The Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 84.6 to 72.2, on fuel & range. The Mazda Mazda3 is ahead on safety.
Fuel & range 2025 Tesla Model 3 leads by 75.4
Safety 2025 Mazda Mazda3 leads by 28.6
Category · weight
2025 Mazda Mazda3overall 72.2
2025 Tesla Model 3overall 84.6
Pricenot compared
Specs not available
Specs not available
Fuel & rangew 3
24.6
100
Metric
Mazda Mazda3
Tesla Model 3
EPA annual fuel cost (lower is better)
$2,150 25.6
$550 100
Combined mpg / MPGe (higher is better)
31 mpg 22.6
137 mpg 100
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric.
Safetyw 4
94
65.4
Metric
Mazda Mazda3
Tesla Model 3
Safety Signal (recalls) (absolute)
92 /100 92
85 /100 85
Owner complaints filed (lower is better)
8 100
124 6.5
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
Metric
Mazda Mazda3
Tesla Model 3
Seats (higher is better)
5 100
5 100
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom.
Performancenot compared
Specs not available
Specs not available
Tech & comfortnot compared
Specs not available
Specs not available
Warrantynot compared
Specs not available
Specs not available
Overall
72.2
84.6
Safety-only comparison · 3 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Tesla Model 3
Mazda Mazda3: base trim 2.5 S FWD · Tesla Model 3: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available). Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbers
Where the 2025 Tesla Model 3 wins
It is rated 137 combined against 31 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
It costs $1,600 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $2,150).
Where the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 answers
It has drawn fewer owner complaints (8 against 124 filed with NHTSA).
It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 92 against 85).
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
46 specs · manufacturer press kits
Spec
Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD
Tesla Model 3
Engine Basics
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
—
Cylinder count
4
—
Engine displacement
2,488 cc
—
Engine type (full description)
SKYACTIV-G 2.5L DOHC with Cylinder Deactivation
—
Fuel injection system
gdi mpi
—
Valve configuration
4 valves per cylinder, Variable-Valve Timing
—
Engine Output
Horsepower
191 hp
—
Torque
186 lb-ft
—
Fuel Economy
MPG (city)
27 mpg
—
MPG (combined)
31 mpg
—
MPG (highway)
37 mpg
—
Transmission
Final drive ratio
3.422
—
Transmission speeds
6
—
Transmission type
SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed AT
—
Dimensions Exterior
Ground clearance
5.5 in
—
Overall height
56.9 in
—
Overall length
184 in
—
Overall width
70.7 in
—
Wheelbase
107 in
—
Cargo
Cargo volume behind 2nd row
13.2 cu-ft
—
Total interior volume
92.8 cu-ft
—
Seating
Passenger seating capacity
5
—
Headroom
Front headroom
38 in
—
Third-row headroom
37.3 in
—
Legroom
Front legroom
42.3 in
—
Third-row legroom
35.1 in
—
Weights
Curb weight (maximum)
3,124 lbs
—
Curb weight (minimum)
3,124 lbs
—
Suspension
Front suspension type
Independent MacPherson strut
—
Rear suspension type
Torsion Beam Axle
—
Steering
Steering type
Rack-and-pinion
—
Turning radius (curb-to-curb)
17.4 ft
—
Brakes
Front brake diameter
280 mm
—
Front brake type
ventilated disc
—
Parking brake type
epb
—
Rear brake diameter
265 mm
—
Rear brake type
solid disc
—
Wheels
Wheel diameter
16 in
—
Wheel material
alloy
—
Wheel width
6.5 in
—
Tires
Tire size
205/60R16 M+S
—
Fuel System
Fuel tank capacity
13.2 gal
—
Minimum recommended octane
87
—
Connected Services
Connected services brand
Mazda Connect
—
Shoulder Room
Front shoulder room
55.7 in
—
Third-row shoulder room
53.5 in
—
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
87 features · differences first, then shared
Safety24 differ · 24 listed
Feature
Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD
Tesla Model 3
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with stop and go function
std
—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
std
—
Advanced dual front air bags
std
—
Lane Departure Warning System
std
—
Lane Keep Assist
std
—
Rearview camera
std
—
Side impact air curtains (front and rear) with roll-over protection
std
—
Side-impact air bags - front & rear
std
—
Driver Attention Alert
std
—
3-point safety belts for all seating positions
std
—
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
std
—
Blind Spot Monitoring
std
—
Child safety rear door locks
std
—
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS)
std
—
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS)
std
—
Front & Rear safety-belt pretensioners with force limiters
Seat belt warning/reminder for driver, front passenger and rear passengers
std
—
Smart Brake Support with pedestrian detection (SBS)
std
—
Engine immobilizer anti-theft system
std
—
Tire pressure monitoring system - individual- (TPMS)
std
—
Infotainment9 differ · 9 listed
Feature
Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD
Tesla Model 3
MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System - Mazda Connect Wi-Fi (In vehicle Wi-Fi 2GB/3 month free trial provided by AT&T)
std
—
6-speaker audio system with Mazda Harmonic Acoustics
std
—
8.8" full-color center display
std
—
AM/FM/Radio
std
—
Apple CarPlay™ / Android Auto™ integration
std
—
MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System
std
—
Multi-function Commander control
std
—
Steering wheel-mounted audio, phone and cruise controls
std
—
USB Type-C Audio Inputs (2 ports)
std
—
Convenience6 differ · 6 listed
Feature
Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD
Tesla Model 3
