MINI Countryman vs Mazda 3
The MINI Countryman is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 98 mpg combined versus 33 mpg for the Mazda 3, a 65 mpg advantage and costs about $1,050 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the MINI Countryman leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
MINI Countryman
Midsize Cars · 75 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | MINI Countryman | Mazda 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 98 mpg ✓ | 33 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 101 mpg ✓ | 30 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 94 mpg ✓ | 40 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $800 ✓ | $1,850 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 175 g/mi ✓ | 266 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 1.6 | SIDI, SIDI; With Cylinder Deactivation, SIDI; Without Cylinder Deactivation, SIDI; with i-ELOOP Technology Package |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1), Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity, Premium, Premium and Electricity | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 75 | 97 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Countryman vs 3: common questions
Which is better on gas, the MINI Countryman or the Mazda 3?
The MINI Countryman is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 98 mpg combined versus 33 mpg for the Mazda 3, a 65 mpg advantage and costs about $1,050 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the MINI Countryman runs about $800 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $1,850 for the Mazda 3 — a difference of roughly $1,050 per year.
What engines do the Countryman and 3 offer?
MINI Countryman: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 1.6. Mazda 3: SIDI, SIDI; With Cylinder Deactivation, SIDI; Without Cylinder Deactivation, SIDI; with i-ELOOP Technology Package.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the MINI Countryman and the Mazda 3 as Midsize Cars, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: mini-countryman-vs-mazda-3