Introduction
Compact cars are all about the Mazda3 and the Volkswagen Golf. For so many years now, these two have proved to be icons of performance, style, and reliability. We’ll cover absolutely everything concerning these two vehicles to be able to arrive at a verdict of which one best suits your needs. Let’s have a look at the comparison of Mazda3 vs. Volkswagen Golf.
Overview of the Mazda3
Better known for its sporty look and feel, the Mazda3 promises more agile performance. It is available as a sedan and hatchback and provides an excellent balance between practicality and driving enjoyment. Being noted for its better handling and great cabin, the Mazda3 usually appears in many lists of preferred compact cars.
Price: $21,500 – $28,000
Horsepower: 155 hp – 250 hp
Torque: 150 lb-ft – 320 lb-ft
Transmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Drive Type
- Standard: Front-wheel drive
- Available: All-wheel drive on higher trims
Fuel Economy: Up to 36 mpg
What’s Great about Mazda3
- Good Looks: The design of the car is very modern and also looks very nice on the road.
- Sporty Handling: Precise steering and agile handling make for a lot of fun when driving with the Mazda3.
- Nice and premium quality interior: The build quality is excellent, along with nice material, providing a premium feel.
- Fuel Efficiency: This is fuel-efficient, hence rendering the car very economical to be used for everyday commutes.
- Advanced Safety Features: In making driving and riding very safe, the Mazda3 incorporates advanced technologies.
- A Variety of Available Engines: It has a range of engines offered in the Mazda3 that allows one to pick out how much power one wants to have at their beck and call.
What’s Lacking in Mazda3
- Rear Legroom: The rear seats in the Mazda3 are quite cramped for larger passenger
- Higher Trims Prices: Higher trims of the Mazda 3 are a little expensive than their immediate rivals
- Small Trunk Space: Trunk space in the sedan variant is pretty limited
- Ride: The ride quality is marginally firm
- Road Noise: It can be a bit noisy on rough roads.
- Infotainment Learning Curve: Some users find the system to be time-consuming to learn.
Volkswagen Golf Overview
The Volkswagen Golf has been a compact car favorite for several decades. Known for its sturdy construction and ability to iron out lousy roads, the Golf makes for a sophisticated drive. With differing trims like the more serious GTI performance variant, the Golf is versatile and a sure thing.
Price Range: $23,195 – $39,090
Horsepower: 147 hp to 228 hp (GTI)
Torque: 184 lb-ft to 258 lb-ft (GTI)
Transmission: 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (GTI)
Drive Type
- Standard: Front-wheel drive
- Available: All-wheel drive on Golf R
Fuel Economy: Up to 37 mpg
What’s Good in Volkswagen Golf
- Solid Build Quality: The golf is known for its solid build quality and strength.
- Smooth Ride: The Golf comes with a smooth, comfortable ride, perfect for long drives.
- Generous Interior Space: The Golf boasts a spacious interior that has enough room for the occupants to stretch out and ample cargo space as well.
- High-Performance Options: The GTI and R variants are high performance variants aimed at enthusiasts.
- Fuel-Efficient Engines: The engines of the Golf return fuel economy without compromising on performance.
- Precise Technology: The Golf’s adoptions of modern tech include a digital cockpit and advanced infotainment.
- Wheels Refined: The Golf provides both a balanced as well as refined drive experience.
What’s Lacking in Volkswagen Golf
- Higher Price: The Golf is rather more expensive than most of its competitors.
- Fewer Choices of Engine: Fewer choices of engines than some rivals
- Complex Infotainment: The system can be fiddly to operate.
- Conservative Styling:Most will find the Golf’s design simply too conservative.
- Unremarkable Fuel Economy:Though fuel-efficient, it’s not class-leading.
- Fewer Base Features: Not as many standard features on the base model.
- Higher Repair Costs: Higher repair and maintenance costs than some rivals.
Performance Comparison: Mazda3 vs. Volkswagen Golf
When it comes to performance, the Mazda3 vs. Volkswagen Golf is where things get interesting. Both cars have singular attributes that make them attractive to rather divergent driving tastes.
