2021 head-to-head · Compact Car
2021 Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Jetta
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 Jetta is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,368 a year to fuel (34 MPG), versus $1,500 for the 2021 Mazda 3 (31 MPG). That's roughly $132 a year, or about $662 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 Jetta
Side by side
| Mazda 3 | Volkswagen Jetta | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,368 |
| 31 MPG | Combined efficiency | 34 MPG |
| 28 MPG | City | 30 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 41 MPG |
| 93 cu ft | Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 287 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 260 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 Jetta across model years
- Mazda 3
- Volkswagen Jetta
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 Jetta has more cargo space (16 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 37 2021 compact cars, the Mazda 3 ranks 13th and the Volkswagen Jetta 11th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Mazda 3 or the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta?
Measured by cost to drive, the Volkswagen Jetta. The Mazda 3 is rated 31 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Jetta 34 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Mazda 3 vs. the Volkswagen Jetta per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,500 for the Mazda 3 and $1,368 for the Volkswagen Jetta.
Which has more cargo space?
The Volkswagen Jetta, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Jetta in other years
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