2018 head-to-head · Compact Car
2018 Chevrolet Cruze 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 $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2018 Chevrolet Cruze (33 MPG) costs about $1,409 a year to fuel and the 2018 Mazda 3 (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
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Mazda 3
Side by side
| Chevrolet Cruze | Mazda 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,409 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,453 |
| 33 MPG | Combined efficiency | 32 MPG |
| 29 MPG | City | 28 MPG |
| 40 MPG | Highway | 37 MPG |
| 94 cu ft | Passenger volume | 96 cu ft |
| 10 cu ft | Cargo volume | 22 cu ft |
| 267 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 280 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 8/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| 6-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 vs Mazda 3 across model years
- Chevrolet Cruze
- 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 ranks 12th and the Mazda 3 16th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze or the 2018 Mazda 3?
Measured by cost to drive, the Chevrolet Cruze. The Chevrolet Cruze is rated 33 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 vs. the Mazda 3 per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,409 for the Chevrolet Cruze 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 vs Mazda 3 in other years
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