Mazda 3

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Current Model

The Mazda3 is offered in sedan and hatchback forms. In our tests the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder and six-speed automatic worked well together.

The uplevel engine is a more powerful 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder. All-wheel drive is also available and is standard on the turbo. Handling is nimble, but the 3 is less sporty than in past generations. The ride is firm but steady, and the suspension absorbs impacts well, though the turbo version is stiffer. The cabin is relatively quiet and nicely finished, but the rear seat is snug. The driver interacts with the infotainment system exclusively through a rotary knob, rather than a touchscreen; we found this setup to be fussy and distracting to use.

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Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

See all 2024 Mazda 3 Ratings & Reliability

2019-2023

2019 Redesign Year

The redesigned Mazda3 is offered in sedan or hatchback forms. The sole engine is a carryover 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

All-wheel drive is now available. The interior is nicely furnished and features a new infotainment system that drivers interact with by using a screen exclusively through a rotary knob. Handling is still nimble but less sporty than in the previous 3. Mazda has improved the ride; it’s firm, but absorbs impacts well. The cabin is relatively quiet and nicely finished. There is an available Driver Monitoring System that watches the driver's face and sounds an alert to warn of fatigue. For 2021 a new 2.0-liter became the base engine, and a much more powerful 2.5-liter turbo is optional. The latter is coupled to all-wheel-drive.

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$18,075 - $27,975

Average Retail Price

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$16,305 - $26,950

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

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$16,900 - $26,700

Average Retail Price

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$14,695 - $25,605

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

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$15,925 - $25,075

Average Retail Price

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$13,240 - $23,780

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

GREEN CHOICE

GREEN CHOICE

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$15,775 - $22,125

Average Retail Price

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$13,010 - $20,335

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

GREEN CHOICE

GREEN CHOICE

View Local Cars for Sale

$14,025 - $20,575

Average Retail Price

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$11,255 - $18,605

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

2014-2018

2014 Redesign Year

Available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, the Mazda3 is a joy to drive, thanks to super-sharp handling, sprightly yet efficient engines, and smooth transmissions. Mazda's entry-level car also offers a number of features normally found on luxury cars, including a modern infotainment system; it is controlled by a console-mounted knob and can be somewhat frustrating.

Optional active safety features include forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert are standard on Touring and Grand Touring trims, a nice touch. Ride comfort takes a back seat to sporty handling and interior noise levels are a bit high. A 2017 update brought some improvement, as well as more features. The four-door hatchback has a good sized trunk, while the hatchback offers more flexibility; both have a somewhat cramped rear seat for the class.

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GREEN CHOICE

GREEN CHOICE

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$11,700 - $16,700

Average Retail Price

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$8,695 - $14,040

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

GREEN CHOICE

GREEN CHOICE

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$11,350 - $14,525

Average Retail Price

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$8,345 - $11,645

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

GREEN CHOICE

GREEN CHOICE

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$10,100 - $13,725

Average Retail Price

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$7,115 - $10,855

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

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$8,550 - $12,925

Average Retail Price

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$5,580 - $9,820

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

GREEN CHOICE

GREEN CHOICE

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$7,750 - $12,150

Average Retail Price

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$4,825 - $9,065

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

2010-2013

2010 Redesign Year

With its 2010 reboot, Mazda3 remained one of our top-scoring small cars. Just as with its predecessors, this version of the Mazda3 is gifted with agile handling and a well laid out passenger compartment hosting quality materials.

Still, while the interior is upgraded, the rear seating area remains a bit tight and road noise is somewhat pronounced. Stability control became standard for all trim lines beginning with the 2011 model year. For 2012, Mazda added a new 2.0-liter SKYACTIV engine and that boosted fuel economy to an impressive 32 mpg with the six-speed automatic transmission. A blind-spot detection system was made available for 2012.

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GREEN CHOICE

GREEN CHOICE

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$6,750 - $11,250

Average Retail Price

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$3,875 - $8,200

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

GREEN CHOICE

GREEN CHOICE

View Local Cars for Sale

$5,425 - $8,325

Average Retail Price

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$2,585 - $5,395

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

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$4,825 - $7,850

Average Retail Price

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$2,035 - $4,945

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

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$4,575 - $7,200

Average Retail Price

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$1,835 - $4,290

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

2004-2009

2004 Redesign Year

Available in sedan and hatchback body styles, the Mazda3 holds the distinction of being one of the better small car choices. Introduced for 2004 to replace the Protege, it features strong and refined four-cylinder engines, along with precise, responsive handling and a firm, but comfortable ride.

Interior quality is very good, though the cabin is noisy and the rear seat somewhat tight. If you're shopping in this model year range look for one with the available curtain airbags, as the Mazda3 received a Poor rating in the IIHS side-crash test without them. These were added as a standard feature for the 2009 model year, along with side airbags. Uplevel Touring and Grand Touring models have standard stability control, starting in 2007; these are the versions to get.

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$4,825 - $6,125

Average Retail Price

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$2,050 - $3,285

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

View Local Cars for Sale

$4,625 - $6,175

Average Retail Price

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$1,870 - $3,335

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

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$4,400 - $5,625

Average Retail Price

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$1,695 - $2,785

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

View Local Cars for Sale

$4,150 - $4,825

Average Retail Price

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$1,490 - $2,060

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

View Local Cars for Sale

$3,325 - $4,325

Average Retail Price

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$1,010 - $1,640

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

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$3,200 - $3,925

Average Retail Price

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$900 - $1,310

Trade-in Price

RELIABILITY VERDICT

OWNER SATISFACTION

OWNER REPORTED MPG

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