Compare the2022 Mazda CX-30VS 2022 Audi Q3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The CX-30 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Q3 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus has standard Rear Smart Brake Support that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Q3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The CX-30’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 Q3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CX-30 and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Audi Q3:

	CX-30	Q3
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	148	326
Neck Injury Risk	26.7%	39%
Neck Stress	216 lbs.	343 lbs.
Neck Compression	18 lbs.	35 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	201/172 lbs.	235/363 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	179	346
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33.5%	35%
Neck Stress	172 lbs.	186 lbs.

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

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 Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Audi Q3:

	CX-30	Q3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	73	88
Hip Force	275 lbs.	333 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	525 lbs.	632 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
HIC	178	504
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	47 G’s

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

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 CX-30 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 77 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Q3 was last a “Top Safety Pick Plus” in 2019 but no longer qualifies.

Warranty

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-30 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Q3 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 CX-30’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-30’s reliability 40 points higher than the Q3.

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’ 2022 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 12th in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 25th.

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.

Engine

The CX-30’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (250 vs. 228) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl. is faster than the Q3 45 TFSI:

	CX-30	Q3
Zero to 60 MPH	7.8 sec	8.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.3 MPH	85.4 MPH

Brakes and Stopping

The CX-30 stops shorter than the Q3:

	CX-30	Q3
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

The CX-30 Premium handles at .83 G’s, while the Q3 40 TFSI Premium Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-30 Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Q3 40 TFSI Premium Plus (27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-30’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the Q3’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-30 has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q3 (8 vs. 5.5 inches), allowing the CX-30 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Mazda CX-30 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 550 pounds less than the Audi Q3.

The CX-30 is 3.6 inches shorter than the Q3, making the CX-30 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The CX-30 has 10.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (94.1 vs. 84).

The CX-30 has 1.7 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more rear headroom and .2 inches more rear legroom than the Q3.

Ergonomics

The CX-30 Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-30’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q3’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-30’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Q3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Q3 Premium Plus’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-30 Premium’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the CX-30 Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Q3’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

On extremely cold winter days, the CX-30 Turbo Premium’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Economic Advantages

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-30 will be $5854 to $9570 less than for the Audi Q3.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Mazda CX-30 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Audi Q3 isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-30 outsold the Audi Q3 by 57% during the 2021 model year.