Citroen C3 vs Mazda Mazda3
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 19 Oct 2026, price 30 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
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.
$32,267RRP
- no option data for this car
$31,910RRP
- cannot be matched: Keyless Entry 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.
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Price Breakdown
The Citroen C3 starts from $32,267 before on-road costs, while the Mazda Mazda3 opens at $31,910. That makes the Mazda Mazda3 the more affordable entry point by $357.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $35,494 and $35,101 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Citroen C3 by roughly $1,000 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Citroen C3. We hold no ANCAP data for the Mazda Mazda3. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
Citroen C3
- REC-005687 · published 30 May 2023The timing belt may degrade due to aged engine oil.Year range on the notice: 2017 - 2020
- REC-000211 · published 8 Oct 2019A top tether anchorage point has been incorrectly fitted on the front passenger seat.Year range on the notice: 2018
- REC-003574 · published 11 Sep 2014The front suspension arm fixing bolts may break.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- 1 more on the model page.
Mazda Mazda3
- 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-000896 · published 9 Jan 2020The Smart Brake Support (SBS) system may falsely detect an object in front of the vehicle, which may initiate the automatic brake function.Year range on the notice: 2019
- 10 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 Citroen C3 features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Mazda Mazda3 gets a 8.8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mazda Mazda3 counters with head-up display. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Citroen C3 gets cloth upholstery while the Mazda Mazda3 offers black cloth.
Drivetrain
The Citroen C3 uses a Petrol producing 81kW and 205Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic (eat) to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.9 seconds.
The Mazda Mazda3 responds with a 2.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol with i-stop and cylinder deactivation making 114kW and 200Nm, paired to a 6-speed automatic (skyactiv-drive) driving the front wheels.
The Mazda Mazda3 has the clear power advantage at 114kW vs 81kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Citroen C3 measures 3,996mm long on a 2,539mm wheelbase, 464mm shorter than the Mazda Mazda3 at 4,460mm (2,725mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda Mazda3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Citroen C3 and 295L in the Mazda Mazda3, giving the Citroen C3 a 5L advantage.
For towing, the Mazda Mazda3 leads with a 1,200kg braked capacity vs 450kg. That 750kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m diameter
Good
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.2 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,482/year for the Citroen C3 and $1,682/year for the Mazda Mazda3. That is a $200 annual difference in favour of the Citroen C3.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Citroen C3) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda Mazda3). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Citroen C3 if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Citroen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mazda Mazda3 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Citroen C3: Top CarSorted Score, 69 vs 67
The Citroen C3 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (69 vs 67), taking 2 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: technology (Citroen C3 ahead by 37), performance (Mazda Mazda3 ahead by 12), reliability (Mazda Mazda3 ahead by 11). The Citroen C3 will save you roughly $200 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Citroen C3 and Mazda Mazda3?
The Mazda Mazda3 is the cheapest at $31,910 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Citroen C3 by $357.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Citroen C3 uses the least fuel at 5.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
We hold no ANCAP data for Citroen C3 and Mazda Mazda3, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Citroen C3 has the largest boot at 300L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda Mazda3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mazda Mazda3 makes the most power at 114kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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