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Mazda 3 Hatchback vs Mazda MX-5 Roadster comparison

Compare performance (186 HP vs 132 HP), boot space and price (24,500 £ vs 28,400 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda 3 Hatchback or Mazda MX-5 Roadster?

Mazda 3 Hatchback vs Mazda MX-5 Roadster: Key differences

Mazda 3 Hatchback

  • somewhat cheaper
  • noticeably more power
  • moderately more efficient
  • barely quicker 0–100 km/h
  • substantially more trunk space
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Mazda MX-5 Roadster

  • visibly lighter
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By Achim Sedelmaier

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

3 Hatchback

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Mazda 3 Hatchback is somewhat cheaper – starting at 24,500 £ , while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster costs 28,400 £ . That’s a price difference of around 3,900 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mazda 3 Hatchback uses 5.6 L/100km and is moderately more efficient than the Mazda MX-5 Roadster with 6.2 L/100km. The difference is about 0.6 L/100km.

MX-5 Roadster

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 Hatchback offers noticeably more power – delivering 186 HP compared to 132 HP. That’s roughly 54 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mazda 3 Hatchback is barely quicker – completing the sprint in 8 s, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster takes 8.3 s. That’s about 0.3 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mazda 3 Hatchback delivers clearly more torque with 240 Nm compared to 152 Nm. That’s about 88 Nm more.

3 Hatchback

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Seats: Mazda 3 Hatchback offers more seats – 5 vs 2.

In terms of curb weight, Mazda MX-5 Roadster is visibly lighter – 1,078 kg compared to 1,419 kg. The difference is around 341 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mazda 3 Hatchback offers substantially more boot space – 351 L compared to 130 L. That’s a difference of about 221 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mazda 3 Hatchback carries significantly more – 485 kg compared to 152 kg. That’s a difference of about 333 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mazda 3 Hatchback is clearly superior overall 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 £24,500
3 Hatchback

Mazda 3 Hatchback

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 140 - 186 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 5.6 - 6.5 L/100km
Mazda 3 Hatchback
Mazda MX-5 Roadster

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Mazda 3 Hatchback

The Mazda 3 hatchback blends elegant design with a surprisingly sporty drive, giving a cabin that feels more upscale than you’d expect for the segment. Practical enough for everyday life yet eager to entertain behind the wheel, it’s a smart, good-humored choice that makes even grocery runs feel like a mini escape.

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Mazda MX-5 Roadster

The Mazda MX-5 is a featherweight, open-top sports car that turns ordinary roads into a grin-inducing playground thanks to razor-sharp steering and an engaging, tactile gearbox. It won’t swallow the weekly shopping or ski bags, but for anyone after pure driving fun and sun-on-your-face weekends, few cars match its sheer charm and value.

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Mazda 3 Hatchback
Mazda MX-5 Roadster

Costs and Consumption

Price
24,500 - 35,500 £
Price
28,400 - 33,800 £
Consumption L/100km
5.6 - 6.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
6.2 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
126 - 146 g/km
co2
140 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Roadster
Seats
5
Seats
2
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,419 - 1,549 kg
Curb weight
1,078 kg
Trunk capacity
351 L
Trunk capacity
130 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,795 mm
Width
1,735 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
470 - 485 kg
Payload
152 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Manuel
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
140 - 186 HP
Power HP
132 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8 - 9.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.3 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
238 - 240 Nm
Torque
152 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
103 - 137 kW
Power kW
97 kW
Engine capacity
1,998 - 2,488 cm3
Engine capacity
1,496 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
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.