2017 head-to-head · Compact Car
2017 Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Jetta
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2017 Mazda 3 (32 MPG) costs about $1,453 a year to fuel and the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta (33 MPG) about $1,409.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Mazda 3
- Volkswagen Jetta
Side by side
| Mazda 3 | Volkswagen Jetta | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,453 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,409 |
| 32 MPG | Combined efficiency | 33 MPG |
| 28 MPG | City | 28 MPG |
| 37 MPG | Highway | 40 MPG |
| 96 cu ft | Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| 12 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 281 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 271 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 8/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 8/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Jetta across model years
- Mazda 3
- Volkswagen Jetta
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Volkswagen Jetta has more cargo space (16 vs. 12 cu ft).
Among 50 2017 compact cars, the Mazda 3 ranks 14th and the Volkswagen Jetta 13th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Mazda 3 or the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
Measured by cost to drive, the Volkswagen Jetta. The Mazda 3 is rated 32 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Jetta 33 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Mazda 3 vs. the Volkswagen Jetta per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,453 for the Mazda 3 and $1,409 for the Volkswagen Jetta.
Which has more cargo space?
The Volkswagen Jetta, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 12 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Jetta in other years
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