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Mazda 3 Hatchback vs Subaru Forester comparison

Compare performance (186 HP vs 136 HP), boot space and price (24,500 £ vs 34,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda 3 Hatchback or Subaru Forester?

Mazda 3 Hatchback vs Subaru Forester: Key differences

Mazda 3 Hatchback

  • clearly cheaper
  • visibly more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • a bit lighter
details

Subaru Forester

4.4 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly 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

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

3 Hatchback

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Mazda 3 Hatchback is clearly cheaper – starting at 24,500 £ , while the Subaru Forester costs 34,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 10,157 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mazda 3 Hatchback uses 5.6 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Subaru Forester with 8.1 L/100km. The difference is about 2.5 L/100km.

Forester

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Mazda 3 Hatchback offers visibly more power – delivering 186 HP compared to 136 HP. That’s roughly 50 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mazda 3 Hatchback is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 8 s, while the Subaru Forester takes 12.2 s. That’s about 4.2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mazda 3 Hatchback delivers clearly more torque with 240 Nm compared to 182 Nm. That’s about 58 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.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Mazda 3 Hatchback is a bit lighter – 1,419 kg compared to 1,693 kg. The difference is around 274 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Subaru Forester offers clearly more boot space – 508 L compared to 351 L. That’s a difference of about 157 L.

When it comes to payload, the Subaru Forester carries barely more – 492 kg compared to 485 kg. That’s a difference of about 7 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mazda 3 Hatchback 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 £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
details

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Mazda 3 Hatchback
Subaru Forester

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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Reviews Mazda 3 Hatchback

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a practical all-rounder that quietly does everything right, with roomy comfort, excellent visibility and a real fondness for weekend adventures off the beaten path. It won't set your pulse racing like a sports car, but for buyers who prize reliability, safety and sensible charm, it's a brilliantly steady companion with a cheeky streak.

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Reviews Subaru Forester

4.4 (4 Reviews)
rate
Dirk
8 Dec 2025, 17:00:06

It's indeed much more expensive, but it drives brilliantly. I have the automatic — fantastic. It's a bit noisy for such an expensive car, and servicing at a Subaru dealer isn't cheap. It's certainly not economical.

On the other hand, very little breaks and it will never leave you stranded. And that space... 500 litres more is really about a 40% increase.

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Mazda 3 Hatchback
Subaru Forester

Costs and Consumption
Price
24,500 - 35,500 £
Price
34,700 - 42,200 £
Consumption L/100km
5.6 - 6.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
8.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
126 - 146 g/km
co2
183 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,419 - 1,549 kg
Curb weight
1,693 - 1,739 kg
Trunk capacity
351 L
Trunk capacity
508 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,795 mm
Width
1,830 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
470 - 485 kg
Payload
446 - 492 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
CVT
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
140 - 186 HP
Power HP
136 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8 - 9.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
12.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
238 - 240 Nm
Torque
182 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
103 - 137 kW
Power kW
100 kW
Engine capacity
1,998 - 2,488 cm3
Engine capacity
1,995 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
Mazda
Brand
Subaru
What drive types are available for the Mazda 3 Hatchback?

Available configurations include Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

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.