Kia Rondo vs Mazda Mazda3
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
Kia Rondo: we're still completing wheelbase, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Kia Rondo starts from $25,990 before on-road costs, while the Mazda Mazda3 opens at $26,490. That makes the Kia Rondo the more affordable entry point by $500.
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 $28,589 and $29,139 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mazda Mazda3 by roughly $3,990 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Mazda Mazda3 counters with Apple CarPlay that the Kia Rondo does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Kia Rondo lines up producing 106kW and 189Nm of torque, sent through a 5-speed manual to a FWD layout.
The Mazda Mazda3 responds with a Petrol making 114kW and 200Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.7 seconds.
The Mazda Mazda3 has the clear power advantage at 114kW vs 106kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Kia Rondo measures 4,545mm long, 85mm longer than the Mazda Mazda3 at 4,460mm (2,725mm wheelbase).
For towing, the Kia Rondo leads with a 1,400kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 200kg 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 $2,480/year for the Kia Rondo and $1,682/year for the Mazda Mazda3. That is a $798 annual difference in favour of the Mazda Mazda3.
Estimated annual total: $2,480 (Kia Rondo) vs $1,682 (Mazda Mazda3). The Mazda Mazda3 saves you roughly $798 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years (Kia Rondo) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda Mazda3). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Rondo if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mazda Mazda3 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Kia Rondo and Mazda Mazda3 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mazda Mazda3 will save you roughly $798 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, Kia Rondo and Mazda Mazda3?
The Kia Rondo is the cheapest at $25,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mazda Mazda3 by $500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mazda Mazda3 uses the least fuel at 5.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Kia Rondo all hold a 4-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Rondo has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,400kg.
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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