Push button start
std
—
Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls
std
—
Illuminated entry system
std
—
Power door locks - speed sensitive with 2-stage unlocking
std
—
Power windows with one-touch down/up feature (4)
std
—
Remote keyless entry system
std
—
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
Feature
Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD
Tesla Model 3
Air conditioning - manual
std
—
Seating5 differ · 5 listed
Feature
Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD
Tesla Model 3
6-way manual adjustable driver's seat with seat lifter
std
—
4-way manual adjustable front passenger seat
std
—
60/40 split one-touch fold-down and reclining rear seatback
std
—
Headrests - height-adjustable, front & rear (3 passenger seats)
std
—
Seat material - cloth (black)
std
—
Interior15 differ · 15 listed
Feature
Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD
Tesla Model 3
7-inch LCD meter display
std
—
Assist handles - (4)
std
—
Cargo area light (LED)
std
—
Gear selector - urethane
std
—
Map lights (LED)
std
—
Steering wheel - tilt & telescopic
std
—
Steering wheel - urethane
std
—
Storage - center console armrest with covered storage compartments
std
—
Storage - cup holders, (2) front
std
—
Storage - glove compartment
std
—
Storage, bottle holder, front (2) and rear (2) door panels
std
—
Sun visors - dual covered vanity mirrors and extensions
std
—
Rearview mirror - manual day/night
std
—
Floor mats - carpeted
std
—
Trip computer - Odometer, Trip meter A & B, current and average fuel economy
std
—
Exterior18 differ · 18 listed
Feature
Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD
Tesla Model 3
16 x 6.5J inch aluminum alloy wheels with Silver Metallic Finish
std
—
205/60 R16 all-season tires
std
—
Brake light - center high-mount
std
—
Dual exhaust outlets
std
—
Front grille - matte finish
std
—
Headlights - auto On/Off feature
std
—
Headlights - daytime running lights (LED)
std
—
Headlights - LED
std
—
License plate lamp (LED)
std
—
Rear combination lights
std
—
Rear hatch spoiler - black (Premium Plus Unique- PIO)
std
—
Side garnish - black
std
—
Side mirrors - body-color, dual power remote
std
—
Snowflake White Pearl Mica (exterior color option - Hatchback)
opt
—
Windshield wipers - rear intermittent with washer
std
—
Windshield wipers - variable-intermittent
std
—
Rear window defogger with timer
std
—
T125/70D16 temporary spare tire
std
—
Powertrain3 differ · 3 listed
Feature
Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD
Tesla Model 3
Front Wheel Drive
std
—
SKYACTIV-G® 2.5 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with Cylinder Deactivation
std
—
SKYACTIV®-Drive 6-Speed AT with manual-shift mode and Sport mode
std
—
Chassis5 differ · 5 listed
Feature
Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD
Tesla Model 3
Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)
std
—
Front Suspension - MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
std
—
Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
std
—
Rear Suspension - Torsion Beam
std
—
SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS: G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus)
std
—
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
Feature
Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD
Tesla Model 3
Cargo Cover (hatchback)
std
—
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAP
Mazda Mazda3
Safety Signal92 A
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls1
Owner complaints8 · 2 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutForward Collision Avoidance (2), Unspecified (2), Air Bags (1)
Top recalls
highAir Bags 25V357000 · 171,412 vehicles
Tesla Model 3
Safety Signal85 B
NHTSA overall—
Frontal / side / rollover— / — / —
Recalls3
Owner complaints124 · 27 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutUnspecified (37), Forward Collision Avoidance (35), Steering (27)
Top recalls
highElectrical System 25V690000 · 12,963 vehicles
moderateElectrical System 25V002000 · 239,382 vehicles
minorTires 24V935000 · 696,281 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty
Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD
Tesla Model 3
Price
— (base trim)
—
Price range across trims
— 13 trims
—
Powertrains
GAS
BEV
EPA configuration compared
3 4-Door 2WD
Model 3 Long Range RWD
Combined mpg / MPGe
31
137
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,150
$550
EV range
—
363 mi
Basic warranty
—
—
Powertrain warranty
—
—
Roadside assistance
—
—
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits
Which is better, the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 84.6 to 72.2, on fuel & range. The Mazda Mazda3 is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Tesla Model 3 scores 84.6 and the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 72.2. 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 2025 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
2025 Mazda Mazda3: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 2025 Tesla Model 3: no NHTSA rating yet, grade B, 3 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 2025 Mazda Mazda3 and the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
Where the 2025 Tesla Model 3 wins: it is rated 137 combined against 31 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $1,600 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $2,150). Where the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (8 against 124 filed with NHTSA) and has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 92 against 85). What they share: 5 seats.