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Mazda 2 vs Mazda 3 Sedan comparison

Compare performance (115 HP vs 186 HP), boot space and price (14,200 £ vs 25,000 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda 2 or Mazda 3 Sedan?

Mazda 2 vs Mazda 3 Sedan: Key differences

Mazda 2

3.7 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially cheaper
  • somewhat more efficient
  • noticeably lighter
details

Mazda 3 Sedan

4.7 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly more power
  • a bit quicker 0–100 km/h
  • noticeably more trunk space
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

2

Overview: Mazda 2 and Mazda 3 Sedan face off

Mazda 2 VS Mazda 3 Sedan frames a classic intra-brand choice: a light, city-savvy hatch against an upmarket compact saloon. The Mazda 2 arrives as the economical, nimble option that makes town driving and tight parking feel effortless, while the Mazda 3 Sedan aims for a more composed, premium presence and greater luggage practicality. Both reward drivers who value steering feel and tactile controls, but they deliver those pleasures in different ways — one by being light and direct, the other by adding substance and stability. Read on for how those philosophies play out in everyday life and which buyer each really suits.

3 Sedan

Character and driving feel

The Mazda 2 drives like a small, eager companion: light weight, a short‑throw gearbox and snappy steering make it lively on urban streets and twisty country lanes. The Mazda 3 Sedan feels more grown-up — heavier, planted and more confident at speed, with a gearbox and engine combination that pulls better for overtakes and motorway cruising. That means the Mazda 2 rewards revs and enthusiasm but can feel underpowered on long climbs, whereas the Mazda 3 gives you reserve power and composure when you need it. The trade-off is clear: choose analogue agility with the Mazda 2 or choose composed authority with the Mazda 3 Sedan.

2

Comfort and long-distance behavior

On long runs the Mazda 3 Sedan feels the more assured companion thanks to its roomier boot and generally more substantial damping, so highway miles are less tiring and the cabin feels more settled at speed. The Mazda 2 remains competent but reveals its small‑car roots: firmer suspension and lighter mass mean more feedback — enjoyable for some, fatiguing for others over extended motorway stints. Noise and refinement favor the Mazda 3 Sedan at higher speeds, though neither is class‑leading in absolute quiet; wheel choice and road surface will quickly show the difference. If long trips are a common part of your life, the Mazda 3 Sedan leans toward comfort, while the Mazda 2 keeps things brisk and economical for shorter hops.

City friendliness and everyday practicality

In town the Mazda 2’s compact footprint and direct steering make manoeuvres, parking and navigating tight streets simple — it’s the better companion for dense city life. The Mazda 3 Sedan, while still relatively easy to place, trades some of that nimbleness for a larger boot and a more imposing presence, but practical annoyances — a high loading lip and a narrow trunk opening — blunt its luggage advantage in daily use. Rear-seat space is limited in both cars, yet the Mazda 3 Sedan offers a fractionally more usable rear bench; the Mazda 2’s tighter rear and fiddly cargo aperture mean families with frequent rear passengers or bulky gear will notice. Practically, the Mazda 2 excels at urban convenience, the Mazda 3 Sedan at straight‑line luggage capacity, albeit with compromises when loading.

Cabin feel, perceived quality and tech

The Mazda 3 Sedan sets a higher bar for interior haptics: materials, switchgear and the general finish feel nearly premium and give the cabin a grown‑up ambience. The Mazda 2 surprises for its class with a tidy, ergonomic front row and a driver‑centred layout, but it still shows more hard plastics and a dated infotainment feel when compared side‑by‑side. Both favour a rotary controller over full touchscreen fiddling, which keeps attention on the road, but the Mazda 3 Sedan’s presentation and options list make the cabin feel more luxurious. In short: Mazda 2 is honest and functional up front; Mazda 3 Sedan is more refined and reassuringly solid throughout.

Buyer fit: who should pick which car

If you live in the city, value low running costs and enjoy a lively manual gearbox, the Mazda 2 is the smarter, cheaper companion that keeps everyday life simple and efficient. If you want a more substantial feel, better materials, larger luggage and regular motorway miles, the Mazda 3 Sedan suits drivers who prioritise comfort and perceived quality over absolute urban agility. The trade-offs are price, power and space versus manoeuvrability and economy: the Mazda 2 saves money and thrills in tight spaces, the Mazda 3 Sedan delivers presence, luggage room and composure. Use those preferences to guide the technical deep‑dive that follows — the numbers will explain why each car behaves the way it does, but your lifestyle decides which compromises are acceptable.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

2

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Mazda 2 is substantially cheaper – starting at 14,200 £ , while the Mazda 3 Sedan costs 25,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 10,757 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mazda 2 uses 4.7 L/100km and is somewhat more efficient than the Mazda 3 Sedan with 5.5 L/100km. The difference is about 0.8 L/100km.

3 Sedan

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Mazda 3 Sedan offers clearly more power – delivering 186 HP compared to 115 HP. That’s roughly 71 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mazda 3 Sedan is a bit quicker – completing the sprint in 8.1 s, while the Mazda 2 takes 9.1 s. That’s about 1 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mazda 3 Sedan delivers markedly more torque with 240 Nm compared to 151 Nm. That’s about 89 Nm more.

2

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Mazda 2 is noticeably lighter – 1,099 kg compared to 1,420 kg. The difference is around 321 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mazda 3 Sedan offers noticeably more boot space – 450 L compared to 280 L. That’s a difference of about 170 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mazda 3 Sedan carries very slightly more – 481 kg compared to 437 kg. That’s a difference of about 44 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mazda 3 Sedan stands well ahead of its rival in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £25,000
3 Sedan

Mazda 3 Sedan

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 140 - 186 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 5.5 - 6.1 L/100km
Mazda 2
Mazda 3 Sedan

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Mazda 2

The Mazda 2 is a pocket-sized charmer that makes city driving feel light and lively, wrapped in sleek styling that looks right at home on trendy streets. Buyers who want an economical, fun-to-drive hatch with surprisingly grown-up cabin quality will find it hard to resist — it’s the kind of everyday companion that puts a grin on your face every time you head out.

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Mazda 3 Sedan

The Mazda 3 Sedan dresses like a compact premium car, with sculpted lines and an interior that punches well above its class. It rewards drivers with eager handling and a composed, comfortable ride that turns routine runs into something a bit more enjoyable — proof that style and substance can share the same key.

details
Mazda 2
Mazda 3 Sedan

Costs and Consumption

Price
14,200 - 21,700 £
Price
25,000 - 34,200 £
Consumption L/100km
4.7 - 5.4 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
5.5 - 6.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
107 - 122 g/km
co2
123 - 135 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
44 L
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Sedan
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,099 - 1,120 kg
Curb weight
1,420 - 1,492 kg
Trunk capacity
280 L
Trunk capacity
450 L
Length
4,080 mm
Length
-
Width
1,695 mm
Width
1,795 mm
Height
1,515 mm
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
950 L
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
420 - 437 kg
Payload
467 - 481 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
75 - 115 HP
Power HP
140 - 186 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 12.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.1 - 9.8 s
Max Speed
171 - 200 km/h
Max Speed
-
Torque
143 - 151 Nm
Torque
238 - 240 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
55 - 85 kW
Power kW
103 - 137 kW
Engine capacity
1,496 cm3
Engine capacity
1,998 - 2,488 cm3

General

Model Year
2023
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, D
CO2 Efficiency Class
D
Brand
Mazda
Brand
Mazda
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.