Lexus ES 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.
Lexus ES scores higher, 73 vs 66
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 4 Nov 2026
Lexus ES
17 of 27 standard · no option data · 10 no dataFrom
$75,000
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Hybrid
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 144kW
- Economy
- 4.5 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 493L
Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 66, but the Mazda CX-3 is $47,200 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.
Lexus ES: we're still completing kerb weight, torque, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 1 other.
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.
$75,000RRP
- no option data for this car
$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
Lexus ES ES 300h Luxury
$75,000
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 29 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $324 a week in repayments ($75,000 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 $47,200 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 Lexus ESDriva 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 Lexus ES a rating. 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 4 of 10 key systems on the Lexus ES 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
Lexus ES
- REC-005374 · published 6 Apr 2020The fuel pump on affected vehicles may stop operating.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2019
- REC-005366 · published 31 Jul 2019Some brake booster pumps may be manufactured improperly, and may cause the brake assist function to stop operating while driving.Year range on the notice: 2019
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 Lexus ES features a 14-inch touchscreen, while the Mazda CX-3 gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lexus ES stands out with panoramic roof, 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 Lexus ES gets nulux (synthetic leather) upholstery while the Mazda CX-3 offers black cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Lexus ES and 1-zone in the Mazda CX-3.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Lexus ES uses a Petrol producing 144kW, sent through a cvt to a FWD layout.
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.
The Lexus ES has the clear power advantage at 144kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Lexus ES measures 5,145mm long on a 2,950mm wheelbase, 870mm longer than the Mazda CX-3 at 4,275mm (2,570mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus ES generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 493L in the Lexus ES and 264L in the Mazda CX-3, giving the Lexus ES a 229L advantage.
The Mazda CX-3 turns in a 10.6 m circle, kerb to kerb; the Lexus ES's turning circle is not on our record.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Lexus ES costs about $1,283 a year (4.5 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 $513 a year less for the Lexus ES.
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km (Lexus ES) and 5 years / unlimited km (Mazda CX-3).
Where each one leads
The Lexus ES: more power (144kW against 110kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (493L against 264L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,283 a year against $1,796).
The Mazda CX-3: the lower starting price ($27,800 against $75,000).
The Verdict
Lexus ES scores higher, 73 vs 66
The Lexus ES scores 73 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: technology (Lexus ES ahead by 35 points), fuel economy (Lexus ES ahead by 16 points), safety (Lexus ES ahead by 10 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Lexus ES costs about $513 less (4.5 L/100km against 6.3 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 493L in the Lexus ES, 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 Lexus ESDriva 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, Lexus ES and Mazda CX-3?
The Mazda CX-3 is the cheapest at $27,800 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus ES by $47,200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus ES uses the least fuel at 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Lexus ES and Mazda CX-3, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lexus ES has the largest boot at 493L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda CX-3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus ES makes the most power at 144kW.
Track the Lexus ES & 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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