Mazda CX-3 vs Toyota Yaris Cross
$27,800 vs $31,790. Cheapest Mazda SUV vs most efficient Toyota SUV.
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 CX-3 G20 Pure
From $27,800
SUV
2.0L Petrol
110kW
6.3L/100km
5★ ANCAP
350L
Toyota Yaris Cross GX Hybrid 2WD
From $31,790
SUV
1.5L Hybrid
85kW
3.8L/100km
5★ ANCAP
390L
Price Breakdown
$3,990 gap. CX-3 G20 Pure at $27,800. Yaris Cross GX Hybrid at $31,790.
At 15,000km/year: CX-3 costs $35/week in fuel ($1,796/year at $1.90/L). Yaris Cross costs $21/week ($1,083/year). The Yaris Cross saves $713/year, $3,565 over 5 years.
5-Year Cost Estimate
| Cost | CX-3 G20 Pure | Yaris Cross GX Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Driveaway (est. VIC) | ~$31,000 | ~$35,000 |
| 5yr Fuel | $8,978 | $5,415 |
| 5yr Insurance | $6,500 | $6,800 |
| 5yr Servicing | $2,200 | $2,000 |
| Resale (est. 5yr, 48%/55%) | -$13,344 | -$17,485 |
| True 5yr Cost | $35,334 | $31,730 |
The Yaris Cross is $3,604 cheaper over 5 years despite costing $3,990 more to buy. Fuel savings and better resale flip the equation. Use our fuel cost calculator to check with your km.
Estimates based on CarSorted calculations. Actual costs vary.
Safety Rundown
Both 5-star ANCAP (2021). Both have AEB and lane keep. The Yaris Cross adds blind spot monitoring on higher trims. At this base spec, safety is a tie. Compare on CarSorted.
Feature Showdown
CX-3 G20 Pure gets an 8-inch screen, Apple CarPlay, and Mazda's rotary dial controller. Interior materials are a step above the Yaris Cross at this price. The Yaris Cross GX gets an 8-inch screen, wireless CarPlay, and the hybrid system's silent city driving. CX-3 wins on interior feel. Yaris Cross wins on tech (wireless CarPlay, hybrid).
CarSorted Data Insight
Based on CarSorted's database of 1,041 Australian vehicles: the Yaris Cross GX Hybrid at $31,790 is the cheapest hybrid SUV in Australia. The next cheapest is the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid at $32,300. The CX-3 G20 Pure at $27,800 is the cheapest Mazda SUV in our database.
At 3.8L/100km, the Yaris Cross Hybrid has the lowest fuel consumption of any SUV in our entire database. The CX-3 at 6.3L/100km ranks 47th. That 2.5L/100km gap costs $713/year at typical Australian driving distances.
The Verdict
Buy the Yaris Cross Hybrid if: you want the absolute lowest running costs ($21/week fuel), better resale (Toyota hybrid demand is strong), and a bigger boot (390L). Best for commuters and cost-conscious buyers.
Buy the CX-3 if: you need to tow (1,000kg vs 400kg), want more power (110kW), prefer Mazda's interior quality, and need the lowest possible purchase price ($27,800).
Compare both on CarSorted. See also: Yaris Cross vs Kona and best small cars ranked.
Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices excluding on-road costs. Correct at time of publishing. Verify with your dealer.
The Verdict
The Yaris Cross costs $3,990 more but saves $713/year in fuel. Over 5 years that's $3,565 in fuel savings alone, nearly covering the price gap. It's also quicker (9.8s vs 10.9s), has a bigger boot (390L vs 350L), and Toyota's resale is stronger. The CX-3 wins on purchase price, power (110kW vs 85kW), towing (1,000kg vs 400kg), and ground clearance (175mm vs 120mm). Buy the Yaris Cross for lowest running costs. Buy the CX-3 if you need more towing capacity or the lowest possible purchase price.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (5 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. All opinions are editorial and independent. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 5 April 2026
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