Matt Campbell
Senior Contributor
Matt Campbell drove this car and these were their findings:
Hits
- Lovely drive experience
- Punchy powertrain for a base model
- No annoying active safety tech
Misses
- Media controls take some learning
- Loud on coarse road surfaces
- Conventional auto not as snappy as DSG
Standard Features
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | ||
| Wireless phone charger | ||
| Powered tailgate | ||
| Rear air vents | ||
| Adaptive cruise control | ||
| Climate control | ||
| Reversing sensors | ||
| Reversing camera | ||
| Autonomous emergency braking | ||
Optional Features
- Metallic Paint Premium (+$595)
NA
Colours Available
The Mazda 3 is available in the following finishes:
- Platinum Quartz Metallic
- Sonic Silver Metallic
- Deep Crystal Blue Mica
- Jet Black Mica
- Snowflake White Pearl Mica
The following finishes cost an additional $495:
- Polymetal Grey Metallic
- Soul Red Crystal Metallic
- Machine Grey Metallic
On the core range, metallic paint is a $600 option while premium metallic paint is a $900 option.
The following shades are available on the core range:
- Candy White
- Deep Black
- Dolphin Grey
- Reflex Silver (excludes R-Line)
- Moonstone Grey (R-Line only)
- Atlantic Blue
- Pomello Yellow
All shades are a no-cost option in the GTI, but for Kings Red which costs $300. The following shades are available:
- Pure White
- Dolphin Grey
- Deep Black
- Moonstone Grey
- Atlantic Blue
- Kings Red
The Golf R is available in three exterior paint colours:
- Pure White
- Lapiz Blue metallic
- Deep Black pearl
Comparison
Reviews
8
2024 Mazda 3 G20 Touring Hatch review
Mazda's second-smallest hatch has gotten smaller in recent years, but it's still a competitive option in the shrinking small car class.
![[object Object] profile picture](https://c-images.carexpert.com.au/upload/q_auto:best/f_auto/c_scale,w_1600/v1/authors/clvcywim30000892uav3z55bi.jpg)
Max Davies
8.2
2024 Volkswagen Golf Life review
The most basic Volkswagen Golf in Australia is a terrific prospect for those after a classy conveyance with some great standard features.
![[object Object] profile picture](https://c-images.carexpert.com.au/upload/q_auto:best/f_auto/c_scale,w_1600/v1/authors/clbzv84s300008a46ceyg40l2.jpg)
Matt Campbell
Ready To Buy
Specs
| Type | ||
| ELECT DIRECT INJ, DIRECT FUEL INJ | TURBO DIRECT F/INJ | |
| Size (cc) | ||
| 1998 - 2488 | 1395 - 1984 | |
| Size (L) | ||
| 2.5L, 2.0L | 2.0L, 1.4L | |
| Induction | ||
| INLINE 4 | TURBO 4 | |
| Camshaft | ||
| VARIABLE DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM | VARIABLE DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM, DUAL OVERHEAD CAM | |
| Valves/Ports per Cylinder | ||
| 16 | 16 | |
| Power | ||
| 114kW - 139kW | 110kW - 245kW | |
| Power RPM | ||
| 6000 | 5000 - 5600 | |
| Torque | ||
| 200Nm - 252Nm | 250Nm - 420Nm | |
| Torque RPM | ||
| 4000 | 1500 - 2100 | |
| Bore Stroke | ||
| - | - | |
| Compression Ratio | ||
| 13 | 9.3 - 10.5 | |
