Mazda CX-3 vs Toyota Corolla Sedan
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Toyota Corolla Sedan scores higher, 76 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
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.
Toyota Corolla Sedan
12 of 27 standard · no option data · 15 no dataFrom
$32,585
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Hybrid
- Engine
- 1.8L 4-cyl VVT-i Hybrid
- Power
- 103kW
- Economy
- 3.9 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 471L
Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 66, but the Mazda CX-3 is $4,785 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
$32,585RRP
- no option data for this car
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.
Toyota Corolla Sedan Ascent Sport Hybrid
$32,585
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $128 a week in repayments ($32,585 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 $4,785 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. ANCAP's published record does not give the Toyota Corolla Sedan 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 5 on the Toyota Corolla Sedan.
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.
Toyota Corolla Sedan
- REC-006390 · published 22 Jul 2025Due to a software programming issue, a memory device in the Combination Meter may deteriorate over time.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- REC-006193 · published 2 Dec 2024Due to a software issue in the skid control unit ECU, a higher pedal force may be required increasing the braking distance under certain driving conditions.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- REC-006191 · published 29 Nov 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, cracks may develop in the upper universal joint of the steering intermediate shaft assembly.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- 5 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 Toyota Corolla Sedan gets a 8-inch display and 12.3-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 Toyota Corolla Sedan. 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 Toyota Corolla Sedan offers cloth.
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 Toyota Corolla Sedan responds with a 1.8L 4-cyl VVT-i Hybrid making 103kW and 142Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds.
The Mazda CX-3 has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 103kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Toyota Corolla Sedan is 2.8s 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, 355mm shorter than the Toyota Corolla Sedan at 4,630mm (2,700mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Corolla Sedan generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 264L in the Mazda CX-3 and 471L in the Toyota Corolla Sedan, giving the Toyota Corolla Sedan a 207L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Mazda CX-3's turning circle is 0.2 m tighter, 10.6 m against 10.8 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 Toyota Corolla Sedan about $1,112 a year (3.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $684 a year less for the Toyota Corolla Sedan.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mazda CX-3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Toyota Corolla Sedan).
Where each one leads
The Mazda CX-3: the lower starting price ($27,800 against $32,585) and more power (110kW against 103kW).
The Toyota Corolla Sedan: the bigger boot with the seats up (471L against 264L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,112 a year against $1,796).
The Verdict
Toyota Corolla Sedan scores higher, 76 vs 66
The Toyota Corolla Sedan scores 76 to the Mazda CX-3's 66 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: technology (Toyota Corolla Sedan ahead by 32 points), fuel economy (Toyota Corolla Sedan ahead by 21 points), practicality (Toyota Corolla Sedan ahead by 7 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Corolla Sedan costs about $684 less (3.9 L/100km against 6.3 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 264L in the Mazda CX-3, 471L in the Toyota Corolla Sedan.
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 Toyota Corolla Sedan?
The Mazda CX-3 is the cheapest at $27,800 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota Corolla Sedan by $4,785.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Corolla Sedan uses the least fuel at 3.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mazda CX-3 and Toyota Corolla Sedan, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Toyota Corolla Sedan has the largest boot at 471L 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 Mazda CX-3 makes the most power at 110kW. The Toyota Corolla Sedan is quickest to 100km/h in 8.1s.
Track the Mazda CX-3 & Toyota Corolla Sedan
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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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