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Mazda 3 Sedan vs VW Golf Variant comparison

Compare performance (186 HP vs 333 HP), boot space and price (25,000 £ vs 26,100 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda 3 Sedan or VW Golf Variant?

Mazda 3 Sedan vs VW Golf Variant: Key differences

Mazda 3 Sedan

4.7 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • very slightly cheaper

VW Golf Variant

  • substantially more power
  • visibly more efficient
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • marginally lighter
  • markedly more trunk space

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

3 Sedan

Costs and Efficiency:

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

Mazda 3 Sedan is very slightly cheaper – starting at 25,000 £ , while the VW Golf Variant costs 26,100 £ . That’s a price difference of around 1,161 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Golf Variant uses 4.3 L/100km and is visibly more efficient than the Mazda 3 Sedan with 5.5 L/100km. The difference is about 1.2 L/100km.

Golf Variant

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 Golf Variant offers substantially 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 Variant is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.8 s, while the Mazda 3 Sedan takes 8.1 s. That’s about 3.3 s quicker.

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

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, VW Golf Variant is marginally lighter – 1,366 kg compared to 1,420 kg. The difference is around 54 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf Variant offers markedly more boot space – 611 L compared to 450 L. That’s a difference of about 161 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf Variant carries slightly more – 547 kg compared to 481 kg. That’s a difference of about 66 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Golf Variant is far ahead 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 £26,100
Golf Variant

VW Golf Variant

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 333 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 4.3 - 8.2 L/100km
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

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.

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Reviews Mazda 3 Sedan

4.7 (1 Reviews)
rate

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

VW Golf Variant

The Golf Estate packs Volkswagen's familiar poise into a practical, grown-up estate that quietly makes everyday life easier without shouting for attention. It's clever, comfortable and roomy enough for weekend kit or family chaos, offering smart packaging and refined manners that make it a sensible and surprisingly stylish choice for buyers who need space but don't want a van.

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Reviews VW Golf Variant

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Costs and Consumption
Price
25,000 - 34,200 £
Price
26,100 - 48,700 £
Consumption L/100km
5.5 - 6.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 8.2 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
123 - 135 g/km
co2
114 - 185 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
45 - 55 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,420 - 1,492 kg
Curb weight
1,366 - 1,621 kg
Trunk capacity
450 L
Trunk capacity
611 L
Length
-
Length
4,631 - 4,651 mm
Width
1,795 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
-
Height
1,462 - 1,487 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1,624 - 1,642 L
Payload
467 - 481 kg
Payload
489 - 547 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
140 - 186 HP
Power HP
116 - 333 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.1 - 9.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.8 - 10.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
203 - 250 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
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, G, F, C
Brand
Mazda
Brand
VW
What drivetrain options does the Mazda 3 Sedan have?

The Mazda 3 Sedan is offered with Front-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.