Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SportVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-3 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Outlander Sport and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Outlander Sport comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-3’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander Sport 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-3 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Outlander Sport’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-3’s (7 vs. 5 years).

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Outlander Sport has a standard 130-amp alternator. The CX-3’s 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Outlander Sport second among small suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The CX-3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 13th in reliability, above the industry average. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

The Outlander Sport GT’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (168 vs. 148) and 21 lbs.-ft. more torque (167 vs. 146) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Outlander Sport AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Outlander Sport FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (16.6 vs. 12.7 gallons).

The Outlander Sport has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Outlander Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-3:

The Outlander Sport stops shorter than the CX-3:

For better traction, the Outlander Sport ES/LE/SE/GT’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-3 (225/55R18 vs. 215/60R16).

The Outlander Sport ES/LE/SE/GT’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-3’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Outlander Sport ES/LE/SE/GT has standard 18-inch wheels. The CX-3’s largest wheels are only 16-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Outlander Sport has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Outlander Sport flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Outlander Sport’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the CX-3 (105.1 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander Sport has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-3 (8.5 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Outlander Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Outlander Sport has 9.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (97.5 vs. 87.6).

The Outlander Sport has 1 inch more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom, 2.6 inches more rear hip room and 5.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

The Outlander Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (21.7 vs. 17.8 cubic feet). The Outlander Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-3 with its rear seat folded (49.5 vs. 42.7 cubic feet).

The Outlander Sport offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

FAST-Key standard on the Outlander Sport SE/GT allows you to unlock the driver’s door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mazda CX-3’s Pushbutton Start doesn’t unlock the doors or the cargo door.

The Outlander Sport’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Outlander Sport LE/SE/GT has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the CX-3.

Insurance will cost less for the Outlander Sport owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Outlander Sport with a number “1” insurance rate while the CX-3 is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Outlander Sport is less expensive to operate than the CX-3 because typical repairs cost less on the Outlander Sport than the CX-3, including $10 less for front brake pads and $8 less for fuel injection.

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport outsold the Mazda CX-3 by over five to one during the 2021 model year.