2021 Audi RS vs 2021 Mazda CX-3
The Mazda CX-3 wins clearly, 85.1 to 72.5, on safety, fuel & range. The Audi RS is ahead on performance. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 3.9 and it flips.
2021 Audi RS
The 2021 Audi RS is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact wagon with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RS 5 Sportback, is EPA-r…
2021 Mazda CX-3
The 2021 Mazda CX-3 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact wagon with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CX-3 2WD, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg…
2021 Mazda CX-3
Clear winThe Mazda CX-3 wins clearly, 85.1 to 72.5, on safety, fuel & range. The Audi RS is ahead on performance. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 3.9 and it flips.
| Category · weight | 2021 Mazda CX-3overall 85.1 | 2021 Audi RSoverall 72.5 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 59.3 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 96.4 | 54.8 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 25 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 85.1 | 72.5 | ||||||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 4 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Mazda CX-3 and Audi RS
Mazda CX-3: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available) · Audi RS: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available). Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Raise the performance weight from 2 to 3.9 and the answer flips.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2021 Mazda CX-3 wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (4 against 10 filed with NHTSA).
- It has 10 standard driver assists filed with NHTSA against 6.
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 58).
Where the 2021 Audi RS answers
- It makes 591 hp against 148.
What they share
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
specs not availableSafety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPMazda CX-3
Top recalls
- moderate Back Over Prevention 23V487000 · 236,100 vehicles · filed unfixed
Audi RS
Top recalls
- high Electrical System 22V861000 · 50,883 vehicles
- high Seat Belts 21V606000 · 45,496 vehicles
- high Engine 21V339000 · 15 vehicles
- high Suspension 21V295000 · 40,993 vehicles
- high Air Bags 21V159000 · 3,421 vehicles
- high Electrical System 20V749000 · 166 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mazda CX-3 | Audi RS | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | — |
| Price range across trims | — | — |
| Powertrains | GAS | HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | CX-3 2WD | RS 5 Sportback |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 31 | 21 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,150 | $3,900 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2021 Mazda CX-3 or the 2021 Audi RS?
The Mazda CX-3 wins clearly, 85.1 to 72.5, on safety, fuel & range. The Audi RS is ahead on performance. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 3.9 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2021 Mazda CX-3 scores 85.1 and the 2021 Audi RS 72.5. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2021 Mazda CX-3 or the 2021 Audi RS?
2021 Mazda CX-3: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall (1 filed with no repair available). 2021 Audi RS: no NHTSA rating yet, grade F, 13 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2021 Mazda CX-3 and the 2021 Audi RS?
Where the 2021 Mazda CX-3 wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (4 against 10 filed with NHTSA), has 10 standard driver assists filed with NHTSA against 6, and has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 58). Where the 2021 Audi RS answers: it makes 591 hp against 148. What they share: 5 seats.