Compare the2023 Volvo V60VS 2023 Mazda 3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The V60’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the V60 and Mazda 3 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The V60 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Mazda 3’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The V60 has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the V60. But it costs extra on the Mazda 3.

The V60 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the V60 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the V60 and the Mazda 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 and driver alert monitors.

The Volvo V60 weighs 1102 to 1407 pounds more than the Mazda 3. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volvo V60 is safer than the Mazda 3:

	V60	Mazda 3
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	189 lbs.	214 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 Volvo V60 is safer than the Mazda 3:

	V60	Mazda 3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	112
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	194 lbs.	238 lbs.
Hip Force	212 lbs.	239 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	271	371
Spine Acceleration	50 G’s	71 G’s
Hip Force	575 lbs.	620 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	30 G’s
Hip Force	490 lbs.	527 lbs.

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

Warranty

The V60 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 3’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The V60’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Mazda 3’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the V60 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 3.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the V60 has a standard 210-amp alternator. The Mazda 3’s standard 100-amp alternator and largest (Turbo) 150-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

The battery on the V60 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the V60’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Mazda 3’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

Engine

The V60’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 264 more horsepower (455 vs. 191) and 337 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 186) than the Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The V60’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 205 more horsepower (455 vs. 250) and 203 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 320) than the Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the V60 T8’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The V60 has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mazda 3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The V60 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mazda 3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons).

The V60 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 Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volvo V60, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Mazda 3.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the V60’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda 3:

	V60	Mazda 3	Mazda 3 AWD
Front Rotors	14.6 inches	11.02 inches	11.61 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	10.43 inches	10.43 inches

The V60’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Mazda 3 are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the V60 has larger tires than the Mazda 3 (235/45R18 vs. 205/60R16). The V60’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (235/45R18 vs. 215/45R18).

The V60’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard 60 series tires. The V60’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the V60 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda 3 2.5 S. The V60’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Volvo V60 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 3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The V60 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the V60 flat and controlled during cornering. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The V60 has a standard set of manually adjustable shock absorbers. They allow the driver the manually set the shock absorbers to a stiff setting for amateur competitions and return them to lower levels for a comfortable ride on normal streets. This allows the driver to choose between a comfortable ride or excellent handling during competitions. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The V60 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the V60’s wheelbase is 5.8 inches longer than on the Mazda 3 (113.1 inches vs. 107.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the V60 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than on the Mazda 3.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the V60. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the V60’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The V60 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Mazda 3 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the V60 uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The V60 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Mazda 3 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo, the V60 has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The power windows standard on both the V60 and the Mazda 3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the V60 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Mazda 3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the V60 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Mazda 3 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the V60 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The V60 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The V60’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the Mazda 3 Carbon/Turbo.

The V60 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo. The V60 also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Mazda 3.

The V60 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Mazda 3 Turbo.

The V60 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo.

Both the V60 and the Mazda 3 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the V60 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the V60 is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 3 because typical repairs cost less on the V60 than the Mazda 3, including $122 less for a power steering pump.

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