2016 head-to-head · Compact Car

2016 Mazda 3 vs Nissan Versa

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

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✓ Cheaper to run
$1,409/ year to fuel
33 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,368/ year to fuel
34 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2016 Mazda 3 (33 MPG) costs about $1,409 a year to fuel and the 2016 Nissan Versa (34 MPG) about $1,368.

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
  • Nissan Versa

Side by side

Mazda 3Nissan Versa
$1,409 Your annual fuel cost $1,368
33 MPG Combined efficiency 34 MPG
29 MPG City 31 MPG
39 MPG Highway 39 MPG
96 cu ft Passenger volume 94 cu ft
12 cu ft Cargo volume 19 cu ft
270 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 262 g/mi
8/10 EPA fuel economy score 8/10
8/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 8/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl Engine / motor 1.6L 4-cyl
6-speed manual Transmission CVT
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 Nissan Versa across model years

  • Mazda 3
  • Nissan Versa

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 Nissan Versa has more cargo space (19 vs. 12 cu ft).

Among 51 2016 compact cars, the Mazda 3 ranks 13th and the Nissan Versa 11th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 Mazda 3 or the 2016 Nissan Versa?

Measured by cost to drive, the Nissan Versa. The Mazda 3 is rated 33 MPG combined and the Nissan Versa 34 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 Mazda 3 vs. the Nissan Versa per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,409 for the Mazda 3 and $1,368 for the Nissan Versa.

Which has more cargo space?

The Nissan Versa, with 19 cu ft of luggage volume versus 12 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Mazda 3 vs Nissan Versa in other years

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