Compare the2022 Mazda 3VS 2022 Volkswagen GTI

The Mazda 3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GTI doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Mazda 3 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The GTI doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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 GTI 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.

Both the Mazda 3 and the GTI have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, driver alert monitors, available 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 GTI has not been tested, yet.

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

The Mazda 3’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the GTI’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda 23rd in initial quality. With 36 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th.

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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda 14th in reliability. With 42 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 24th.

The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (250 vs. 241) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 273) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda 3 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Volkswagen GTI (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Mazda 3 Sedan gets better mileage than the GTI:

On the EPA test cycle the Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder 6 speed Auto FWD gets better fuel mileage than the GTI 7 speed SMG (26 city/34 hwy vs. 25 city/34 hwy).

The Mazda 3 has a tether attaching its gas cap to prevent its loss. The GTI’s gas cap isn’t tethered, so it can be left at a gas station if the driver forgets to screw the cap back in.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda 3 higher (7 out of 10) than the Volkswagen GTI (5). This means the Mazda 3 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GTI every 15,000 miles.

The Mazda 3 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the GTI.

The Mazda 3 stops shorter than the GTI:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mazda 3’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the GTI (107.3 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mazda 3 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the GTI.

For better maneuverability, the Mazda 3’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the GTI’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.8 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Mazda 3 Premium Hatchback is quieter than the GTI Autobahn 4dr Hatchback:

The Mazda 3 Sedan has 1.1 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more rear legroom and 4.6 inches more rear hip room than the GTI 4dr Hatchback.

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 GTI doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mazda 3 has standard extendable sun visors. The GTI doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Mazda 3’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The GTI has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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

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

The Mazda 3 outsold the Volkswagen Golf/GTI by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.