Audi A3 vs Mazda CX-3
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Audi A3 scores higher, 75 vs 66
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 11 Nov 2026, price 4 Nov 2026
Audi A3
20 of 27 standard · 1 not offered · 6 no dataFrom
$54,800
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Liftback
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol MHEV
- Power
- 110kW
- Economy
- 5.3 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 380L
Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 66, but the Mazda CX-3 is $27,000 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Mazda CX-3
14 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 not offered · 7 no dataFrom
$27,800
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- 2.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol (Skyactiv-G) with i-stop
- Power
- 110kW
- Economy
- 6.3 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 264L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$54,800RRP
- with the Mazda CX-3's standard kit: $54,800 (nothing to add; 1 with no data, not charged)
$27,800RRP
- cannot be matched: Keyless Entry, Heated Front Seats and Electric Driver Seat not offered
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Audi A3 35 TFSI S line Sportback
$54,800
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 4 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $230 a week in repayments ($54,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Mazda CX-3 G20 Pure
$27,800
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 4 Nov 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $105 a week in repayments ($27,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Mazda CX-3 starts $27,000 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$105/wk(≈$457/mo)
Estimate on the Mazda CX-3 at $27,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Audi A3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Mazda CX-3 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the Audi A3 and 4 on the Mazda CX-3.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Audi A3
- REC-005771 · published 12 Sep 2023Due to an installation defect, the internal fuse box wiring harness may become loose.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2023
- REC-000030 · published 5 Nov 2020Due to a production fault, over time a crack in the transmission’s pressure accumulator can occur.Year range on the notice: 2011 - 2012
- REC-000031 · published 6 May 2020Due to a production fault, over time a crack in the transmissions pressure accumulator can occur.Year range on the notice: 2007 - 2016
- 6 more on the model page.
Mazda CX-3
- REC-005733 · published 1 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the rear-view camera wiring harness may become damaged and could cause the rear-view image to become distorted or flicker.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2020
- REC-005009 · published 2 Dec 2021The low pressure fuel pump impeller may become deformed and cause the fuel pump to stop working.Year range on the notice: 2017 - 2019
- REC-000882 · published 15 May 2018If the engine is operated at high revs in an unloaded condition (either Park or Neutral) residual oil that may accumulate in the engine intake system may be drawn into the engine and result in an engine over run condition.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2017
- 3 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Audi A3 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mazda CX-3 gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi A3 stands out with wireless charging, heated front seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Mazda CX-3. The Mazda CX-3 counters with head-up display. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi A3 gets leather upholstery while the Mazda CX-3 offers black cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Audi A3 and 1-zone in the Mazda CX-3.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Audi A3 uses a Petrol MHEV producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed s tronic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds.
The Mazda CX-3 responds with a 2.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol (Skyactiv-G) with i-stop making 110kW and 195Nm, paired to a 6-speed automatic (skyactiv-drive) driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.9 seconds.
Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi A3 is 2.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi A3 measures 4,352mm long on a 2,635mm wheelbase, 77mm longer than the Mazda CX-3 at 4,275mm (2,570mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi A3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 380L in the Audi A3 and 264L in the Mazda CX-3, giving the Audi A3 a 116L advantage.
For towing, the Mazda CX-3 leads with a 1,200kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); both turn in a 10.6 m circle, kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Audi A3 costs about $1,511 a year (5.3 L/100km) and fuel for the Mazda CX-3 about $1,796 a year (6.3 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $285 a year less for the Audi A3.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Audi A3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mazda CX-3).
Where each one leads
The Audi A3: the bigger boot with the seats up (380L against 264L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,511 a year against $1,796).
The Mazda CX-3: the lower starting price ($27,800 against $54,800).
The Verdict
Audi A3 scores higher, 75 vs 66
The Audi A3 scores 75 to the Mazda CX-3's 66 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 4 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (Audi A3 ahead by 29 points), technology (Audi A3 ahead by 25 points), performance (Audi A3 ahead by 15 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Audi A3 costs about $285 less (5.3 L/100km against 6.3 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 380L in the Audi A3, 264L in the Mazda CX-3.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$105/wk(≈$457/mo)
Estimate on the Mazda CX-3 at $27,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Audi A3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi A3 and Mazda CX-3?
The Mazda CX-3 is the cheapest at $27,800 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi A3 by $27,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi A3 uses the least fuel at 5.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Audi A3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mazda CX-3, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Audi A3 has the largest boot at 380L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi A3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Track the Audi A3 & Mazda CX-3
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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