Mazda CX-3 vs Volvo ES90
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Volvo ES90 scores higher, 69 vs 66
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 12 Sep 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.
Volvo ES90
23 of 27 standard · no option data · 4 no dataFrom
$88,880
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 245kW
- Energy use
- 17.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP hasn't rated this model
- Boot (seats up)
- 424L
Top CarSorted Score, 69 vs 66, but the Mazda CX-3 is $61,080 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$27,800RRP
- cannot be matched: 360-Degree Camera, Keyless Entry, Premium Audio and 2 more not offered
$88,880RRP
- 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.
Volvo ES90 Plus Single Motor
$88,880
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 25 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $388 a week in repayments ($88,880 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 $61,080 lower on RRP.
The Volvo ES90 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Mazda CX-3 does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
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
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Volvo ES90Driva 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 ratings include no record for the Volvo ES90. 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 Volvo ES90.
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.
Volvo ES90
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
107kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 300kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 300kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Mazda CX-3 features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Volvo ES90 gets a 14.5-inch display and 9-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volvo ES90 counters with wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, power tailgate, Harman Kardon audio and ambient lighting. 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 Volvo ES90 offers nordico fabric. Climate control is 1-zone in the Mazda CX-3 and 4-zone in the Volvo ES90.
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 Volvo ES90 responds with a Electric making 245kW and 480Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds.
The Volvo ES90 has the clear power advantage at 245kW vs 110kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volvo ES90 is 4.3s 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, 725mm shorter than the Volvo ES90 at 5,000mm (3,102mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volvo ES90 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 264L in the Mazda CX-3 and 424L in the Volvo ES90, giving the Volvo ES90 a 160L advantage.
For towing, the Volvo ES90 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 400kg 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 Mazda CX-3's turning circle is 1.4 m tighter, 10.6 m against 12.0 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 electricity for the Volvo ES90 about $826 a year (17.2 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km (Mazda CX-3) and 5 years / unlimited km (Volvo ES90).
Where each one leads
The Mazda CX-3: the lower starting price ($27,800 against $88,880).
The Volvo ES90: more power (245kW against 110kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (424L against 264L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,600kg against 1,200kg).
The Verdict
Volvo ES90 scores higher, 69 vs 66
The Volvo ES90 scores 69 to the Mazda CX-3's 66 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: performance (Volvo ES90 ahead by 36 points), technology (Volvo ES90 ahead by 35 points), value (Mazda CX-3 ahead by 16 points). Boot space with the seats up: 264L in the Mazda CX-3, 424L in the Volvo ES90.
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
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Volvo ES90Driva 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 Volvo ES90?
The Mazda CX-3 is the cheapest at $27,800 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volvo ES90 by $61,080.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mazda CX-3, and ANCAP's published ratings include no record for Volvo ES90, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volvo ES90 has the largest boot at 424L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Volvo ES90 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volvo ES90 makes the most power at 245kW. The Volvo ES90 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.6s.
Track the Mazda CX-3 & Volvo ES90
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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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