Spec Sizes

Mazda Mazda3 vs Volkswagen Golf Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2016 catalog dimensions. Mazda Mazda3 · Volkswagen Golf

Same scale for both vehicles. Generic silhouette — proportional to measured length, height, width, wheelbase, and clearance.

Side view
  • Length175.6 in – 180.3 in
  • Height57.3 in
  • Wheelbase106.3 in
  • Ground clearance6.1 in
  • Curb weight2,865 lb – 3,028 lb
Front / width
  • Width70.7 in
  • Volkswagen Golf width70.5 in – 70.8 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: Volkswagen Golf is 10.4 in shorter (177.9 in vs 167.5 in)
  • Width: essentially the same
  • Height: Mazda Mazda3 is 0.1 in taller (57.3 in vs 57.2 in)
  • Wheelbase: Mazda Mazda3 has a 2.5 in longer wheelbase (106.3 in vs 103.8 in)
  • Ground clearance: Mazda Mazda3 has 0.7 in more ground clearance (6.1 in vs 5.4 in)
  • Curb weight: Volkswagen Golf is 16 lb heavier (2,947 lb vs 2,962 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Ground clearance: Mazda Mazda3 has 0.7 in more ground clearance (6.1 in vs 5.4 in)
  2. Length: Volkswagen Golf is 10.4 in shorter (177.9 in vs 167.5 in)
  3. Wheelbase: Mazda Mazda3 has a 2.5 in longer wheelbase (106.3 in vs 103.8 in)
  4. Curb weight: Volkswagen Golf is 16 lb heavier (2,947 lb vs 2,962 lb)
  5. Height: Mazda Mazda3 is 0.1 in taller (57.3 in vs 57.2 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageVolkswagen Golf — Volkswagen Golf is shorter by 10.4 in Check garage fit for Mazda Mazda3 · garage fit for Volkswagen Golf
  • More ground clearanceMazda Mazda3 — Mazda Mazda3 has 0.7 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintVolkswagen Golf — Based on length × width (Volkswagen Golf)

Dimension comparison

SpecMazda Mazda3Volkswagen GolfDifference
Length177.9 in167.5 in10.4 in
Width70.7 in70.7 in0.0 in
Height57.3 in57.2 in0.1 in
Wheelbase106.3 in103.8 in2.5 in
Ground clearance6.1 in5.4 in0.7 in
Curb weight2,947 lb2,962 lb16 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range (e.g. length 175.6 in – 180.3 in).

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

Already own one of these cars?

Jump to maintenance sizes on the vehicle page — tires, wipers, battery, and oil when present in the catalog.