2018 head-to-head · Compact Car
2018 Mazda 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.
The 2018 Mazda 3 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,453 a year to fuel (32 MPG), versus $1,603 for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (29 MPG). That's roughly $150 a year, or about $752 over five years.
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
- Volkswagen Golf/GTI
Side by side
| Mazda 3 | Volkswagen Golf/GTI | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,453 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,603 |
| 32 MPG | Combined efficiency | 29 MPG |
| 28 MPG | City | 25 MPG |
| 37 MPG | Highway | 34 MPG |
| 96 cu ft | Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| 22 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 280 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 309 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 1.8L 4-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| 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 Volkswagen Golf/GTI across model years
- Mazda 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 Mazda 3 has more passenger space (96 vs. 93 cu ft); the Mazda 3 has more cargo space (22 vs. 16 cu ft).
Among 44 2018 compact cars, the Mazda 3 ranks 16th and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI 22nd for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Mazda 3 or the 2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 is rated 32 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI 29 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Mazda 3 vs. the Volkswagen Golf/GTI per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,453 for the Mazda 3 and $1,603 for the Volkswagen Golf/GTI.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mazda 3, with 22 cu ft of luggage volume versus 16 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI in other years
More 2018 comparisons
Mazda 3 vs…
Or compare the 2018 Mazda 3 with anything else: