Mazda CX-3 vs Skoda Octavia
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Skoda Octavia scores higher, 77 vs 66
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 9 Nov 2026, price 4 Nov 2026
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.
Skoda Octavia
16 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 not offered · 5 no dataFrom
$39,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 110kW
- Economy
- 6.1 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 600L
Top CarSorted Score, 77 vs 66, but the Mazda CX-3 is $12,190 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$27,800RRP
- cannot be matched: Keyless Entry not offered
$39,990RRP
- cannot be matched: Digital Radio (DAB+) 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
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.
Skoda Octavia Sedan 110TSI
$39,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $162 a week in repayments ($39,990 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 $12,190 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 Mazda CX-3Driva 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 4 of 10 key systems on the Mazda CX-3 and 6 on the Skoda Octavia.
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
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.
Skoda Octavia
- REC-005899 · published 19 Feb 2024Due to a manufacturing issue, the heat shield between the brake master cylinder and the exhaust may have been incorrectly fitted.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2024
- REC-005419 · published 28 Apr 2022Due to manufacturing issue, the engine compartment cover may become loose.Year range on the notice: 2022
- REC-001196 · published 15 Oct 2019Due to a production fault, over time a crack in the transmissions pressure accumulator can occur.Year range on the notice: 2008 - 2015
- 6 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 Mazda CX-3 features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Skoda Octavia gets a 13-inch display and 10-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mazda CX-3 stands out with head-up display — features our data doesn't list for the Skoda Octavia. The Skoda Octavia counters with wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mazda CX-3 gets black cloth upholstery while the Skoda Octavia offers cloth. Climate control is 1-zone in the Mazda CX-3 and 2-zone in the Skoda Octavia.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Mazda CX-3 uses a 2.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol (Skyactiv-G) with i-stop producing 110kW and 195Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic (skyactiv-drive) to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.9 seconds.
The Skoda Octavia responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.7 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 Skoda Octavia is 2.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mazda CX-3 measures 4,275mm long on a 2,570mm wheelbase, 423mm shorter than the Skoda Octavia at 4,698mm (2,686mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Skoda Octavia generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 264L in the Mazda CX-3 and 600L in the Skoda Octavia, giving the Skoda Octavia a 336L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1174L vs 1555L.
For towing, the Skoda Octavia leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 300kg 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); the Skoda Octavia's turning circle is 0.2 m tighter, 10.4 m against 10.6 m 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 Mazda CX-3 costs about $1,796 a year (6.3 L/100km) and fuel for the Skoda Octavia about $1,739 a year (6.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $57 a year less for the Skoda Octavia.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mazda CX-3) and 7 years / Unlimited (Skoda Octavia). Capped-price servicing: no data (Mazda CX-3), 6 years (Skoda Octavia).
Where each one leads
The Mazda CX-3: the lower starting price ($27,800 against $39,990).
The Skoda Octavia: the bigger boot with the seats up (600L against 264L), the longer warranty (7 years against 5), the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 1,200kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,739 a year against $1,796).
The Verdict
Skoda Octavia scores higher, 77 vs 66
The Skoda Octavia scores 77 to the Mazda CX-3's 66 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 5 of the 6 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (Skoda Octavia ahead by 33 points), practicality (Skoda Octavia ahead by 16 points), technology (Skoda Octavia ahead by 16 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Skoda Octavia costs about $57 less (6.1 L/100km against 6.3 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 264L in the Mazda CX-3, 600L in the Skoda Octavia. Warranty: 5 years on the Mazda CX-3, 7 on the Skoda Octavia.
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 Mazda CX-3Driva 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, Mazda CX-3 and Skoda Octavia?
The Mazda CX-3 is the cheapest at $27,800 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Skoda Octavia by $12,190.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Skoda Octavia uses the least fuel at 6.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Skoda Octavia 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 Skoda Octavia has the largest boot at 600L with the seats up (1,555L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Skoda Octavia has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Skoda Octavia has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Track the Mazda CX-3 & Skoda Octavia
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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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