Compare the2023 Volkswagen GTIVS 2023 Mazda 3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The GTI has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies 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.

The GTI 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 and moves the vehicle back into its lane. 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 GTI 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 GTI and the Mazda 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 and driver alert monitors.

Warranty

The GTI comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The 3’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The GTI’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Mazda 3’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the GTI for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 3.

There are over 17 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GTI’s warranty.

Reliability

The Volkswagen GTI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Mazda 3’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (241 vs. 191) and 87 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 186) than the Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

	GTI	3 4 cyl.	3 turbo 4 cyl.
Zero to 60 MPH	5.1 sec	7.5 sec	5.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	12.2 sec	20.2 sec	14.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.5 sec	7.9 sec	6.4 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.7 sec	3.8 sec	n/a
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.8 sec	5 sec	n/a
Quarter Mile	13.6 sec	15.8 sec	14.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	105 MPH	90 MPH	99 MPH
Top Speed	155 MPH	130 MPH	134 MPH

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is optional on the Volkswagen GTI, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Mazda 3.

The GTI offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an SMG.

The GTI Automatic’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	GTI	Mazda 3	Mazda 3 AWD
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.02 inches	11.61 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	10.43 inches	10.43 inches

The GTI’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.

The GTI stops much shorter than the Mazda 3:

	GTI	Mazda 3
70 to 0 MPH	150 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GTI has larger standard tires than the Mazda 3 (225/40R18 vs. 205/60R16). The GTI Autobahn’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (235/35R19 vs. 215/45R18).

The GTI’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard 60 series tires. The GTI Autobahn’s tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GTI has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda 3 2.5 S. The GTI Autobahn’s 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 Volkswagen GTI 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 GTI has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the GTI flat and controlled during cornering. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The GTI offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GTI 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.

The GTI handles at .96 G’s, while the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GTI executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.1 seconds quicker than the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD (25 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Chassis

The GTI is 6.8 inches shorter than the Mazda 3 Sedan, making the GTI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The GTI has .5 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mazda 3 Sedan.

Cargo Capacity

The GTI has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the Mazda 3 Sedan (19.9 vs. 13.2 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the GTI’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. The Mazda 3’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge (except wagon).

Ergonomics

The GTI (except S)’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GTI’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Mazda 3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the GTI and the Mazda 3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GTI 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the GTI 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.

Consumer Reports rated the GTI’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Mazda 3’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The GTI’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 GTI has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo. The GTI Autobahn 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.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the GTI (except S) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The GTI 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.

Both the GTI and the Mazda 3 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the GTI 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen GTI has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Mazda 3.

The GTI Autobahn’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The GTI was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 16 of the last 16 years. The Mazda 3 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the GTI as their 2015 Car of the Year. The Mazda 3 has never been chosen.

The GTI was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 5 of the last 15 years. The Mazda 3 has never been an “All Star.”