Mazda Mazda3 vs Toyota Prius
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks 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.
Mazda Mazda3
From $26,490
Hatchback
Petrol
2.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol with i-stop and cylinder deactivation
114kW
5.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
295L
Toyota Prius
Price TBC
Hatchback
Hybrid
—
90kW
3.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
502L
Toyota Prius: we're still completing price, 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.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Mazda Mazda3 stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Toyota Prius. The Toyota Prius counters with wireless charging, heated front seats and JBL audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mazda Mazda3 gets black cloth upholstery while the Toyota Prius offers leather accented.
Drivetrain
The Mazda Mazda3 uses a 2.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol with i-stop and cylinder deactivation producing 114kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic (skyactiv-drive) to a FWD layout.
The Toyota Prius lines up making 90kW and 142Nm, paired to a continuously variable transmission (cvt) driving the front wheels.
The Mazda Mazda3 has the clear power advantage at 114kW vs 90kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mazda Mazda3 measures 4,460mm long on a 2,725mm wheelbase, 115mm shorter than the Toyota Prius at 4,575mm (2,700mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda Mazda3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 295L in the Mazda Mazda3 and 502L in the Toyota Prius, giving the Toyota Prius a 207L 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 9.2 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 $1,682/year for the Mazda Mazda3 and $969/year for the Toyota Prius. That is a $713 annual difference in favour of the Toyota Prius.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda Mazda3) vs 5 years (Toyota Prius). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mazda Mazda3 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota Prius if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Toyota Prius takes 2 of 3 key spec categories. The Toyota Prius will save you roughly $713 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Toyota Prius has a clear edge. 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 Toyota Prius?
The Mazda Mazda3 is the cheapest at $26,490 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Prius uses the least fuel at 3.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Toyota Prius holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for 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 Toyota Prius has the largest boot at 502L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda Mazda3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mazda Mazda3 makes the most power at 114kW.
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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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