2021 Lexus UX vs 2021 Mazda CX-3
The Lexus UX edges it, 97.1 to 91.7, on fuel & range. The Mazda CX-3 is ahead on safety and performance.
2021 Lexus UX
The 2021 Lexus UX is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact wagon with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the UX 250h, is EPA-rated a…
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 Lexus UX
Slight edgeThe Lexus UX edges it, 97.1 to 91.7, on fuel & range. The Mazda CX-3 is ahead on safety and performance.
| Category · weight | 2021 Mazda CX-3overall 91.7 | 2021 Lexus UXoverall 97.1 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 74.2 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 96.6 | 93.8 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 100 | 96.6 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 91.7 | 97.1 | |||||||||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 4 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Mazda CX-3 and Lexus UX
Mazda CX-3: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available) · Lexus UX: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available). Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2021 Lexus UX wins
- It is rated 42 combined against 31 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $550 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,600 against $2,150).
- It has 11 standard driver assists filed with NHTSA against 10.
Where the 2021 Mazda CX-3 answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (4 against 8 filed with NHTSA).
- It makes 148 hp against 143.
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 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
Lexus UX
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mazda CX-3 | Lexus UX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | — |
| Price range across trims | — | — |
| Powertrains | GAS | HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | CX-3 2WD | UX 250h |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 31 | 42 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,150 | $1,600 |
| 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 Lexus UX?
The Lexus UX edges it, 97.1 to 91.7, on fuel & range. The Mazda CX-3 is ahead on safety and performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2021 Lexus UX scores 97.1 and the 2021 Mazda CX-3 91.7. 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 Lexus UX?
2021 Mazda CX-3: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall (1 filed with no repair available). 2021 Lexus UX: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 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 Lexus UX?
Where the 2021 Lexus UX wins: it is rated 42 combined against 31 (EPA mpg or MPGe), costs $550 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,600 against $2,150), and has 11 standard driver assists filed with NHTSA against 10. Where the 2021 Mazda CX-3 answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (4 against 8 filed with NHTSA) and makes 148 hp against 143. What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 5 seats.