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Mazda 3 Hatchback vs VW Polo comparison

Compare performance (186 HP vs 207 HP), boot space and price (24,500 £ vs 17,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda 3 Hatchback or VW Polo?

Mazda 3 Hatchback vs VW Polo: Key differences

Mazda 3 Hatchback

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VW Polo

4.1 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably cheaper
  • somewhat more power
  • only slightly more efficient
  • visibly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • markedly 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.

VW Polo is considerably cheaper – starting at 17,300 £ , while the Mazda 3 Hatchback costs 24,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 7,290 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Polo uses 5.1 L/100km and is only slightly more efficient than the Mazda 3 Hatchback with 5.6 L/100km. The difference is about 0.5 L/100km.

Polo

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 VW Polo offers somewhat more power – delivering 207 HP compared to 186 HP. That’s roughly 21 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Polo is visibly quicker – completing the sprint in 6.5 s, while the Mazda 3 Hatchback takes 8 s. That’s about 1.5 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Polo delivers visibly more torque with 320 Nm compared to 240 Nm. That’s about 80 Nm more.

3 Hatchback

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Polo is markedly lighter – 1,143 kg compared to 1,419 kg. The difference is around 276 kg.

Boot capacity is identical – both offer 351 L of storage.

When it comes to payload, the Mazda 3 Hatchback carries barely more – 485 kg compared to 457 kg. That’s a difference of about 28 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Polo 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 £17,300
Polo

VW Polo

  • Engine Type : Petrol
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 80 - 207 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 5.1 - 6.5 L/100km
Mazda 3 Hatchback
VW Polo

Costs and Consumption

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Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

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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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VW Polo

The Polo is a small car with surprisingly grown-up refinement, delivering comfortable packaging, crisp handling and a build quality that punches above its class. For buyers who want a practical, fuss-free hatch that still feels a little premium, it’s a sensible, slightly cheeky choice you’ll enjoy every day.

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Mazda 3 Hatchback
VW Polo

Costs and Consumption

Price
24,500 - 35,500 £
Price
17,300 - 30,800 £
Consumption L/100km
5.6 - 6.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
5.1 - 6.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
126 - 146 g/km
co2
116 - 148 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,419 - 1,549 kg
Curb weight
1,143 - 1,378 kg
Trunk capacity
351 L
Trunk capacity
351 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,795 mm
Width
1,751 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
470 - 485 kg
Payload
432 - 457 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
140 - 186 HP
Power HP
80 - 207 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8 - 9.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 15.6 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
238 - 240 Nm
Torque
93 - 320 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
103 - 137 kW
Power kW
59 - 152 kW
Engine capacity
1,998 - 2,488 cm3
Engine capacity
999 - 1,984 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
Brand
Mazda
Brand
VW
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.