Price
Winner: 2021 Mazda CX-3
The price of the 2021 Mazda CX-3 starts at $20,640, which is slightly below average for a subcompact SUV. Although the 2021 CX-3 only comes in one trim, drivers who add the i-Active all-wheel-drive system will see an increased base price of $22,040.
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has a starting MSRP of $25,270, which is above average for the class – and about 22% higher than the CX-3’s base MSRP. The CX-5 is offered in six trims, so drivers can choose a personal favorite fit. The range-topping Signature model starts at $37,405.
Seat Comfort
Winner: 2021 Mazda CX-5
The 2021 CX-3 seats five. The front seats, while a bit snug, have enough space for tall adults to sit comfortably with enough head- and legroom. However, the back row is cramped for most adults – especially as far as headroom goes.
The 2021 CX-5 also seats five, and at least four of the seats are spacious enough for adults. The CX-5 has ample headroom in both rows, even with the moonroof. The legroom in the back is comfortable enough for shorter trips, but the front seats are much more comfortable and supportive. The driver’s seat features an especially commanding position with good visibility.
Interior Quality
Winner: 2021 Mazda CX-5
Both of these Mazdas sport upscale cabins. The 2021 CX-5 has a cabin that feels quite luxurious, surrounding its passengers in high-end materials. In higher-end models, you'll even find real wood trim and Nappa leather upholstery. Few competing crossovers offer these types of upscale details that give the CX-5 its luxe factor.
As for the 2021 CX-3, motorists will find a sporty look with a rich cosmopolitan aesthetic. Built with quality, the CX-3’s superb cabin features many high-end materials and soft-touch details. The CX-3's interior offers a modern-luxe vibe, but is still more cramped when compared to the CX-5.
Interior Technology
Winner: 2021 Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 saw a new tech update for the 2021 model, which now comes standard with a 10.25-inch touch screen – a big upgrade from last year’s 7-inch version. Other standard features include a Wi-Fi hot spot, HD Radio, Bluetooth, two USB ports, four speakers, Mazda Connected Services, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The new setup is intended to alleviate concerns over the old system’s outdated graphics and laggy response times. Ultimately, the 2021 CX-5 has more standard features than the CX-3 – though the CX-3 has more speakers.
As for the CX-3, it features the Mazda Connect infotainment system and comes standard with a 7-inch touch screen, one USB port, voice recognition, six speakers, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth.
In addition to the responsive touch screens, both Mazdas have a center rotary knob to control the center console.
Cargo Space
Winner: 2021 Mazda CX-5
Although the 2021 Mazda CX-5 has a rather low amount of cargo space when compared to other compact SUVs, it still offers more than its smaller sibling. With the back seats folded, the CX-5 can fit up to 60 cubic feet of cargo, and about 31 cubic feet behind the second row.
The 2021 CX-3 can store 42.7 cubic feet in total, and 17.8 cubic feet behind the second row. As is typical for a Mazda, the cargo hauling department is not a strong suit for the CX-3.
Acceleration
Winner: 2021 Mazda CX-5
The 2021 Mazda CX-3 features a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. This little engine is not overly powerful, but it is strong enough to speed up and merge onto the highway without issue. However, passing other vehicles on the freeway is another story, and this engine will start to sound off and get noisy.
Inside the CX-5, motorists will find a 187-horsepower naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, which offers a peppy acceleration from a full stop. Drivers looking for more can check out the available turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces 227-250 horsepower depending on whether you fuel up with regular or premium gas.
Ride and Handling
Winner: 2021 Mazda CX-5
Both of these Mazdas offer on-brand maneuverability, and enthusiasts will enjoy driving either vehicle on winding back roads.
The 2021 CX-5 features responsive steering and an overall fun driving experience, offering a planted feeling around corners – especially in the all-wheel-drive models. Its comfortable ride is in line with the vehicle's upscale feel.
The 2021 CX-3 sports some of the most agile handling in its class. It features sharp, receptive steering and powerful brakes that provide a comfortable-yet-exciting driving experience around corners. However, the suspension doesn’t hide all the bumps in the road.
Reliability
Winner: 2021 Mazda CX-5
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has an average predicted reliability rating, while the 2021 CX-3 has below-average predicted reliability.
Both Mazdas are covered with a three-year/36,000 basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Safety
Winner: 2021 Mazda CX-5
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 earned an overall safety rating of five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in the side and front crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the CX-5 its highest rating of Good in all six crash tests, and the second-highest rating of Acceptable for headlight illumination in the standard Touring trim.
