2019 head-to-head · Compact Car

2019 Mazda CX-3 vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,500/ year to fuel
31 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,453/ year to fuel
32 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2019 Mazda CX-3 (31 MPG) costs about $1,500 a year to fuel and the 2019 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (32 MPG) about $1,453.

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 CX-3
  • Volkswagen Golf/GTI

Side by side

Mazda CX-3Volkswagen Golf/GTI
$1,500 Your annual fuel cost $1,453
31 MPG Combined efficiency 32 MPG
29 MPG City 29 MPG
34 MPG Highway 37 MPG
88 cu ft Passenger volume 93 cu ft
16 cu ft Cargo volume 16 cu ft
289 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 276 g/mi
7/10 EPA fuel economy score 7/10
7/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 7/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl Engine / motor 1.4L 4-cyl turbo
6-speed automatic Transmission 8-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.

Mazda CX-3 vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI across model years

  • Mazda CX-3
  • Volkswagen Golf/GTI

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 Golf/GTI has more passenger space (93 vs. 88 cu ft).

Among 43 2019 compact cars, the Mazda CX-3 ranks 17th and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI 12th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2019 Mazda CX-3 or the 2019 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?

Measured by cost to drive, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI. The Mazda CX-3 is rated 31 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI 32 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2019 Mazda CX-3 vs. the Volkswagen Golf/GTI per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,500 for the Mazda CX-3 and $1,453 for the Volkswagen Golf/GTI.

Mazda CX-3 vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI in other years

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