2021 head-to-head · Compact Car
2021 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 2021 Volkswagen Golf/GTI is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,409 a year to fuel (33 MPG), versus $1,500 for the 2021 Mazda 3 (31 MPG). That's roughly $91 a year, or about $455 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,409 |
| 31 MPG | Combined efficiency | 33 MPG |
| 28 MPG | City | 29 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 39 MPG |
| 93 cu ft | Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 287 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 267 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 | 6-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 Volkswagen Golf/GTI has more cargo space (16 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 37 2021 compact cars, the Mazda 3 ranks 13th and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI 12th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Mazda 3 or the 2021 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
Measured by cost to drive, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI. The Mazda 3 is rated 31 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI 33 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Mazda 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 3 and $1,409 for the Volkswagen Golf/GTI.
Which has more cargo space?
The Volkswagen Golf/GTI, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI in other years
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