Compare the2026 Mazda 3VS 2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country

The Mazda 3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Mazda 3 and the V60 Cross Country have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda 3 is safer than the Volvo V60 Cross Country:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda 3 is safer than the Volvo V60 Cross Country:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Mazda 3 Sedan has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The V60 Cross Country has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the 3 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the V60 Cross Country. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the V60 Cross Country ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 2 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 3’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Mazda 3’s reliability 22 points higher than the V60 Cross Country.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 33 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 81 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 26th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 9 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (250 vs. 247) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the V60 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda 3 4 cyl. is faster than the Volvo V60 Cross Country (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 3 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda 3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The V60 Cross Country requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Mazda 3 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Mazda 3 stops much shorter than the V60 Cross Country:

The front and rear suspension of the Mazda 3 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V60 Cross Country, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Mazda 3 S Premium Hatchback handles at .88 G’s, while the V60 Cross Country pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Mazda 3’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the V60 Cross Country’s (34.8 feet vs. 37 feet).

The Mazda 3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 1050 pounds less than the Volvo V60 Cross Country.

The Mazda 3 Hatchback is 1 foot shorter than the V60 Cross Country, making the Mazda 3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mazda 3 has standard extendable sun visors. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Mazda 3 is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the V60 Cross Country, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Mazda 3 offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the V60 Cross Country.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Mazda 3 Carbon/Premium equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The V60 Cross Country, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Mazda 3 empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

The Mazda 3 comes in sedan and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Volvo V60 Cross Country isn’t available as a sedan or four door hatchback.

The Mazda 3 is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Mazda 3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Mazda 3 outsold the Volvo 60 Series by over two to one during 2024.