Which is better: 2026 Mazda 3 or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?

It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Mazda 3 vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.

Which costs less: 2026 Mazda 3 or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?

Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Mazda 3 starts lower at $24,550. Live Volkswagen Passat listings start at $8,520.

Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Mazda 3 or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?

The 2026 Mazda 3 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (24,550).

Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Mazda 3 or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?

The 2026 Mazda 3 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (30).

Which has better horsepower: 2026 Mazda 3 or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?

The 2026 Mazda 3 leads on horsepower in this comparison (227).

How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Mazda 3 vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat?

NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Volkswagen Passat (4/5 NHTSA overall).

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Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Passat

Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.

Vehicles

2026 Mazda 3

Trim

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2022 Volkswagen Passat

Trim

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Overview

Spec	Mazda 32.5 S	Volkswagen PassatSE
Selected trim	2.5 S	SE
Body style	Sedan	Sedan
Drivetrain	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Fuel type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Engine type	gas	gas
Model year	2026	2022

Pricing & market

Spec	Mazda 32.5 S	Volkswagen PassatSE
MSRP	$24,550 (best)	$27,575
Lowest listing price	—	$8,520 (best)
Median listing price	—	$13,808 (best)
Highest listing price	—	$18,500 (best)
For sale now	0	8 (best)

Fuel economy & range

Spec	Mazda 32.5 S	Volkswagen PassatSE
Combined MPG	30 MPG (best)	28 MPG
City MPG	27 MPG (best)	24 MPG
Highway MPG	36 MPG	36 MPG
Fuel tank	13.2 gal	18.5 gal (best)

Performance

Spec	Mazda 32.5 S	Volkswagen PassatSE
Horsepower	186 hp (best)	174 hp
Torque	186 lb-ft	206 lb-ft (best)
Engine size	2.5 L (best)	2 L
Cylinders	I4	I4

Size & capability

Spec	Mazda 32.5 S	Volkswagen PassatSE
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Doors	4	4
Cargo volume	13.2 cu ft	15.9 cu ft (best)
Payload	—	948 lbs (best)
Curb weight	3,111 lbs (best)	3,314 lbs
Ground clearance	5.5 in (best)	—
Wheelbase	107.3 in	110.4 in (best)
Length	183.5 in	193.6 in (best)
Width	70.7 in	72.6 in (best)
Height	56.9 in	58.7 in (best)

Safety & recalls

Spec	Mazda 32.5 S	Volkswagen PassatSE
NHTSA overall	—	4 / 5 ★ (best)
Frontal crash (driver)	—	3 / 5 ★ (best)
Frontal crash (passenger)	—	3 / 5 ★ (best)
Side crash (driver)	—	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Side crash (passenger)	—	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Side pole	—	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Rollover	—	4 / 5 ★ (best)
Open recalls (YMM scope)	None reported	None reported

Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.

Trim overview

All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.

Trim	Mazda 3	Volkswagen Passat
1	2.5 S $24,550 MSRP(Currently comparing)	SE $27,575 MSRP(Currently comparing)
2	2.5 S $25,550 MSRP	R-Line $29,575 MSRP
3	2.5 S Select Sport $25,440 MSRP	Limited Edition $30,575 MSRP
4	2.5 S Select Sport $26,740 MSRP	—
5	2.5 S Preferred $27,090 MSRP	—
6	2.5 S Preferred $28,440 MSRP	—
7	2.5 S Carbon Edition $30,210 MSRP	—
8	2.5 S Carbon Edition $31,360 MSRP	—
9	2.5 S Premium $31,450 MSRP	—
10	2.5 Turbo Premium Plus $36,740 MSRP	—
11	2.5 Turbo Premium Plus $37,890 MSRP	—

Live inventory

Volkswagen Passat8 for sale

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