2021 Mazda CX-3 vs 2021 Volvo V60
The Volvo V60 edges it, 90.6 to 88.1, on performance. The Mazda CX-3 is ahead on fuel & range and safety. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 4.8 and it flips.
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 Volvo V60
The 2021 Volvo V60 is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas compact wagon with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the V60 AWD PHEV, …
2021 Volvo V60
Slight edgeThe Volvo V60 edges it, 90.6 to 88.1, on performance. The Mazda CX-3 is ahead on fuel & range and safety. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 4.8 and it flips.
| Category · weight | 2021 Mazda CX-3overall 88.1 | 2021 Volvo V60overall 90.6 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 84.4 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 94.6 | 85.8 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 45.1 | 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 | 88.1 | 90.6 | |||||||||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 4 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Mazda CX-3 and Volvo V60
Mazda CX-3: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available) · Volvo V60: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available). Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 4.8 and the answer flips.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2021 Volvo V60 wins
- It makes 328 hp against 148.
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (3 against 4 filed with NHTSA).
Where the 2021 Mazda CX-3 answers
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 62).
- It costs $600 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,150 against $2,750).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 10 driver assists filed with NHTSA.
- 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
Volvo V60
Top recalls
- critical Electrical System 25V179000 · 7,483 vehicles
- critical Steering 23V001000 · 74 vehicles
- high Seat Belts 21V682000 · 19,149 vehicles
- high Air Bags 21V001000 · 2,883 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mazda CX-3 | Volvo V60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | — |
| Price range across trims | — | — |
| Powertrains | GAS | PHEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | CX-3 2WD | V60 AWD PHEV |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 31 | 30 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,150 | $2,750 |
| 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 Volvo V60?
The Volvo V60 edges it, 90.6 to 88.1, on performance. The Mazda CX-3 is ahead on fuel & range and safety. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 4.8 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2021 Volvo V60 scores 90.6 and the 2021 Mazda CX-3 88.1. 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 Volvo V60?
2021 Mazda CX-3: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall (1 filed with no repair available). 2021 Volvo V60: 5 NHTSA stars, grade D, 4 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 Volvo V60?
Where the 2021 Volvo V60 wins: it makes 328 hp against 148 and has drawn fewer owner complaints (3 against 4 filed with NHTSA). Where the 2021 Mazda CX-3 answers: it has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 62) and costs $600 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,150 against $2,750). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars, 10 driver assists filed with NHTSA, and 5 seats.