Mazda Mazda3 vs Toyota Corolla: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Toyota Corolla costs about $7,544 less

That's $105 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Mazda3 GX$956/moTrue cost

Corolla L CVT✓ $851/moTrue cost

2026 Mazda Mazda3

Closest matching trim: Mazda3 GX

Sticker (MSRP)$25,250

+$6,715→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$31,965

+ running costs→↓− $13,889 resale

True cost$956/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Toyota Corolla

Closest matching trim: Corolla L CVT

Sticker (MSRP)$25,020

+$6,544→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$31,564

+ running costs→↓− $15,727 resale

True cost$851/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$25,250	✓ $25,020	Corolla by $230
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,038	✓ $2,913	Corolla by $125
Sales tax (HST)	$3,677	✓ $3,631	Corolla by $46
Drive-away price	$31,965	✓ $31,564	Corolla by $401
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$13,057	✓ $11,216	Corolla by $1,841
Insurance (estimate)	$16,101	✓ $14,319	Corolla by $1,782
Maintenance (estimate)	$8,900	✓ $7,380	Corolla by $1,520
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$5,671	✓ $5,587	Corolla by $84
Lost return on your money	$6,903	✓ $6,825	Corolla by $78
Resale after 6 yrs	−$13,889	✓ −$15,727	Corolla by $1,838
Total
True cost	$68,800	✓ $61,256	Corolla by $7,544
True cost a month	$956/mo	✓ $851/mo	Corolla by $105
You pay each month	$983/mo	✓ $905/mo	Corolla by $78
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	3	3	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	✓ 374	371	—
Length	4.66 m	4.63 m	—
Ground clearance	—	13 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	55%	✓ 63%	—
US crash test	5★	5★	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Mazda3 GX $25,250Corolla L CVT ✓ $25,020Cheaper by Corolla by $230

Freight and fees, before tax

Mazda3 GX $3,038Corolla L CVT ✓ $2,913Cheaper by Corolla by $125

Sales tax (HST)

Mazda3 GX $3,677Corolla L CVT ✓ $3,631Cheaper by Corolla by $46

Drive-away price

Mazda3 GX $31,965Corolla L CVT ✓ $31,564Cheaper by Corolla by $401

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Mazda3 GX $13,057Corolla L CVT ✓ $11,216Cheaper by Corolla by $1,841

Insurance (estimate)

Mazda3 GX $16,101Corolla L CVT ✓ $14,319Cheaper by Corolla by $1,782

Maintenance (estimate)

Mazda3 GX $8,900Corolla L CVT ✓ $7,380Cheaper by Corolla by $1,520

Loan rate

Mazda3 GX 6.5%Corolla L CVT 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Mazda3 GX $5,671Corolla L CVT ✓ $5,587Cheaper by Corolla by $84

Lost return on your money

Mazda3 GX $6,903Corolla L CVT ✓ $6,825Cheaper by Corolla by $78

Resale after 6 yrs

Mazda3 GX −$13,889Corolla L CVT ✓ −$15,727Cheaper by Corolla by $1,838

Total

True cost

Mazda3 GX $68,800Corolla L CVT ✓ $61,256Cheaper by Corolla by $7,544

True cost a month

Mazda3 GX $956/moCorolla L CVT ✓ $851/moCheaper by Corolla by $105

You pay each month

Mazda3 GX $983/moCorolla L CVT ✓ $905/moCheaper by Corolla by $78

Practical

Fuel type

Mazda3 GX GasCorolla L CVT GasCheaper by —

Seats

Mazda3 GX 5Corolla L CVT 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Mazda3 GX 3Corolla L CVT 3Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Mazda3 GX ✓ 374Corolla L CVT 371Cheaper by —

Length

Mazda3 GX 4.66 mCorolla L CVT 4.63 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Mazda3 GX —Corolla L CVT 13 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Mazda3 GX 55%Corolla L CVT ✓ 63%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Mazda3 GX 5★Corolla L CVT 5★Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale for both is from their own used prices (unless you lease). Their stickers differ by $230.