Some of the available engines in this car include a 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder system that produces 155 horsepower with 150 lb-ft of torque. Those looking for a little more oomph in their vehicles may find their calling in the 2.5L turbocharged engine, which doles out up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque. On the road, the Mazda3 corners agilely, with very sharp steering that really speaks to the driving experience on offer here in this vehicle. Transmission options include a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.
The Volkswagen Golf base engine is a 1.4-liter turbocharged unit making 147 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. Its GTI will run with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine churning out 228 horsepower with 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The ride of the Golf is more balanced, providing a smooth and comfortable drive.
While these two cars are basically similar when it comes to fuel efficiency, the Mazda3 goes up to 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The Volkswagen Golf goes up to 29 mpg in town and up to 37 mpg on the highway. Both are quite economical, in fact, for everyday driving.
While in conclusion, the choice between the Mazda3 vs. Volkswagen Golf really does come down to your driving preference. While the former offers a sporty drive with more powerful engine options, the latter offers a refined and comfortable ride with performance that’s nothing to sneeze at. Both of these cars are examples of excellence on their own terms, thus being top contenders in the compact car segment.
Technology and Features: Mazda3 vs. Volkswagen Golf
Regarding the technology and features between the Mazda3 and the Volkswagen Golf, these two compact cars have some of the latest features any car in their class could have.
Mazda3 Technology and Features
The newest Mazdas come with an 8.8-inch screen and an infotainment system that is easier to use than before, and now Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The Bose 12-speaker premium audio system sounds decent. Advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring are all standard on the higher trims.
The interior design of this version is not too complicated and only involves quality materials. Dual-zone automatic climate control and head-up display enhance comfort and convenience. The tech suite in the new Mazda3 keeps one connected and safe when driving.
Volkswagen Golf Technology and Features
It will also be available in the new Volkswagen Golf: a digital cockpit with user-configurable display content. This will allow the drivers to see important information directly in their field of vision. The infotainment system has an 8.0-inch touchscreen and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audiophiles get a Fender premium audio system.
It goes from adaptive cruise control to blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking. Other features that put the Golf at a further competitive edge include an interior with loads of space and very comfortable seating, well-finished for occupants’ comfort. This is further enhanced by the dual-zone climate control.
Interior Comfort Perspective: Mazda3 vs. Volkswagen Golf
Comparing the interior comfort of the Mazda3 vs. Volkswagen Golf, without a doubt, both vehicles have great features; they just simply prefer different tastes.
Sophisticated and elegant, the cabin of the Mazda3 is materialized with quality and attention to details, giving this model a premium finish. The seats are also quite well profiled and hence comfortable enough for long drives. While the front seats are generous, there is a limited space at the back, which may create discomfort for taller passengers. The design is rather driver-oriented; at the same time, the infotainment system is very easy to use. The minimalistic design enhances the sleek ambiance to create a serene driving environment.
While the Golf may be a more practical and spacious alternative, with a large interior and adequate legroom up front and back, it’s rather functional. The seats are comfortable enough and supportive for long journeys, so they may even turn out to be worthy of recommendation. With high quality materials also used inside the Golf, the design is not as flashy as the Mazda3’s. The Golf’s infotainment system has lots of functionality, is easy to operate, and the controls are somewhat within reach of the driver to enhance the driving experience.
Being a hatchback, the Golf exhibits superior cargo space over the others, hence giving more versatility and storage capacity. Therefore, it befits any person who requires more luggage space or more room for groceries.
Conclusion
In this compact car battle between the Mazda3 and the Volkswagen Golf, every model possesses different strong points: on its side, sporty handling and a luxurious interior with advanced safety features; and for the Volkswagen Golf, a comfortable ride, spacious interior, and high-tech options. It boils down to choosing either a sporty, fun drive or a comfortable and practical ride. They then level the playing field, with both excellent cars, becoming some of the top contenders in the compact car market.
