Compare the2022 Ford EcoSportVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

The Ford EcoSport 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 CX-3 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the EcoSport. But it costs extra on the CX-3.

Both the EcoSport and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors 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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford EcoSport is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

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

There are over 5 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EcoSport’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 14th in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd.

The EcoSport’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (166 vs. 148) and 3 lbs.-ft. more torque (149 vs. 146) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the EcoSport’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The EcoSport has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (13.8 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The EcoSport has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (13.8 vs. 12.7 gallons).

The EcoSport has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Ford EcoSport as a “Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle” (PZEV). The Mazda CX-3 is only certified to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV) standards.

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

The EcoSport stops shorter than the CX-3:

The EcoSport’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 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 EcoSport offers optional 17-inch wheels. The CX-3’s largest wheels are only 16-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Ford EcoSport 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 EcoSport has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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

The EcoSport is 7 inches shorter than the CX-3, making the EcoSport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the EcoSport uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The EcoSport has 3.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (91.1 vs. 87.6).

The EcoSport has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom, 1.9 inches more rear hip room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

The EcoSport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (20.9 vs. 17.8 cubic feet). The EcoSport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-3 with its rear seat folded (50 vs. 42.7 cubic feet).

The EcoSport has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-3 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the EcoSport uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The EcoSport 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 climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the EcoSport and the CX-3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the EcoSport is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the EcoSport’s available exterior PIN entry system. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Intelligent Access standard on the EcoSport SE/Titanium/SES 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 EcoSport’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-3’s power window (except driver window) and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The EcoSport SES/Titanium’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 EcoSport SE/Titanium/SES 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.

On extremely cold winter days, the EcoSport SES/Titanium’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The EcoSport (except S) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the EcoSport is less expensive to operate than the CX-3 because it costs $18 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the EcoSport than the CX-3, including $47 less for a water pump, $35 less for a starter and $153 less for fuel injection.

The Ford EcoSport outsold the Mazda CX-3 by over seven to one during the 2021 model year.