2018 head-to-head · Compact Car
2018 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel vs Mazda 3
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 $3.70/gal diesel fuel and $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2018 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel (37 MPG) costs about $1,500 a year to fuel and the 2018 Mazda 3 (32 MPG) about $1,453.
Your numbers
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Fuel cost over 10 years
- Chevrolet Cruze Diesel
- Mazda 3
Side by side
| Chevrolet Cruze Diesel | Mazda 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,453 |
| 37 MPG | Combined efficiency | 32 MPG |
| 31 MPG | City | 28 MPG |
| 47 MPG | Highway | 37 MPG |
| 94 cu ft | Passenger volume | 96 cu ft |
| 10 cu ft | Cargo volume | 22 cu ft |
| 276 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 280 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| Diesel | Powertrain | Gas |
| Diesel | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| 9-speed automatic | Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| 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.
Chevrolet Cruze Diesel vs Mazda 3 across model years
- Chevrolet Cruze Diesel
- Mazda 3
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 Mazda 3 has more cargo space (22 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 44 2018 compact cars, the Chevrolet Cruze Diesel ranks 18th and the Mazda 3 16th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Chevrolet Cruze Diesel is a diesel, while the Mazda 3 is a conventional gas model.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel or the 2018 Mazda 3?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda 3. The Chevrolet Cruze Diesel is rated 37 MPG combined and the Mazda 3 32 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel vs. the Mazda 3 per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.70/gal diesel fuel and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,500 for the Chevrolet Cruze Diesel and $1,453 for the Mazda 3.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mazda 3, with 22 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Chevrolet Cruze Diesel vs Mazda 3 in other years
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