The CX-3 also earned five out of five stars for overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in the front and side tests and four in the rollover. However, this SUV’s door panel struck the rear passenger-side occupant area in one side crash test – enough to cause injury. The IIHS gave the CX-3 a Good score in their six crash tests, as well as an Acceptable rating for its headlights.
Safety Features
Winner: 2021 Mazda CX-5
The CX-3 offers 12 standard advanced safety features and the CX-5 offers 11. However, the CX-5 has a much longer list of available advanced safety features.
The CX-3 comes standard with stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a rearview camera, adaptive LED headlights, automatic high-beam headlights, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, day and night pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Rear parking sensors are the only optional feature.
The 2021 CX-5 comes standard with rain-sensing windshield wipers, a rearview camera, automatic high-beams, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control.
Advanced safety features available in the CX-5 include adaptive headlights, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view parking camera system, driver attention monitoring, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a head-up display.
For a detailed explanation of the above features, take a look at our guide to advanced driver-assistance features.
The Winner Is …
2021 Mazda CX-5
At the end of the day, choosing the best small crossover SUV for you comes down to your personal top priorities. Both of these Mazdas deliver the performance expected of the brand: a fun-to-drive and sporty ute with an impressively upscale cabin. That said, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 came out on top in nearly every category and boasts a superior U.S. News overall score compared to the CX-3.
Both Mazda SUVs score high in the technology department, especially with the CX-5's tech and safety feature upgrades for the 2021 model year.
The CX-5 also provides more comfort in the departments of seat space and cargo area compared to its smaller subcompact sibling. The 2021 CX-3 may still take the win for drivers looking for a more economical SUV with a smaller footprint.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Motorists can learn more about the Mazda CX-3 and CX-5 in our individual vehicle reviews. You can also use your vehicle comparison tool to see how they stack up to your other favorite compact and subcompact SUVs from our SUV rankings list.
You can save on your new vehicle acquisition by perusing our new car deals page and new car lease deals page. There, we've compiled a list of all the best incentives manufacturers are currently offering.
Before you make the final call, check out our U.S. News Best Price Program to find a dealership in your region offering the lowest prenegotiated deals. Drivers who used our program saved an average of $3,000 compared to MSRP.
2021 Mazda CX-3 vs. 2021 Mazda CX-5: Worth the Upgrade?
- Price: 2021 Mazda CX-3
- Seat Comfort: 2021 Mazda CX-5
- Interior Quality: 2021 Mazda CX-5
- Interior Technology: 2021 Mazda CX-5
- Cargo Space: 2021 Mazda CX-5
- Acceleration: 2021 Mazda CX-5
- Fuel Economy: 2021 Mazda CX-3
- Ride and Handling: 2021 Mazda CX-5
- Reliability: 2021 Mazda CX-5
- Safety: 2021 Mazda CX-5
- Safety Features: 2021 Mazda CX-5
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CX-3 vs. CX-5: Which Is Better?
The 2021 CX-5 is the top-selling Mazda vehicle, and might be a top choice for motorists in the market for a compact SUV – but is it really that much better than its subcompact sibling, the 2021 CX-3?
Both of these SUVs get good gas mileage and offer great agility in their respective segments. They're also fairly reliable, very safe, and offer upscale interiors.
The Mazda CX-5 came to market in the 2013 model year and was fully redesigned in 2017. The 2021 model year saw notable upgrades to the standard tech and safety features included, such as a larger touch screen and smartphone integration. This impressive compact SUV is ranked No. 2 among compact SUVs, crossover SUVs, and SUVs with two rows.
The CX-3 came to market for the 2016 model year and has seen a number of additions, including upgrades to some of its safety systems for the 2021 model. Even though it's smaller, the CX-3 still features Mazda's incredibly fun driving dynamics and upscale interior. The 2021 CX-3 is ranked No. 9 out of 20 subcompact SUVs. Being the smallest ute in Mazda's lineup, the CX-3 is a worthy contender for drivers prioritizing value, practicality, and fun.
Keep in mind that our rankings and reviews are constantly changing as new data becomes available. As a result, the information in this article may not reflect our most up-to-date rankings and reviews.
Read on to learn how these similar SUV siblings differ, and whether it's worth the upgrade from the CX-3 to the larger CX-5.