Compare the2022 Mazda 3VS 2022 Audi A3

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has standard Smart Brake Support that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has a standard 360-Degree Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The A3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Mazda 3’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Mazda 3 and the A3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda 3 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 74 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A3 has not been tested, yet.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the 3 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 80 percent more Mazda dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 3’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda 23rd in initial quality. With 63 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda 14th in reliability. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in reliability. Audi is ranked 14th.

The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 more horsepower (250 vs. 201) and 99 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 221) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 3 AWD non-turbo’s fuel efficiency. The A3 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Mazda 3 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the A3; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mazda 3’s wheelbase is 3.8 inches longer than on the A3 (107.3 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mazda 3 is 1 inch wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the A3.

For better maneuverability, the Mazda 3’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the A3’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.4 feet).

The Mazda 3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 350 pounds less than the Audi A3.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Mazda 3 a Compact car, while the A3 is rated a Subcompact.

The Mazda 3 Sedan has 5.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A3 (92.8 vs. 87).

The Mazda 3 Sedan has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the A3.

The Mazda 3 Sedan has a much larger trunk than the A3 (13.2 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

The Mazda 3 Auto 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 A3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Mazda 3’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The A3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mazda 3 Turbo’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The A3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Mazda 3 comes in sedan and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Audi A3 isn’t available as a four door hatchback.

The Mazda 3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Mazda 3 outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by over 8 to one during the 2021 model year.