Toyota Yaris Cross vs Mazda CX-3
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs 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.
Toyota Yaris Cross
From $26,990
SUV
Petrol
1.5L 3-cyclinder Petrol
88kW
5.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
390L
Mazda CX-3
From $27,800
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
110kW
6.3 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
264L
Toyota Yaris Cross: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h, warranty, ground clearance and turning circle.
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
The Toyota Yaris Cross starts from $26,990 before on-road costs, while the Mazda CX-3 opens at $27,800. That makes the Toyota Yaris Cross the more affordable entry point by $810.
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. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $29,689 and $30,580 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Toyota Yaris Cross by roughly $1,285 in fuel alone.
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
The Toyota Yaris Cross features a 7-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Mazda CX-3 gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Toyota Yaris Cross gets fabric upholstery while the Mazda CX-3 offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Toyota Yaris Cross uses a 1.5L 3-cyclinder Petrol producing 88kW and 145Nm of torque, sent through a continuously variable transmission (auto cvt) to a FWD layout.
The Mazda CX-3 responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 195Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.9 seconds.
The Mazda CX-3 has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 88kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota Yaris Cross measures 4,180mm long on a 2,560mm wheelbase, 95mm shorter than the Mazda CX-3 at 4,275mm (2,570mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda CX-3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 390L in the Toyota Yaris Cross and 264L in the Mazda CX-3, giving the Toyota Yaris Cross a 126L 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 9.3 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 $1,539/year for the Toyota Yaris Cross and $1,796/year for the Mazda CX-3. That is a $257 annual difference in favour of the Toyota Yaris Cross.
Estimated annual total: $1,539 (Toyota Yaris Cross) vs $1,796 (Mazda CX-3). The Toyota Yaris Cross saves you roughly $257 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota Yaris Cross if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mazda CX-3 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Toyota Yaris Cross takes 3 of 4 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Toyota Yaris Cross will save you roughly $257 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Toyota Yaris Cross 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, Toyota Yaris Cross and Mazda CX-3?
The Toyota Yaris Cross is the cheapest at $26,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mazda CX-3 by $810.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Yaris Cross uses the least fuel at 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Toyota Yaris Cross all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Toyota Yaris Cross has the largest boot at 390L.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota Yaris Cross has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,250kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mazda CX-3 makes the most power at 110kW.
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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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