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Mazda 3 Hatchback vs VW Golf comparison

Compare performance (186 HP vs 333 HP), boot space and price (24,500 £ vs 25,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda 3 Hatchback or VW Golf?

Mazda 3 Hatchback vs VW Golf: Key differences

Mazda 3 Hatchback

  • marginally cheaper

VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly more power
  • substantially more efficient
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • marginally lighter
  • marginally more trunk space

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 marginally cheaper – starting at 24,500 £ , while the VW Golf costs 25,200 £ . That’s a price difference of around 647 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Golf uses 1.1 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Mazda 3 Hatchback with 5.6 L/100km. The difference is about 4.5 L/100km.

Golf

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 VW Golf offers clearly more power – delivering 333 HP compared to 186 HP. That’s roughly 147 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Golf is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.6 s, while the Mazda 3 Hatchback takes 8 s. That’s about 3.4 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Golf delivers significantly more torque with 420 Nm compared to 240 Nm. That’s about 180 Nm more.

3 Hatchback

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, VW Golf is marginally lighter – 1,307 kg compared to 1,419 kg. The difference is around 112 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf offers marginally more boot space – 381 L compared to 351 L. That’s a difference of about 30 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf carries barely more – 508 kg compared to 485 kg. That’s a difference of about 23 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Golf is decisively ahead 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 £25,200
Golf

VW Golf

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 333 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 8.1 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 131 - 143 km
details

Frequently compared as well

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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.

VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

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Reviews VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate

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

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Mazda 3 Hatchback
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption
Price
24,500 - 35,500 £
Price
25,200 - 47,600 £
Consumption L/100km
5.6 - 6.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 8.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
co2
126 - 146 g/km
co2
25 - 184 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 55 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,419 - 1,549 kg
Curb weight
1,307 - 1,662 kg
Trunk capacity
351 L
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Length
-
Length
4,282 - 4,296 mm
Width
1,795 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
-
Height
1,454 - 1,483 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1,129 - 1,237 L
Payload
470 - 485 kg
Payload
438 - 508 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
140 - 186 HP
Power HP
116 - 333 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8 - 9.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
203 - 270 km/h
Torque
238 - 240 Nm
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
103 - 137 kW
Power kW
85 - 245 kW
Engine capacity
1,998 - 2,488 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, G, C, B
Brand
Mazda
Brand
VW
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.