2018 head-to-head · Compact Car
2018 Kia Rio vs Mazda CX-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 Kia Rio (32 MPG) costs about $1,453 a year to fuel and the 2018 Mazda CX-3 (31 MPG) about $1,500.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Kia Rio
- Mazda CX-3
Side by side
| Kia Rio | Mazda CX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,453 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,500 |
| 32 MPG | Combined efficiency | 31 MPG |
| 28 MPG | City | 29 MPG |
| 37 MPG | Highway | 34 MPG |
| 90 cu ft | Passenger volume | 88 cu ft |
| 14 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 280 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 290 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 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 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.
Kia Rio vs Mazda CX-3 across model years
- Kia Rio
- Mazda CX-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 CX-3 has more cargo space (16 vs. 14 cu ft).
Among 44 2018 compact cars, the Kia Rio ranks 15th and the Mazda CX-3 19th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Kia Rio or the 2018 Mazda CX-3?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Rio. The Kia Rio is rated 32 MPG combined and the Mazda CX-3 31 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Kia Rio vs. the Mazda CX-3 per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,453 for the Kia Rio and $1,500 for the Mazda CX-3.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mazda CX-3, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 14 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Kia Rio vs Mazda CX-3 in other years
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