Used 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 cost?

Prices are up 4.58% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 624 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 a good car?

Generally — the 4.3/5 user rating and 7.83/10 expert rating point to a car that delivers strong overall appeal. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Drivers consistently praise the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 for its great fuel economy, reliability, fun driving experience, attractive design, and affordable features compared with competitors. That lines up well with the overview: you get a compact car that feels lively and rewarding, especially if driving enjoyment matters more to you than maximum cabin space.

The market also supports that appeal, with 29.2% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.3/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback highlights reliability, great fuel economy, and a fun driving experience, while the expert review also describes the car as a practical, efficient, and fun little car. The ownership-cost discussion adds that the model is viewed positively for reliability and long-term costs, which reinforces the case for dependable daily use.

If you buy used, the main long-term risk is less about mechanical drama and more about choosing a car that has been maintained well and still feels tight after years of use.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Mazda MAZDA3?

At 54.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a careful inspection of body panels, paint consistency, and signs of prior repair. Because this car’s appeal depends heavily on how well it drives and feels, pay close attention to the cabin condition, switchgear, and whether the car still feels refined on the road. If you’re considering a hatchback, also check whether the enclosed cabin feel and cargo setup work for your needs.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The car is offered as a sedan or hatchback, with Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims. The base Sport is the value play, while Touring and Grand Touring add more comfort and safety equipment; the Grand Touring brings the most upscale feel.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 155-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder or a 184-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. The smaller engine is the efficiency-minded choice, while the larger engine gives you stronger acceleration.
• Safety package: A blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on Touring and Grand Touring and optional on Sport. The Technology Package adds dynamic cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive HID headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and lane-departure warning.
• Infotainment: Mazda Connect is standard and includes Bluetooth with music streaming, HD Radio, satellite radio, Internet radio, selected social media access, text-message delivery and reply, and two USB ports. An Active Driving Display is included on top-shelf versions.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.0-liter engine returned 28.5 mpg in testing, while the 2.5-liter automatic returned 26.7 mpg.

Which 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 trim should I buy?

The 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 is offered in 3 trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the best-value trim if you want the Mazda3’s core driving character at the lowest entry point. It gives you the basics, and the available safety and equipment packages can make it a smart buy if you want to keep costs down.
• Touring: This is the trim to target if you want the strongest balance of value and equipment. It adds more standard safety content than Sport and gets you closer to the Mazda3’s more upscale personality without jumping all the way to the top trim.
• Grand Touring: Choose this if you want the most premium version of the car, especially if you value the added technology and comfort features. It’s the trim that best showcases the Mazda3’s upscale look and feel.

The safety package is strongest on Touring and Grand Touring, while Sport needs options to match them.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Mazda MAZDA3?

Act selectively, because this is still a seller’s market and the best listings can move quickly.

• Deal availability: 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 624 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 4.58% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 54.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $10,773, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3's resale value?

The current average of $11,986 sits slightly above last year's $11,461.

That upward move suggests the market still sees value in this model year, which can help support resale strength if you buy carefully and keep the car in good condition. The relatively tight year-round price band also suggests that clean, well-equipped examples should remain easier to sell than neglected ones.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.3/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 safe?

The 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 earns top crash-test ratings from the federal government and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

The car offers access to key safety technologies on all three trim levels. A blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on Touring and Grand Touring and optional on Sport. Mazda Connect also includes an E911 automatic emergency notification system. If you want the fullest safety feature set, the Technology Package on Grand Touring models with an automatic transmission adds dynamic cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive HID headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and lane-departure warning.

Should I buy a 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 54.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 4.58% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 combines engaging driving feel with strong safety and available tech.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $11,071, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $11,986 average.
• It delivers a more premium-feeling drive with strong all-around refinement.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $13,262, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $11,986 average.
• It adds a meaningful update with fresh styling and G-Vectoring Control.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and driving enjoyment, the 2016 is the right starting point. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2015 is worth a look; if you want the newer update and can spend more, the 2017 is the upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.