Mazda Mazda3 vs MG 5
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans 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.
Data checked: specs 7 Aug 2026, price 30 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
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.
MG 5: we're still completing 0-100km/h, ground clearance, turning circle and braked towing.
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.
$31,910RRP
- cannot be matched: Electric Driver Seat not offered
$30,990RRP
- 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.
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Price Breakdown
The Mazda Mazda3 starts from $31,910 before on-road costs, while the MG 5 opens at $30,990. That makes the MG 5 the more affordable entry point by $920.
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. Estimated driveaway prices sit around $32,990 for the Mazda Mazda3 and $32,990 for the MG 5.
Matching the MG 5's standard equipment means adding extra-cost options to the Mazda Mazda3, and one is priced only inside a package whose price the manufacturer doesn't publish, so the true gap is larger than the sticker difference suggests.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Mazda Mazda3 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
Mazda Mazda3
- 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-000896 · published 9 Jan 2020The Smart Brake Support (SBS) system may falsely detect an object in front of the vehicle, which may initiate the automatic brake function.Year range on the notice: 2019
- 10 more on the model page.
MG 5
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.
Feature Showdown
The Mazda Mazda3 features a 8.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the MG 5 gets a 10-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Mazda Mazda3 gets cloth upholstery while the MG 5 offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Mazda Mazda3 uses a Petrol producing 114kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The MG 5 responds with a 1.5L Turbo Petrol making 119kW and 250Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.
The MG 5 has the clear power advantage at 119kW vs 114kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mazda Mazda3 measures 4,660mm long on a 2,725mm wheelbase, 15mm shorter than the MG 5 at 4,675mm (2,680mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda Mazda3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 444L in the Mazda Mazda3 and 401L in the MG 5, giving the Mazda Mazda3 a 43L advantage.
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 9.1 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 $1,653/year for the Mazda Mazda3 and $1,824/year for the MG 5. That is a $171 annual difference in favour of the Mazda Mazda3.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda Mazda3) vs 10 years / 250,000km (MG 5). The MG 5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mazda Mazda3 if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the MG 5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer MG's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
MG 5: Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 68
The MG 5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (73 vs 68), taking 3 of 5 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: technology (MG 5 ahead by 33), safety (MG 5 ahead by 13), fuel economy (Mazda Mazda3 ahead by 6). The Mazda Mazda3 will save you roughly $171 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mazda Mazda3 has a clear edge. The MG 5 adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mazda Mazda3 and MG 5?
The MG 5 is the cheapest at $30,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mazda Mazda3 by $920.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mazda Mazda3 uses the least fuel at 5.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
MG 5 holds a 3-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mazda Mazda3, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mazda Mazda3 has the largest boot at 444L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda Mazda3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG 5 has the longest warranty that does not depend on dealer servicing at 7 years.
Which is the most powerful?
The MG 5 makes the most power at 119kW.
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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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